Steevan Colaco
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)
Udupi, May 13: The dual celebrations comprising the 50th anniversary and the inauguration of the newly renovated St John the Baptist Church, Kelmbet, were held here on Tuesday May 13.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, offered mass and blessed the renovated church.
Fr Roshan Menezes read the Gospel and gave a sermon on the occasion.
The mass was followed by a stage programme presided over by the bishop. Justice B V Pinto, chief justice of Karnataka high court, Dr Leo Francis Tauro, professor, Father Muller Medical
College, and minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who were present on the occasion, were felicitated by the bishop.
Speaking after unveiling the golden jubilee souvenir, Vinay Kumar Sorake lauded the Christian missionaries for sowing the seeds of education for people from all walks of life. "Though the Christian population is small, the contribution of the community towards education is huge," he added.
Bishop Dr Gerald called upon the parishioners to express their gratitude to god for divine blessings. He recalled the history of the church and said, "The celebration of golden jubilee of this church is an opportunity to express our gratitude to god and rejoicing in its achievements over the past 50 years."
He said a jubilee involves reminiscing the past, paying tribute, compromising, showing the path of righteousness, and the celebration itself. He appreciated and congratulated the priests, nuns and the parishioners of Kelmbet on achieving this milestone.
Former priests and nuns who had served the parish were also felicitated along with donors.
More than 50 youth of the parish have become priests and all of these who were present on the occasion, were felicitated by the bishop as were the sponsors of the programme.
Fr Raymond Lopes, parish priest of the Church, Fr Maxim D’Souza, director of Don Bosco Youth Center, Shirva, Fr Reginald Pinto, former parish priest of the Church, John Abreo, secretary of the parish pastoral council and others were present.