Udupi: The newly-built Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte Kallianpur was solemnly inaugurated on Tuesday January 6.
Prior the Eucharistic Mass the newly-built Church was inaugurated by Jerry Vincent Dais and Molly Dias vice president of parish pastoral council by cutting the ribbon. Bishop of Jaipur Dr Oswald Lewis opened the main door and blessed.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza Bishop of Mangalore Diocese concelebrated the solemn inaugural thanks giving mass along with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi, Dr Leo Cornelio Archbishop of Bhopal, Dr Oswald Lewis, Bishop of Jaipur, Dr Gerald John Mathias Bishop of Lucknow and Fr Philip Neri Aranha parish priest of Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte.
There was a brief felicitation programme after the Mass. Jerry Vincent Dais Vice President of the Church welcomed the gathering and Fr Philip Neri Aranha parish priest of Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte delivered the introductory remarks. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza Bishop of Mangalore Diocese inaugurated the stage programme by releasing the balloons.
In his message Bishop Aloysius said that, church is a place for worship and not attraction. We should build our society in such a way as to become a model to others. We Catholics should give importance to shaping our family life and also help the poor and needy in the society.
Vinay Kumar Sorake district minister in-charge in his message said that, Christians have played a prominent role in the development of the nation by promoting quality education. Their role in the twin districts of promoting education and health care is needed to be appreciated. The Attur feast and Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka will be celebrated with great pomp as the district administration has planned to celebrate the same like the state festivals. A tourism corridor from Shirva to Malpe St Marys Island has been proposed to the State Government. A total budget of rupees 150 crores has been proposed in 2015-16 fiscal state budget by the Congress led State Government, he added.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address said that The entire parish should act like one family and live in unity and harmony. If there is unity there would be strength. Family prayers will bring the members closer to each other and it will help to strengthen the bond in the family. We should bridge the gaps between the families which will strengthen the church and our devotional life. We should strive for the upliftment of the poor and the needy and then we can fill in new spirit and happiness in our society, he added.
Former parish priests, assistant parish priest, vice presidents, secretaries, Donors were honoured on the occasion. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo released the Souvenir. Dn Royson Fernandes read out the papal blessings.
Rajyasabha MP Oscar Fernades, MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, Former MLA U R Sabhapathi and Jamia Mosque Udupi president Budan Bhasha, the chief guests of the function hailed the contribution of the Christian institutions in the field of education, health and social service and also extended their best wishes.
Fr Stany B Lobo, Dean Kallianpur Deanery; Sr Loura Rodrigues, Superior Goretti Convent; Ivan D’Souza MLC; Sathish Nayak, president Kallianpur Grama Panchayat; Jayaprakash Hegde, former MP; Raghupathi Bhat, former MLA and Janrdhan Tonse; former ZP member were present.
Richard Dais secretary of parish pastoral council deliverd the vote of thanks. Werner D’Silva and Mertel Lewis compered the programme.