Udupi/M’Belle: Vespers on the eve of the Annual Parish Feast observed in St. Lawrence Church

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 04 Jan 2017: Vespers on the eve of the most anticipated Annual Parish Feast of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle was observed with devotion and fervour on Tuesday, 3 January 2017 from 6.30 pm to 8 pm. Procession to the Cross Hill, sermon in Kannada language, Vespers service and homily in Konkani and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament marked the solemnity and significance of the Vespers service.

 

At 6.30 pm, people went in procession to the Cross hill accompanied by the brass band. The ICYM Youth carried the ‘Cherel’ of St. Lawrence and placed it on a special table. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas blessed and incensed the Cherel. Thereafter, Fr. William Martis read a passage from the Gospel according to St. Mathew and  delivered sermon in Kannada on the theme of Holy Family referring to Joseph, Mary and Jesus and their respective role in the family, the spirit of understanding and caring displayed by Joseph, the stand taken by Mary till the crucifixion of Jesus and the role of Jesus in the redemption of humanity.

 

 

Soon after the end of the sermon in Kannada, all people returned to the church in procession carrying lighted candles. The procession descended from the hill to the main road and entered the church premises through the main entrance.

 

Fr. Roshan D’Souza, former Assistant Parish priest of Moodubelle conducted the Vespers service in the church. After reading a passage from the Gospel of St. John, Fr. Roshan  highlighted the importance of the Word of God in the life of individuals. Referring to the ‘demonetization  that  the Modi Government had undertaken, Fr. Roshan said that soon after the announcement people began to rush to the banks to exchange or deposit their old 500 and 1000 notes. However, when St. John the Baptist asked the people to repent  or even today  one finds very few people rushing to ‘remonetise’ their lives.  Fr. Roshan further said that the Word of God would demonetize the vices that are in human beings and remonetise the virtues if people seriously and in faith go through the Word of God and ponder over the real meaning of the Word of God and abide by it.

 

The homily was followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

 

Fr. Fred Mascarenhas-Dean of Udupi Varado and Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of Barkur, Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza-Secretary of CESU, Fr. Charles Menezes-International Director of Youth and a number of priests from the Udupi Varado and neighbouring parishes as well as religious priests and sisters were present for the Vespers.

 

Devotees of St. Lawrence were seen visiting his shrine and  burning candles and offering flowers.

 

 

The entire church premises was brimming with festive mood as all the structure, the church building, Grotto, belfry, shrine of St. Lawrence and even the slopes of the hill towards the east were illuminated with coulourful lights.

 

Various stalls have been set up and people were seen visiting them. Besides stalls selling religious articles, there are stalls which cater to the fancy, taste buds, and sporting skills of the people.