Grand Finale of Centenary Celebrations of St. Francis Xavier Parish Bejai was a great success

By Alphonse Mendonca
Pics by John V. Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Bejai/Mangalore, 14 Oct 2012: 14th October 2012 will be written in golden letter as the Parishioners of Bejai St. Francis Xavier Parish as they celebrated their centenary on Sunday evening amidst rain pouring in unexpectedly.  The grand celebrations began with Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore blessing the newly erected grotto and followed by inauguration of Adoration Chapel.

 

The grand concelebrated mass began at 4:30pm attended by 25 priests and HE Rev. Dr. Aloysius being the main celebrant.  In his introductory speech he praised the parishioners of Bejay for their religious faith and devotion and family bond and values which has resulted in producing several religious priests and nuns from Bejai.  He wished all the parishioners a great centenary and requested them to stay united and be devote and live with good family values.

 

" Soon after the mass as HE Bishop Paul Aloysius D’Souza has to leave a brief honouring ceremony was held.  Rev. Dr. Victor Machado, Parish Priest of Bejay Parish honoured Bishop Aloysius D’Souza with a traditional shawl, a memento and a flower bouquete on behalf of St. Francis Xavier Parish for attending the centenary celebrations and con-celebrating the high mass. "

 

 

 

 

In his homely Rev. Santhosh Rodrigues said that it is not important that we achieve big things but being humble and let God work thru our works and He should be the one to be praised for our achievements.  He cited a simple example of Neil Armstrong when he set foot on Moon that it is God Almighty made through his creation and wisdom that he could set foot on moon for the first time.

 

A strong choir group rendered beautiful hymns throughout the mass and a special Alleluia hymn was sung in English which was sung by a British Musician for the Coronation of King George.   It was sung so well even Bishop Aloysius admired and praised the Choir members and their conductor Mr. Joel Pereira.   He also said that he has sung this special Alleluia song a few times and even conducted once when he was in seminary.

 

After the mass many priests who had served the Bejay Parish were honoured and also many laity, nuns, leaders of various organizations.  Mainly the chief guest of the day Mr. Charles Lobo, present Post Master General posted in Goa and Rev. Fr. Walter Albuquerque who was a master musician and was instrumental in creating and producing several devotional hymns.  They were honoured by Rev. Dr. Victor Machado, Parish Priest of Bejay Parish with a memento, traditional shawl and floral bouquets.  Many other priests too were honoured for their dedicated service to the parish.  The chief guest spoke on the occasion and remembered his good old days with the great personalities of that time namely Mick-Max, Joel Pereira and a few priests with whom he was associated with.  He also said that he was the only one IAS officer and he doubted if anyone from Bejay Parish have become the IAS officers till then and he urged the Parishioners to encourage their children to join IAS and be part of the Government services.

 

The pouring rain did not hamper the spirit of the large crowd gathered on this very special day.  All were eagerly waiting for the play on life of St. Francis Xavier which was written and directed by none other than their own Parishioner who was working day and night and was the chief musician for all three days function.

 

The play was presented in a unique way on five stages set up for the purpose with a beautiful background music and light and sound effects.  In one word it was a master piece presented by Joel Pereira and enacted beautifully by all the characters played by parishioners.

 

A sumptuous dinner was arranged for all those attended the grand finale.

 

A vote of thanks was proposed by Vice President of Parish Council Mr. Augustine Pereira.