Edgar Cardoza
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (EC)
Udupi, Jul 26: The titular feast of St Anna’s Church, Thottam was celebrated with pomp on the festive occasion of St Joachim and St Anna, on Tuesday July 26. A celebratory Mass was held up honouring St Anna. The two saints are the parents of Mother Mary and the grandparents of Jesus Christ. The feast is also dedicated to all the grandparents in the Catholic Church.
The chief celebrant of the Mass, Fr Louis D’Sa, parish priest of Mukamar, in his homily said “The life led by these saints is an example to be followed in our life. The family life should be holy and valuable. It should be counted as a blessing from God. At the end of the day, a man should come back to his family to gain peace of mind from the earthly disturbances. It is every individual’s duty to love, lead and to protect their family. Today we need to check whether our families have become commercial. We need to see where have our families reached now. Modern families are in danger these days.”
“The Popes, since a long time, have been concentrating on upbringing the families in spiritual aspects along with the worldly aspects. A healthy family is considered to be the foundation of healthy Church. In his Letter to the World 'Amoris Laetitia- the joy of love', Pope Francis has asked the families to make provision for love to replace the hatred. When in any problem, let everyone come together and face it. Let our families be temples of holiness, a grace of God. Let us pray to our patron St Anna to be a guiding lamp and protector of our families.” Fr D'SA added.
Fr Francis Cornelio, parish priest, Thottam welcomed and thanked all the gathered. Fr Stany B Lobo, Dean, Kallianpur deanery, asked everyone to give love and take care of their grandparents in their old age.
14 priests took part in the Eucharistic celebrations.
Oswald Vas and family, Thottam, Bahrain were the sponsors of this titular feast. The festive occasion also witnessed the inauguration of the new parish website www.stannathottam.com. The website was designed by the parishioners Leslie Aroza and Kevin Almeida.