Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Jul 25: As part of the preparations for the annual feast of St Lawrence Church and Shrine, Bondel, scheduled to be celebrated on August 10, a large-scale cleanliness drive was organised on Saturday morning from Bondel to Maryhill.

The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from parishioners, youth, volunteers and students of Laxmi Shetty Memorial College of Nursing, who joined hands to clean the surroundings and promote environmental responsibility ahead of the annual celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Basil Vas, parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, said that cleanliness is closely linked to spirituality and that a clean environment creates a peaceful atmosphere for prayer and worship. He urged every household to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, stating that such collective efforts would help make Bondel and Mangaluru cleaner and greener.

The drive highlighted the Church's commitment to social responsibility and environmental awareness, encouraging the public to actively participate in keeping their neighbourhoods clean. Organisers expressed hope that the initiative would inspire more citizens to adopt cleanliness as a daily habit and contribute towards building a healthier and more sustainable community.

The annual feast of St Lawrence Church and Shrine, Bondel, will be celebrated on August 10, drawing thousands of devotees from across the region. The cleanliness campaign marked the beginning of the preparatory activities leading up to the grand celebration.