Kundapur : St Pius Church, Piusnagar - Closing Ceremoney of Golden Jubilee
Report and Pictures by Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network

Kundapur, Jan 15: The five days Golden Jubilee celebrations of St. Pius X Parish at Piusnagar (Halehalve or Hanglur), near Kundapur from 10th  to 14th  January 2010 ended with the solemn Eucharistic celebration that coincided with the annual parish feast on Thursday, 14th January 2010.  Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore concelebrated the feast Mass along with 35 priests. The valedictory function following the solemn feast mass brought down the curtains for the five days Golden Jubilee celebrations of St. Pius X Parish.

The Piusnagar parish was originally a part of the Kundapur parish. Realising the difficulties of the people of Halehalve also known as Hanglur the priests from Kundapur established a small chapel in 1955.  Late Albert Menezes had played a prominent role in getting a separate parish at Halehalve.  It was on 25th October 1958 that a separate parish was constituted and Fr. Casmir D’Sa was appointed as the first parish priest of the Church dedicated to St. Pius X.  He started the construction of the church building that was completed in 1961 during the tenure of late Fr. Antony D’Souza as the parish priest and was blessed and dedicated by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Most. Rev. Dr. Raymond D’Mello on 10th April 1961. As there was dispute between two groups regarding the naming of the parish-one supporting the name as Halehalve and the other in favour of Hanglur, Fr. Antony D’Souza decided to tread a neutral path and named the parish as Piusnagar after the name of the patron saint, St. Pius X.

Prior to the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the parish, the renovation of the church building was undertaken by Fr. John Walter Mendonca, the present parish priest under the guidance and suggestions of Fr.  Vincent Martis, the parish priest of Sasthan. The thoroughly renovated and enlarged beautiful new church was blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza on 1st December 2009.

The Golden Jubilee Celebrations of St. Pius X parish were planned to coincide with the annual parish feast. Hence, the five days celebrations began with the Confraternity Sunday on 10th January 2010, which was also observed as the Parish Day. Following the mass and procession, the former Vice-Presidents and Secretaries of the Parish Pastoral Council, Gurkars of Wards and distinguished achievers of the parish were felicitated. This was followed by fellowship meal for all the parishioners.

On Monday 11th January 2010, Vocational Day was celebrated by honouring the priests, nuns and religious who belonged to the parish. Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes, the Vicar General of Aurangabad Diocese who is from Piusnagar celebrated the Mass. It is rare occasion that four members of the same family were honoured for being in the service of God and the church. They are: Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes and his three sister-Sr. Milicinta (AC), Sr. Noreen (AC) and Sr. Caroline (Sisters of the Holy Cross of Chavanod).

While celebrating the Golden Jubilee, the parishioners did not forget their departed brothers and sisters. A day of commemorating the dead was observed on Tuesday 12th January 2010. The cemetery was decorated with around 200 oil lamps and different families had decorated the graves of their dear and near ones with flowers and candles. Parishioners went in procession to the cemetery and prayer service was held in memory of the departed souls of the parishioners.

On Wednesday, 13th January 2010 vespers (Besp) was conducted in the evening. The vespers service was led by Fr. Vincent D’Souza, the former parish priest of St. Pius X church. The prayer service and sermon were followed by colourful fireworks.

The closing function of this grand Golden Jubilee Celebrations was held on Thursday, 14th January 2010 which was also the day of the annual parish feast. At around 9.30 AM, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza was received by the parish priest,  Fr. John Walter Mendonca, Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes, Mr. Wilfred D’Souza, the Vice-President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Leena Tauro, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, the Altar Servers and the parishioners and was taken in procession to the church to the accompaniment of  the band.

Dr. Aloysius D’Souza concelebrated the solemn jubilee and feast Mass  and also delivered the homily highlighting the five important points that the parishioners should keep in mind while celebrating the Golden Jubilee of their parish: remembering the past history of their parish, repenting for the weaknesses and shortcomings, forgiving and living with each other as one family,  following the path of truth and justice and celebrating the achievements during the past fifty years.

Following the Mass, the valedictory function was arranged in front of the church. Fr. John Walter Mendonca welcomed the Bishop and the guests. Leena Tauro, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council read the report of development of the parish during the past fifty years. The former parish priests-Fr. Vincent D’Souza, Fr. Maxim Noronha and Fr. Wilfred Gonsalves were honoured by the Bishop by presenting them shawl, garland, tray of fruits and a memento. Similarly, Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes and Fr. Vincent Martis, parish priest of Sasthan were also honoured.  A number of donors were felicitated for their monetary contribution towards the renovation of the church and celebration of the Golden Jubilee. In his address Bishop Dr. Aloysius D’Souza appreciated the people of  Piusnagar for celebrating the Golden Jubilee of their parish in a befitting manner.

The entire programme was compeered by Sharmila Menezes and Vote of thanks was proposed by Wilfred D’Souza, Vice-President of the Parish Pastoral Council. 

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