Daijiworld Media Network –Karkala (SM)

Karkala, Sep 11: The foundation stone was laid for Sabha Bhavan, a parish hall of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Kanjar near here on the auspicious occasion of the feast of nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary (Monthi Fest). 

The foundation stone was blessed by Fr Denis Prabhu, the vicar general of Mangalore Diocese.   Fr Sunil Menezes and Fr Richard Gomes SVD were the guests of honour.

After the blessing, Fr Denis Prabhu, Fr Alwyn D'Cunha, parish priest, Mable Nazareth, vice-president of parish pastoral council and Denis D'Souza, secretary of laid the foundation stone.

The proposed Sabha Bhavan will have a built-up area of 10,400 sq ft designed to accommodate at least 1,000 people during the wedding receptions and other social functions.

Later on, Fr Denis Prabhu blessed the "Novem" (new corn) beneath the Holy Cross erected on the "Madmal Kall". The altar boys, carried the image of Infant Mary, decorated with flowers and led the congregation in a ceremonial procession to the church. The children carrying their flower-filled baskets followed the procession and honoured Mother Mary by showering flowers all along the way during the procession. The entire congregation followed the procession with great reverence, singing hymns and carrying the blessed new corn (Novem).
 
Fr Denis Prabhu, the main celebrant offered the festive Holy Mass accompanied by con-celebrants Fr Sunil Menezes, Fr Richard Gomes SVD and Fr Alwyn D'Cunha.

At the end of the service Fr Alwyn thanked the guest priests and all the donors. The parish priest and Fr Denis Prabhu wished all the parishioners a very happy feast and invoked the blessings of Infant Mary on all.

In keeping up with the tradition, sugar cane was distributed to each and every one present.

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