Moodubelle: Feast of St. Lawrence Celebrated with devotion and fervor

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 10 Aug 2013: The respite from incessant rains gave an opportunity to Belleans to celebrate the titular feast of their patron, St. Lawrence  on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 10 am. Fifteen priests from the neighbouring  parishes joined in the celebration of the solemn feast mass  led by Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida, parish priest of Katapadi.

 

Prior to the start of the feast mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes distributed candles of honor to the members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the mud-dhoms who had sponsored the feast by their contribution. Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council read out the names.

 

The church was filled to capacity for the solemn feast mass in spite of two earlier masses-one at 6.30 am and the other at 8 am. Devotees of St. Lawrence were found offering candles at his shrine before as well as after the feast mass.

 

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida highlighted the martyrdom of St. Lawrence by giving a number of examples and said that the church has been strengthened by the blood of such martyrs right from the early Christianity till date. He said that faith is like fire that should be kept burning in our hearts so that it would never diminish our trust in God. Rev. Fr. Lawrence also  expressed concern over the weakening of the family values due to lack of faith and trust among the members of the family. He urged upon the people to keep in front of them the example of service and faith that was manifested by St. Lawrence and build a strong parish community.

 

At the end of the feast mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes conveyed  greetings  to all parishioners on the occasion of the titular feast of St. Lawrence. He expressed gratitude to all those who had helped in conducting the titular feast.

 

The choir trained by Fr. Paul Sequeira rendered the hymns in a melodious manner raising the solemnity and  spirit of the feast.