News by Gretta Moras, Photos by Jery Mathias, Kinnigoli
 
Mangalore, May 3: The blessing  of the Renovated Church Building and the Adoration Chapel of St. Roque's  Church  Neerude was held on 1st May 2008.

On this occasion Bishop of Mangalore Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'souza celebrated the Holy Eucharistic Mass at 4.00 p m in the evening. In his meaningful homily, he spoke about two temples people usually build -one  built for God externally with stones ,sand and other materials and the other one built for God internally in our hearts with love. He called upon the people to visit the renovated church  to pray and build the internal temple for God, for which masons and workers are not required ,but good Christian  life  is essential.

After the mass felicitation programme was conducted in the school premises. The children of St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School welcomed the gathering with a beautiful welcome dance. Rev. Fr Ronald D'souza,  Parish priest of Neerude welcomed the gathering. Then the Bishop felicitated those who contributed more than Rs. 1,00,000 for the renovation work of the church. He also congratulated the parish priest for his noble and hard work and appreciated his simple living. On behalf of all the people gathered, Bishop garlanded the Parish priest and thanked him for undertaking such a wonderful work, which will be remembered by each and everyone for ever.
Mr. Abhayachandra  Jain, Ex MLA felicitated all the donors who have contributed more than Rs 50,000 for the good work. He said let this church be a holy place of Christians for giving thanks to the Lord for his divine blessings.

Amaranth Shetty distributed mementos  for those who contributed more than Rs.25,000. He recollected the work of Christian missionaries  in bringing positive change in the society  and praised the good work undertaken by the people of Neerude.

Fr Lawrence Martis, who had served Neerude for seven years as parish priest said ,those seven years were very precious in his life and he has gained lot of experience ,which will be cherished by him for ever. He thanked the people of Neerude  for giving him wonderful co-operation  and also requested to give the same co-operation to the present priest. He also praised the parish priest for undertaking the work of renovation with zeal and enthusiasm.

Fr Alfred Pinto, Vicar Forane of Kinnigoli Deanery congratulated the people of Neerude for the memorable work undertaken. He also recollected his stay and love of people when he served Neerude as its parish priest.
Joseph Mascarenhas ,vice president of Parish Pastoral Council proposed vote of thanks. Felix Pinto and Oswald D'souza compered the programme. Refreshments were served to all after the mass. Immediately after the stage programme a tutu drama composed  by Vijay Kumar, Kodialbail was arranged for entertaining the people. The drama was sponsored by ICYM Neerude. At the end Vincent Moraes, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council thanked each and everyone for their love and co-operation and the function was concluded at 10.30 p m