Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (KR)
Udupi, Apr 28: The reconstructed St Francis Xavier Church at Udyavar here was inaugurated on Thursday April 28 by the bishop of Jabalpur diocese Dr Gerald Almeida by cutting the ribbon.
Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Kalaburagi and Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese unveiled the marble block in front of the church. Thereafter, the three bishops together opened the main entrance.
Prior to this, Fr Gerald Almeida blessed the new grotto in front of the church while Henry Almeida and his family inaugurated it.
Dr Gerald Issac Lobo presided over the main Eucharistic celebrations while Dr Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur diocese, and Fr Robert Miranda, bishop of Kalaburagi participated as concelebrants. Priests from the deanery, diocese and outside of the diocese, native priests took part in the celebrations.
Religious priests, nuns and a large number of parishioner gathered to witness this historic event.
Prior to this, bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed the church premises with holy water.
Dr Robert Miranda in his homily expressed his joy and happiness as a native of Udupi, and thanked all the parishioners for the wonderful construction of the Church for the devotees. "Church is a place were all holy sacraments are given from birth to death," he said.
"Priests, nuns and individuals should actively take part in spreading the word of God. We have to come together to build the Catholic Church. Today our families are becoming smaller and we are facing shortage of priests and nuns to spread His word. We need to think seriously on this.
"To build a lively church, we need to be holy. It is wonderful that we are blessed with this beautiful church in the Year of Mercy. Let God's mercy be upon all of us," he blessed.
Bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Lobo blessed the altar. Bishop Dr Gerald Almeida blessed the walls of the church, doors and the altar with holy oil.
After the Eucharisitic celebration, felicitation programme was held which began with a welcome song by the members of the Church choir.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the function, while Dr Robert Miranda, Dr Gerald D'Almeida, Fr Fred Mascarenhas, dean of Udupi deanary, Abhayachandra Jain, minister for sports, Blossom Oscar Fernandes, Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, Udupi and parliamentary secretary, Ivan D'Souza, MLC, Sugandhi Shekhar, president, Udyavar gram panchayat, Veronica Cornelio, chairperson, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, Fr Antony Mendonca, KAS (retd), private secretary to state minister of minor irrigation, George Castelino Nakre, member, Karnataka govement Chrisian Development Committee, Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld, U Ranghanath Bhat, priest of Sri Siddivinayaka Temple, Udyavar, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Rehamani, of Jamia Masjid Udyavar, Haji Abdul Jaleel Saheb, president of Halima Sabju Auditorium Trust, Udyavar, Dr Jerry Vincent Dias, managing director, Mandavi Developers, Gerald Pereira, president of Udyavarites Dubai, Melwyn Noronha and John Fernandes, along with Udyavar parish priest Fr Roque D'Souza, parish pastoral council vice-president Lawrence D'Sa, vice-president, and secretary Michael D'Souza were present on the dias.
Dr Roque D’Souza in his introductory note said, "Fr Charles Noronha started the preparation to reconstruct the historical church for the third time in the same place. The new church has come up due to the efforts of Melwyn Noronha as the coordinator of the 12-member core committee, John Fernandes as head of the finance committee and Marcel Rodrigues as the labour contractor in-charge, architect Danny Pinto, along with assistance from A G Associates Udupi."
Dr Gerald D’Ameida read out the Papal blessings on the occasion and said, "God will surely bless us for the sacrifices we have done so far. Let His grace shower upon our society, our neighbours and strengthen us to serve more."
Dr Gerald D'Almedia and Dr Robert Miranda were honoured on the occasion by parish priest Fr Roque on behalf of the parishioners. Various dignitaries, donors and sponsors were felicitated on the occasion by Dr Gerald Lobo, bishop of Udupi.
In his presidential address, bishop Dr Gerald said, "Today, a long-cherished dream of the Catholic devotees of Udyavar has come true. Church is not just a building, it is a place of love, faith and struggle. Because of the struggle of many, a new building is standing here today. Devotees come here to thank God for His blessings and make offerings. This is a place where devotees are blessed.
"There should not be any needy in the diocese, all should have basic facilities because they too are part of the churches of the diocese," he urged.
Abhaychandra Jain in his address said many people have put in hard efforts and contributions to construct this church. He appreciated their work and conveyed his wishes to all the devotees.
Pramod Madhwaraj in his address said, "This Church and this moment have become historic with the presence of three bishops and leaders from all communities who have come together for the inauguration of the Church.
"The 4-acre land of the Church is spread across three revenue village panchayat and two assemblly constituencies, which means that not only Christians but people from all communities have supported the construction the new Church. Udyavar has been known for its religious harmony from hundreds of years and I witnessed that harmony today when I entered the Church and saw devotees from various communities offering prayers," he added.
Ivan D'Souza in his address quoted former President the late A P J Abdul Kalam, who had said that the Christian community, despite being less than 3 percent of the total population in India, has done 97 percent of the social service. "Only the Christian community has reached the last person in the society. In this regard, maximum credit goes to religious priests, nuns and the devotees," he added.
"After constructing the new Church we need to maintain peace and harmony in it. Let this Church unite various communities under one roof," he added.
The 12-member core committee led by Melwyn Noronha, coordinator, John D'Souza, secretary, Lawrance D’Sa, vice-president of pastrol ccouncil, Michael D'Souza, secretary of pastrol council, John Fernandes of finance committee and other members namely R P Monis, Godfrey D'Souza, Patrick D'Silva, Clifford D'Souza, Xavier D'Souza, Alwyn D'Souza and Roshan Crasta were felicitated by the bishop of Udupi.
Fr Fred Mascarenhas released the souvenir.
On the occasion, designers, structural consultants, contractors, namely Danny Pinto, Yogish Chandra Dar and Gopal Bhat, Marcel Rodrigues and Sons, Alphonse Alva, Shamraya Archaya and Sons, Narshin, Anil D'Souza, Bhaskar Poojary, Victor Daya Lobo, Vardhaman Fabrications, Simons for statues, Willaim Pais of Orchids for the paintings, were felicitated by Dr Gerald Lobo.
Parishioners together felicitated parish priest Fr Roque D'Souza.
Bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Lobo was also felicitated on the occasion for his constant support.
Lawrence D'Sa welcomed the gathering, Dr Roque D'Souza welcomed the guests with bouquets, while Michael D'Souza narrated a brief history of 150 years of Udyavar Church. Puspha Tauro, John D'Souza, Shanta Fernandes compered the programme, while John M D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks.