Udupi Diocese News

News by  : Kevin Rodrigues (Daijiworld Udupi)
Pics by : Life Digitals 

Karkala , May 11  : The inauguration of the newly renovated church and golden jubilee celebrations of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Nirmalpadav , Parapady were held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebrations and blessed the renovated church. Fr Vincent Lobo, parish priest, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church Parapady; Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery; Fr George D'Souza, Fr Assisi Rebello, Fr Pascal Menezes, Fr Vijay Lobo, Fr Alex Aranha, Fr Denis Lobo, Pilar Fathers, Goa, and Fr John Stany D’Silva, diocese of Bareilly were the co- celebrants.

The new grotto of Our Lady of Succour was inaugurated by Stany Dian Pinto, Neerude and blessed by Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery. The newly built belfry tower was inaugurated by Jerome D’Silva and family and blessed by Dr Gerald Issac, Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi.

In his homily, Bishop Dr Gerald Issac said, “As we celebrate the golden jubilee of this church, it is a happy occasion for us. The theme of this day is also jubilee celebration. The Jews used to celebrate Sabbath on the seventh day and celebrate the day together. It was also a day of rest for them. Jubilee year is a remembrance. When we look back the past fifty years, there is the sacrifice of priests, the efforts of our ancestors and dedication of people which brought forth this glorious jubilee celebration.

“Jubilee is a call to change the life and increase our faith. John Baptist had appealed people to change their life and spoke about Jesus Christ. And this jubilee year, we too have the same call to repent our sins and live a good life. Jubilee is a sign of forgiveness; let it not be just for name sake. Let us forgive each other and help the needy and poor. Jubilee is a call to lead the life in the way of God, to live according to God's will and be with God through prayer. It is sacrifice and forgiveness like the way St Paul followed God. His life changed when God spoke to him. From Saul, he became Paul and later witnessed God through his life.
“Finally jubilee is a celebration. It is holy and indeed a blessing from God and that is why we are part of it. May God bless us all in this jubilee year and lead us in his path. Let us thank our patron and God on this day and live according to the word of God,” he concluded.

Bishop Dr Gerald Issac Lobo felicitated Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery on the occasion. Receiving the honor Fr Joswey said, “I thank everyone for the love you have shown towards me. This church came into existence in the year 1968. This is the fruit of hard work of people. In 50 years, the church has been nurtured well. The achievements done here are not to impress anyone, but are due to the blessings of God. This church has created a landmark. People were poor and agriculture was their sole income, but due to their sacrifice, this church came into existence. We also remember the priests who gave their selfless service in these 50 years.

“I congratulate the Fr Vincent Lobo who has been the backbone of this church in his tenure and has beautifully renovated this church and also the surroundings. May God bless this place and people serving here,” he said.

Bishop Dr Gerald Issac Lobo also felicitated the former priest of the church Fr Rosario Fernandes, Fr Denis Lobo, Pilar Fathers, Goa, Fr John Stany D’Silva, diocese of Bareilly and second priest from the parish, and the nuns from the parish Sr Brigith D’Silva, Sr Precilla D’Silva, Sr Irene D'Souza, Sr Laveena D'Souza, Sr Leena Mathais, Sr Christine Mathais, Sr Serena Lobo, Sr Agnes Lobo, Sr Melania D’Sa, Sr Helen D’Sa, Sr Irene D’Sa, Sr Juliana Tellis, Sr Martin Saldhana, Sr Felix Aranha, Sr Nelly Cardoza, and Sr Rashmitha.

Contractor Jerald D’Silva, engineer Shashidhar Pai, Harshith, Maurice Pinto, Stany Diana Pinto, donor of Church grotto, John Anitha D’silva, sponsor of the Jubilee celebration meal, past vice-presidents, secretaries and also people who had served the church pastoral council previously were also felicitated on the occasion.

Church bulletin ‘Nirmal’ was unveiled by Fr Denis Lobo, and Fr John Stany D’Silva, diocese of Bareilly along with the editor Joslin Lobo.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Dr Gerald Issac Lobo said, “In our Indian tradition, God plays an important role in one’s life. This is a place where God lives and it is a holy place which builds a relationship between God and us. Many faithful come to the place of God with their intentions and difficulties and keep them in front of God and find internal peace.

“When we see this church, we will be surprised along with being happy, surprised because a beautiful shape has been given to this renovated church. It is the sacrifice of people, and hard work of our ancestors. We also see beautiful greenery in the surroundings. We remember the work of the former priests. I appreciate his dedication towards this selfless work. I am thankful to all the donors who have sacrificed their earnings to build this church. May this church be a place which will unite everyone beyond religions. May Mother Mary shower her choicest blessings on all of us.

Lakshmi Shetty, president, Nitte panchayat; Hemalatha Ravi Salian, member, Nitte panchayat; Ronald D’Sa, vice-president, parish pastoral council;  Precilla Lobo, secretary, parish pastoral council, and Jacintha D’Sa, co-ordinator, 18 commissions were present on the occasion.

Ronald D’Sa, vice-president, parish pastoral council welcomed the gathering, Fr Vincent Lobo, parish priest, rendered the vote of thanks, and Anitha D’Sa and Gretta Castelino compered the programme.

The felicitation programme began with a prayer song. Precilla Lobo, secretary, parish pastoral council read out the report of the church. Donors and sponsors were honored on the occasion.