Manipal: The newly-built Christ Church was solemnly inaugurated here on December 5.
Prior to the Eucharistic Mass, the plaque of the church was unveiled by the main donors Hillary and Lorna Pinto, who also inaugurated the church corridor. Jerry Vincent Dias and his wife inaugurated the grotto of the Divine Mercy while Walter and Thelma Almeida inaugurated the grotto of Mother Mary, the fountain of Baptism was inaugurated by Julian and Cynthia Lewis.
Later the newly-built Church was inaugurated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese along with Fr Francis Lewis by opening the main door of the church. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo celebrated the Eucharistic mass and blessed the church.
In his homily Dr Francis Serrao bishop of Shimoga said that true worship is surrender of hearts to God. Inner attitude of praise, reverence and surrender refines our closeness towards God. Our worship is a mixture is external and internal expressions. We should focus on building the living body of Jesus by strengthening faith in our community. We have miles to go in building the living body of Jesus Christ in our life. Love, justice, care, fellowship and sharing remains our expression of belief in building the living body of Jesus in our lives.
There was a brief felicitation programme after the Mass. Fr Francis Lewis Parish priest of the Church welcomed the gathering. Former parish priests, vice presidents, secretaries and Donors were honoured on the occasion.
In his presidential message Bishop Gerald praised the hard work of the parish priest, parish pastoral council and all the people who were involved in the Church building project. The entire parish should act like one family and live in unity and harmony. If there is unity there would be strength. We should build our society in such a way as to become a model to others, he added.
Pramila Fernandes Vice president, Joyce D’Souza Secretary parish pastoral council, Ward Gurkars Hazlet Lewis, Violet D’Souza, Anita Monis, Lawrence Fernandes, Abden Sequiera were present.
