Shirva, 12 February 2011: Every year on February 11th Shirva Parishenors are celebrating Lourdes Mary feast and this year was no exception. On Friday 11th February 2011, in the evening at 06.00 p.m feast mass was celebrated at Irmiz Church. Rev. Fr. Ronald Santhis S.J. Gujarath was the main celebrant and Rev. Fr. Stany Fernandes A.P.P. Shirva, Rev. Fr. Edwin, Rev. Fr. Maxim SDB and Rev. Fr. Simao SDB Shirva were the co-celebrants.
After the Mass, Procession was conducted starting from Irmiz Church, through Shirva Junction and then reached to Main Shirva Church. Like every year, all Catholic and non-Catholic people from Shirva light the candles in front of their shops. It is a sign of unity and diversity among the people of Shirva.
The special attraction in this year’s feast celebration is that there were 2 attractive tableaus in the procession, which were sponsored by Mr. Arul D’Souza and Mr. Wilson D’Souza. Also there were 2 sets of brass bands in the procession, which were sponsored by Mr. Stanley Dais and Mr. Marvin D’Souza. The main Charel car was sponsored by Mr. Denis Mathais.
After the procession all the sponsors and donors were honoured with candle at the grotto near the Church. List of the sponsors was read out by Mr. Erwin D’souza Vice President and Mr. Melwin Aranha, Secretary. The total gathering on this occasion was more than 1800 people.