Exclusive report by Viju Mangalore from Palimar [03.15pm, IST, Feb 20, 2006]
Pics by Praveen Tauro, Kulshekar
Udupi, Feb 20: Amidst festivities galore, the golden jubilee celebration of St Pius X Church Palimar took off on a colourful note on Monday February 20.
The celebration of the holy Eucharist by Bishop Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza set the day-long festivities rolling. A galaxy of priests concelebrated the Eucharist.
Later at a stage function, which marked the beginning of the cultural programme, Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and wife Blossom Fernandes adorned the center stage accompanied by MLC Blasius M D’Souza, vicar forane, Shirva Fr Valerian Pinto, parish priest Fr Valerian Rodrigues and vice president of the parish council Victor Fernandes.
A gesture of gratitude to the tireless efforts of those who brought this rural parish to its present stature was the honouring of the earlier parish priests.
On the occasion, the Bishop honoured Fr Peter Nazreth (1982-1986), Fr Hillary Sanctis (1986-1993), Fr Gregory Serrao (1993-2000) and Fr Victor D’Souza (2000-2005).
On being accorded the honour Fr Gregory Serrao who is presently the parish priest Belvai parish, recollected the pains undergone by late Fr Peter Lobo who set up the parish.
To mark the 50 glorious years of the parish a souvenir was released by union minister Oscar Fernandes. Speaking on the occasion he voiced the need to be prepared the youth to take opportunities in life. “The rising need for engineering and nursing schools calls for upgrading our education system. We need to increase the level of our IITs too, as there is rising demand in the market.
India is in a better position to cater to the demand for doctors, nurses and computer engineers outside the country, he added.
In reply to the plea to provide a railway crossing or a railway over bridge on the road connecting Palimar and Hejmadi, Oscar said “I will do it from the MP fund if it cannot be done through the railway department.”
Secretary of the parish council Renilda Pereira placed a brief history and a bird’s eye view of the activities of the parish before the guests.
A Rare Union: The jubilee celebrations brought together the 10 children (Out of 11) of late John and Christine D'Souza from various parts of the world.
The grand finale of the golden jubilee year preceeded several events. On February 12 the parish celebrated senior citizen’s say. On February 18 a mass for the departed was offered and a day of religious and confraternity Sunday was observed on Feb 19.
In a festive environs and with the feet tapping music by the brass band, all the parishioners, people from the neighbouring villages and guests shared the jubilee meal.