Emotional and Prayerful Good Friday Service in Moodubelle

Report by Fr. Joswey Fernandes
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 02 April 2010: The Good Friday service in St. Lawrence Church Moodubelle was held in a unique emotional and devotional atmosphere. The service started at 3.30 pm with the Way of the Cross. The entire program of the Way of the Cross covering all the fourteen stations was prepared on the power point and projected on the screen with the help of LCD under the leadership of Fr Maxim with the help of Fr Paul, Sr Hilda, Sr Vineetha, Sr Vitalia and Mrs Hilda Dsouza. Many of the movie clippings were taken from ‘The Passion of Christ ‘ and ‘Jesus’. The live scenes from these movies had great effect on the parishioners. It helped people to meditate on the sufferings of Christ and reflect their life. The church was packed to capacity and the people had vivid experience while meditating and praying during the Way of the Cross.

The Liturgy of the day followed the Way of the Cross. The priests prostrated before the Altar. Fr Arun Mendonca was the main celebrant . The Passion of Christ according the St. John was read out and Rev Fr. George D Souza, Manager of the Codialbail Press, Mangalore, preached a meaningful and effective homily.

In his homily he highlighted two points : 1. In spite of Jesus’ good works why he was crucified ? 2.Though we were not present at the time of Jesus Christ and not responsible for His death why should we mourn now ?. Elaborating on these two points, Fr. George tried connect these aspects with the day today life in modern times and gave a call for repentance and to lead a happy and fruitful life respecting the elders and taking care of the children.

The life size image of Jesus Christ laid on the table in front of the altar enhanced the solemnity of the Good Friday service.

After the Homily Fr. Arun Mendonca lead the community in prayer for various needs followed by the veneration of the cross. During the veneration the faithful contributed their mite for the cause of eradication of hunger and disease. Then followed the Communion Rite and with the final blessing the assembly disbursed in silence.