Udupi/M’Belle: Newly Painted Sanctuary of St. Lawrence Church Inaugurated and Blessed

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 07 Feb 2021: The newly painted sanctuary of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle was inaugurated and blessed on Sunday, 7 February 2021 during the 7.30 am mass. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle along with Fr. Jithesh Castelino, Assistant Parish Priest, F. Lawrence D’Souza, Resident Priest, Fr. Royson Fernandes, Editor of ‘Uzwaad” and Commodore Jerome Castelino, the sponsor of the sanctuary painting  inaugurated the newly painted sanctuary by cutting the ribbon tied across the main altar prior to the mass.

 

During the prayer soon after the inauguration, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas thanked Almighty God for His blessings in completing the project through the paintings by Wilson Souza, Kayyar and sponsored by Commodore Jerome Castelino. The paintings depicting the main episodes from the life of Jesus Christ were researched and selected with the help of Fr. Jithesh Castelino.

 

Fr. Lawrence D’Souza blesed the newly painted sanctuary by sprinkling the holy water.

 

Following the holy mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas felicitated Wilson Souza, Kayyar and Commodore Jerome Castelino by offering them flower bouquets and gifts.

 

According to Wilson Souza, Kayyar the painting project commenced from 5 November 2020 and took around two months and 20 days to complete the entire project.

 

View of the Sanctuary Prior to Painting

 

After the completion of the painting of the sanctuary and its inauguration and blessing, the sanctuary looks beautiful and devotional. The chief episodes from the life of Jesus Christ painted from left to right include: the Annunciation, Birth of Jesus, Holy Family in Nazareth, the Baptism of Jesus(Original Panel), the Sermon on the Mount, the Crucifixion(Original Cross with painting in the background), Mother Mary cradling the body of Jesus after Crucifixion. Resurrection of Jesus (Original Panel), Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Pentecost and an episode from the life of St. Lawrence, the Patron Saint of the parish.

 

Besides the above scenes, Wilson Souza, Kayyar has also painted some of the prominent saints on the edges of the arches on the east and west side of the sanctuary. These saints include from left to right: St. Pio, St. Joseph, St. Antony, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Paul II, St. Theresa the Little Flower of Jesus, St. Don Bosco and St. John Marie Vianney. Wilson Souza, Kayyar was assisted by Dion Quadros.

 

In order to enhance the beauty of the newly painted sanctuary focus lights have been installed  on the ceiling of the sanctuary. These lights were donated by Joseph Lobo of St. Francis II Ward in memory of his son Jason Lobo. These lights were supplied by Canara Lighting Industries Private Limited through Joshil Noronha of Pamboor and installed by Wilson Rebello of Rebello Electircals, Moodubelle.

 

Gerald Fernandes, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council and Vincent Fernandes, former Vice President were present.