Daijiworld Media Network - Mainalli
Mainalli (Uttar Kannada), Nov 5: The newly renovated Mother of God Church at Mainalli Mundagod in Uttar Kannada district was blessed on October 31 by the bishop of Belgaum and apostolic administrator of Karwar diocese, Derek Fernandes. The provincial of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ inaugurated the Church.
Mainalli is located around 19 km away from Mundagod taluk headquarters. The Mother of God Church here is managed by Jesuits priests under their Mundgod-Hangal Mission service. Jesuit priests here are serving to the spiritual needs of the people.
In his homily Bishop Derek Fernandes said, "Everyone has some important thing in their life, but more than anything the temple, place where we meet God is the important thing in our life. If there is God in our life we will be able to receive everything. Eucharist is the powerhouse for us. Our every day's prayer should invite God in our lives. This renovated Church should be a centre point where we can meet the Almighty. We should be ever ready to receive God in our hearts. We need to invite God in our hearts with a open heart" he said.
Fr Melwyn Pinto SJ, rector St Aloysius College Mangaluru, Fr Francis Menezes SJ, parish priest, Mother of God Church Mainalli and other priests of Karnataka province along with priests of Sirsi deanery and the faithful took part in the Eucharistic celebrations.
A formal thanksgiving function was also held on the occasion.
In his thanksgiving note Fr Francis Menezes said, "The first inspiration for this renovation work was by Most Rev Derek Fernandes, the bishop of Belgaum. We wanted to build this church with very good quality and with the help of all the parishioners. The foundation stone was laid on September 11, 2019. We were not able to begin the work due to the heavy rain and flood. Finally On November 15, 2019 the renovation work was begun. With the funds from bishop and provincial and from various other sources the church work began. Due to the Covid pandemic we had to cease the work for short while. After May 2020, with the great support from people of Mainahalli and Mundagod the work restarted.”
He also thanked all the donors and sponsors who contributed for the project.
Bishop Derek Fernandes was honoured on the occasion. In his address, he said, “I congratulate all the parishioners along with parish priest for completing this project successfully. I feel proud that this church will encourage everyone to pray more and more. There are many generous people who have contributed for the project. The church must be maintained and that lies on all of us. We come to Church to meet God.”
Fr Dionysius Vaz, provincial, Society of Jesus, addressing the gathering said, "I have worked in Mundagod mission for three terms. I thank the bishop for blessing this church. In upcoming days more and more youths from Siddhi community should come forward to attain higher education. This church will be a den of prayers," he said.
Fr Dionysius Vaz, Fr Melwyn Pinto Fr Sujay Daniel, and Fr Francis Menezes were honoured on the occasion.
Fr Alwyn D'Souza, assistant parish priest, Monthes, vice president, parish pastoral committee, sisters of Holy Cross congregation and parishioners were present on the occasion.