Pangla/Shankerpura, 08 Sep 2015: The feast of Nativity of B.V. Mary was celebrated at St. John Evangelist Church today at 7:30am. The grand celebration began with all the colourful children showering the flowers at the Infant Mary statue.
During the showering ceremony Fr. Leslie requested all to pray for the rainfall and a short prayer was held for this purpose. God heard our prayers and while I’m compiling this report the rains have started.
After the brief ceremony and prayer service at the grotto the Holy mass was celebrated by a visiting priest Rev. Fr. Peter D’Souza - Director Pasteral Centre Bajjodi, Mangalore accompanied by Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello, Principal St. John PU College, Fr. Gilbert Pinto and Fr. Lawrence Mendonsa.
The new corn (Novem) was blessed during the mass and distributed to the parishioners inside church itself by ward leaders.
Fr. Leslie D’Souza in his brief homily stressed on family relationship and on the new corn which is substance for our livelihood. He said " The new corn is like our children and parents should treat this as their family members and pray for all when placing the corn on the alter when they return home. He also stressed how important it to protect our land, fields which gives us fruits, vegetables, grains, the water and air. God has bestowed us with these great gifts so it is our duty to worship and protect the nature by taking care just like our children.
He also thanked all the parishioners in his concluding note for all the preparations on the grand feast of Nativity, the volunteers, and esp. children.
He also thanked the main celebrate of the day Rev. Fr. Pater D’Souza for accepting his kind invitation to come to Pangla for the feast. Fr. Leslie also thanked all the donors for the feast esp. Dr. Denzil Nornonha and family for their major donation and Pangala Caterers.
Fr. Peter D’Souza also thanked all the parishioners and esp. fr Leslie for his kind invitation and he was very impressed the way and systematically the entire celebrations are conducted in the clean environment.
At the end of the service the Laddus and Sugar Cane was distributed for all those attended the Monti Fest.
Albums: Nativity Fest around the world