Moodubelle: Vespers (Besp) celebrated on the eve of the annual parish feast

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 03 Jan 2012: Large number of parishians attended the Vespers (Besp) on the evening of Tuesday, January 3, 2012 in preparation of  Annual Parish Feast that will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

 

At 6.30 pm, people gathered on the Cross Hill for the traditional blessing of the ‘Cherel’ of St. Lawrence. Rev. Fr. Frederick Mascarenhas, Dean of the Udupi Varado conducted the service on the Cross Hill in Kannada language. In his introductory oration, Fr. Mascarenhas said that St. Lawrence through his life and service, spread the light of the Christ. He briefly narrated the life and martyrdom of St. Lawrence,  the patron saint of Moodubelle.

 

Following the service on the Cross Hill, people went in procession with lighted candles and entered the church through the main road as band  from Udyavara played the music.

 

The adoration and prayer service  in the church was conducted by Fr. Boniface Pinto, Director of Mangala Jyothi, Mangalore in the presence of a large number of priests including Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi District and  the parishioners.

 

As the theme of this year’s annual parish feast is “Let us make the Families Holy”, Fr. Boniface in his homily highlighted the importance of building ideal families that would be an example to others.  He pointed out the efforts taken by various Popes in emphasising on the need to bring up ideal Christian families. He gave the example of the  Holy Family of Nazareth and emphasised the role of each member in the family. He stressed on the example that is set by the elders and said that with good example set by the elders, the younger members of the family would fall in line that would help in building ideal families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing the homily,  Fr. Boniface said that respect and care of the elders in the family is very important so that the children would follow their example. He lamented that in some  families, elders are neglected. They are either in old age homes  or live within families as neglected members. Further he said that there may be shortcomings in some families but overcoming these shortcomings and spreading the light of Christ as St. Lawrence did would bring happiness and peace in the families.

 

After the prayer for the parish community, Eucharistic blessing was conferred on the people. The choir sang beautifully that was pervasive of devotion. Carol Sonia D’Souza who had recently won the ‘Voice of Udupi’  title led the ‘Bhajan’ with  melodious voice that enhanced the spiritual atmosphere within the church.

 

Immediately after the service within the church, people came out to witness  the colourful  fireworks that brightened the night sky above the church tower that was beuatifully caputred by Anil Alva in his camera. Many were seen wishing each other and still others flocking to various.

 

The environment of festive mood could be seen in around the church. The beutifully decorated exterior of the church with colourful electric lights, various stalls selling religious articles, varieties of sweets, toys, artificial flowers, a flower plants’ nursery and the game stalls of the ICYM and Altar Servers promise to make the annual parish feast-2012 a memorable one.   

 

There will be two ordinary  masses at 6.30 am and 7.30 am. On Wednesday, January 4, 2012. The solemn feast mass will be at 10 am. Prior to the feast mass, candles of honour will be distributed at 9.30 am.