Jubilant St. Francis Xavier Parishioners celebrate Vocations Day and present offerings

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Bejai/Mangalore, 14 Oct 2012: St. Francis Xavier Parishioners of Bejai, Mangalore celebrated vocations day honouring their own religious brothers and sisters serving in the Lord’s Vineyard all over the Nation.  It was a moment for their parishioners to have a glimpse of their brothers and sisters coming together on the occasion of their Centenary Celebrations an opportunity rarely happens.

 

The Vocations day began with a Concelebrated Mass at 4:30 pm and at the end of the service all the religious brothers, priests and nuns were honoured with a memento and flowers in gratitude for sacrificing their life and family for the sake of God’s family mostly outside their own Parish and Mangalore.  The mementos were presented by Parish Priest Rev. Dr. Victor Machado followed by a group photograph.

 

The second part of the day two centenary celebrations were the offerings to the parish (Vojem or Hore Kannike) presented in a grand procession of Tableaus.  The tableaus were presented by all wards of the parish representing Konkani Culture, Marriage, Traditions, Agriculture, Religious and based on Social events.

 

The grand celebrations began at 7.00pm by Rev. Fr. Victor Machado flagging off the procession at the Circuit House wherein a large number of parishioners gathered to participate in the procession of tableau’s.  it was one of the most memorable magnificent procession, all the parishioners were involved either in Tableaus, singing, dancing, band, procession all the way from Circuit house to the St. Francis Xavier Church at Bejai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic police took charge of the procession and efficiently managed the entire procession direction the public vehicles in one side and made way for the smooth flow of procession. Tableaus were mounted on the long trucks especially hired for the occasion.

 

Once the entire procession reached the parish church, the parishioners went jubilant and danced to the beautiful tunes by Harry’s band and other bands organized on the occasion.  From the little kid to the eldest, couples, teenagers, youth all celebrated the festivity to the fullest.

 

The entire event was very well organized by the several committee members and heads of the parishes efficiently.   The jubilation ended at about 9:30pm.

 

Today the 14th September will be a historical day for the parishioners as they celebrate the grand finale of the Centenary of their parish beginning with Concelebrated mass at 4.00pm Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza Bishop of Mangalore and the chief guest of the day will be Bejai Parishioner Mr. Charles Lobo, Post Master General – Goa.   May stalwarts of Bejay who have rendered their services, religious, laity will be honoured on the occasion.

 

The Parish Priest Rev. Dr. Victor Machado has requested all parishioners to attend this grand finale in large numbers and make it a most memorable day in the history of St. Francis Xavier Church of Bejai.