Udupi/M’Belle: St. Francis Xavier I Ward celebrates the feast of their Patron Saint

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 03 Dec 2014: The members of St. Francis Xavier I Ward celebrated the feast of their Patron Saint on Wednesday, 3 December 2014 at 5.15 pm in the small chapel built in the premises of Joseph Lobo near Nalkubeedhi. Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle along with Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap) and Rev. Fr. Prakash Lobo (OFM Cap) concelebrated the Mass. The brothers of Assisi Nilaya helped in the Eucharistic celebration through their melodious choir.

 

Prior to the beginning of the Mass, Benedict Martis, Gurkar of the Ward welcomed the priests and the members to the ward feast.

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza highlighted the missionary life of St. Francis Xavier and said that  during eleven years of his mission in India, St. Francis Xavier brought the people closer to Jesus, spread  Gospel, strengthened faith and taught the people to pray. He also reminded the people about the decennial exposition of the relic of St. Francis Xavier in Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa since 22 November 2014 and the great number of pilgrims visiting the Basilica and paying homage to the ‘Apostle of India’.

 

 

Following the end of the Mass, a brief stage programme was held during which Antony Fernandes, the Secretary of the Ward read the report of the activities of the ward during the last year.

 

Competition in singing of hymns was organized in which ward members and brothers from Assisi Nilaya spontaneously participated. At the end three prizes were awarded to: Antony Fernandes-First Prize; Br. Prajwal Rodrigues-Second Prize and Mrs. Juliana D’Souza-Third Prize.

 

As the day happened to the birthday of Rev. Fr. Prakash Lobo(OFM Cap), everyone sang ‘happy birthday’ song and wished him by presenting him roses.

 

In his message, Rev. Fr. Prakash Lobo extended greetings of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier to all the Ward members and thanked everyone for the birthday wishes.

 

Albert Martis, former Gurkar of the ward proposed the vote of thanks and Miss Ashwini Fernandes compeered the programme.

 

Dinner, sponsored by Joseph Lobo and Mrs. Clotilda Lobo was served to all the participants in the Ward Feast.