Golden Jubilee Celebration of Holy Cross Church, Pamboor-Complete Report
By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/Pamboor, 23 Dec 2017: The Golden Jubilee of the Holy Cross Church was observed from 16-23 December 2017 with various programmes associated with this great event. In anticipation of the Golden Jubilee, the entire church building was thoroughly renovated. The renovation work had spread over three years. The renovated church stands majestically as the witness of the leadership of the Parish Priest, Fr. Paul Rego, cooperation of the Parish Pastoral Council and its office bearers-Prakash Noronha-Vice President, Mrs. Asuntha D’Souza-Secreatry and Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza-Convener of 18 Commissions, Dr. Vincent Alva-Convener of Jubilee Celebration Committee, Finance Committee, other associations of the Parish and the hard work and sacrifice of all the parishioners.
The preparation for the Golden Jubilee has been going on for three months, during which planning and execution of various programmes were meticulously chalked out and given final shape. Dr. Vincent Alva as the Convener of the Golden Jubilee Celebration, with his vast knowledge of organizing and anchoring different types of functions, succeeded in steering the functions with clockwork precision manifesting his mastery over time management.
Various committees that were formed for the smooth conduct of various programmes and volunteers with their dedication and discipline saw to it that all the programmes were well organized. The compeers of different stage programmes executed their task with professional touch.
The Golden Jubilee functions commenced from 16 December 2017 beginning with Horekanike and Inter-religious Harmony Convention. Not only the parishioners of Pamboor but parishioners from Shirva, Moodubelle and Shankerpura(Pangala) participated in this grand Horekanike procession. Besides, some Hindu brothers and sisters also brought horekanike to the church.
The Harmony Message at the Inter-religious Harmony Convention was given by Dr. Hayavadana Moodusargi, Associate Professor of Bhandarkars College, Kundapura. Other guests of honour included Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Louis D’Sa-Director of Inter-religious Harmony Commission, Diocese of Udupi, Harish Shetty-Vice President of Belle Grama Panchayat. On this occasion, Soori Shetty, Udupi District Rajyotsava Awardee Social Worker, Kaup was honoured.
Sunday, 17 December 2017 was observed as Confraternity Sunday. Fr. Maxim Noronha, Vicar Forane, Bantwal Deanery, Diocese of Mangalore and a native of Pamboor was the chief celebrant. Following the Holy Mass, brief adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Procession from the church to B.C. Raod was organized.
Monday, 18 December 2017 was an important day in the series of functions associated with the Golden Jubilee of the church. On that day, at 5pm, the Renovated Church was inaugurated and blessed. The new church was inaugurated by Maurice Noronha (Malla Master) one of the surviving founder members of the church. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed and dedicated the church. The felicitation function was attended by Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA of Kaup Constituency, Fr. Reginald Pinto-Director of Sampada, Diocese of Udupi and Fr. Harold Pereira-Director of 18 Commissions. During the programme, all those who had contributed in various ways in the renovation of the church building were felicitated. After the programme dinner was served.
Remembrance of Departed Parishioners and Founders Day was observed on Tuesday, 19 December 2017 at 5pm. Fr. Lawrence Martis-Parish Priest of St. Joseph Church, Kotas was the chief celebrant. Homily was preached by Fr. Nicholas Martis, SVD-Rector of Catholic Ashram, Palda, Indore (MP). Soon after the mass, priests, religious and parishioners visited the Cemetery and prayed for the souls of the departed parishioners. Thereafter, felicitation programme was held to honour the founders. Fr. Denis D’Souza was the guest of honour.
Other guests of honour were Fr. Donatus Martis-Diocese of Allahabad and William Albert Noronha-Managing Director of Southern Metals and Alloys Private Limited, Mumbai. During the programme the founders of the Holy cross Church were honoured. These included Fr. Denis D’Souza, Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Maurice Noronha (Malla Master) and others. After the felicitation programme dinner was served to all those who were present.
On Wednesday, 20 December 2017 Day of the Priests and Religious of the Parish was observed in the morning with Holy mass at 10 am. Fr. Jephrin Monis, native of Pamboor and presently serving in Germany concelebrated the Holy Mass as the chief celebrant. Homily was preached by Fr. Henry Alva (OFM Cap), native of Pamboor and presently Provincial Superior of Central Province, Canada. After the Holy Mass felicitation function was held for honouring priests and religious men and women from the parish. Msgr. Baptist Menezes was the chief guest of the programme. Lunch was served following the felicitation programme.
The Golden Jubilee celebration was held on Thursday, 21 December 2017 with solemn Thanksgiving Mass offered by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza-Bishop of Mangalore Diocese as the chief celebrant at 9.30 am. The felicitation programme was attended by a number of dignitaries including Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, Fr. Denis D’Souza, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Ivan D’Souza, Wilson Rodrigues, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde, Sandeep Rao, Stany Noronha and Remous D’Souza. On this occasion Fr. Paul Rego who was instrumental in the renovation of the church was honoured. Fr. Denis D’Souza-Founder Parish Priest and Fr. Jeerome Monteiro another Parish Priest were also honoured. Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza was felicitated.
Fellowship Meal (Annasantarpene) was organized for around 4,000 people. In the evening Tulu Drama ‘Poppa’ by Rangataranga Kalavidaru, Kaup was staged at 7.30pm.
Vespers with Candle Light Procession and Prayer Service was held on Friday, 22 December 2017 from 6.30 pm. Fr. Mahesh D’Souza-Principal of Don Bosco Englsih Medium School, Shirva was the chief celebrant.
The eagerly awaited Annual Parish Feast was celebrated on Saturday, 23 December 2017 with the Solemn Feast Mass offered by Fr. Stany Tauro, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva and Dean of Shirva Deanery as the chief celebrant at 10 am. The homily was preached by Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Uudpi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar.
Fr. Paul Rego, Parish Priest of Pamboor provided the leadership for all the programmes associated with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. His guidance and direction as well as the efforts of all helped in conducting all the programmes smoothly and in time. The participation of the parishioners and their discipline was exemplary.
Bellevision.com had the privilege of covering the Golden Jubilee Celebration as all the associated programmes for the entire period of 8 days. For me personally, attending the Holy Mass, the stage programme, clicking pictures and writing report daily has been a rich and memorable experience.
In order to enable the readers of Bellevision.com, the reports and pictures of the programmes that spread over for 8 days are collected and posted in one bunch so that they can have a complete picture of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Holy Cross Church and all the programmes associated with this great event.
Dr. Eugene DSouza
Complete Coverage
Holy Cross Parish, Pamboor at threshold of golden jubilee celebration
Day 2: Confraternity Sunday observed with devotion and Eucharistic Procession
Day 3: Newly built Holy Cross Church of Pamboor blessed and dedicated by Bishop Gerald Lobo
Day 4: Remembrance of Departed Parishioners and Founders Day Observed in Holy Cross Church, Pamboor
Day 5: Day of the Priests and Religious observed in Holy Cross Parish, Pamboor
Day 6: Holy Cross Parish, Pamboor celebrates Golden Jubilee with Solemn Mass and Felicitation Programme
Day 7: Candle light Procession and Prayer Service mark the Vespers of Holy cross Church, Pamboor
Day 8: Annual Parish Feast Celebrated in Holy Cross Parish, Pamboor with devotion and gaiety