Bishop Aloysius Paul to Bless Renovated Kanajar Church on Nov 29
Daijiworld Media Network— Karkala
Karkala, Nov 24: On Monday November 29, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore diocese will inaugurate the renovated church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Kanajar. Kanajar parish has 400 Catholic families and this makes it a significant worship center in Karkala deanery. Parish priest Fr Alwyn D’Cunha had taken up the task of refurbishing the church to expand the interior for large gatherings of the faithful during Sunday Masses, to enhance the beauty of the dome, and to repair the roof.
The dome of the refurbished church is 84 feet height and 59 feet in breadth. The portico leading to the main altar has been laid with marble. The Holy Sacrament is placed on a high altar on the left side of the main altar in Kanajar church for general worship while a separate altar is erected on the right side.
The church was established in 1938 by the relentless efforts of Moodubelle assistant parish priest Fr William Anthony Lewis. Fr Lewis embarked on a mission to build the church for the spiritual needs of Catholics residing in Neere, Bailoor, Yarlampady, Koudoor, Palli, and Nijoor villages, who were hitherto depended on Moodubelle and Attur parishes. It was the most artistically built church in the entire Mangalore diocese at the time. It is significant that the Hindu brethren also supported the construction of the church in various ways. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that arrived from France in 1947 was erected at Kanajar church and was successful in attracting the faithful to seek Her intercession.
A grotto of a model derived from Lourdes in France where Mother Mary appeared to a poor shepherd girl Bernadet Subiro, in the pristine surroundings during 1858, has been erected on Kanajar church premises. The stream tickling from the spot of Mother Mary’s appearance in Lourdes is revered by the innumerable pilgrims for its miraculous powers. A similar stream has been created at Kanajar parish where pilgrims from all over Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts take home the tiny bottles of sacred water and use it fr the curing prperties it is believed to contain.
The head-load offerings from the parishioners of 14 wards, as well as Muslim and Hindu brethren residing in the neighbourhood, will be brought in on Saturday November 27 at 11.30 am as part of the inaugural of the renovated church. The head-load offerings will be ceremoniously accepted at the church in the presence of gram panchayat presidents of Neere, Bailoor, and Palli villages.
Fr Joseph Martis, rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, will lead the Eucharistic celebration and procession on Sunday November 28.
A felicitation programme will be held at Kanajar Souharda Bhavan on Monday at 12.30 pm presided over by Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
Udupi deanery Episcopal vicar Fr Baptist Menezes, state minister for higher education Dr V S Acharya, Karkala MLA H Goapal Bhandary, and Karkala deanery vicar Fr John A Barboza will be the guests of honour on the occasion.
Parish Priest Fr Alwyn D'Cunha
A candlelight procession of parishioners with the statue of Mother Mary will be held as part of the parish annual day celebrations on Tuesday November 30 at 6.30 pm.
Paladka parish priest Fr Herald Pereira will lead the Eucharistic celebration and it will be followed by a homily in Kannada and a display of fireworks.
Udupi deanery Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) director and Kota parish priest Fr Pascal Menezes will lead the Eucharistic Mass to celebrate with the parish youth on Wednesday December 1.