Moodubelle: Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Concelebrates the Solemn Annual Feast Mass

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

Moodubelle, 02 January 2013:  Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo,  Bishop of   the Udupi Diocese concelebrated the solemn Annual Feast Mass along with Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Deanery, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, parish priest of Moodubelle and a large number of priests from the Udupi Varado and other neightbouring parishes as well as those priests hailing from Moodubelle and serving in different parts  of India.

 

Prior to the Mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes distributed candles of honour to the members of the Parish Council, Gurkars, office bearers of different parish associations and all the mud-dhoms.

 

Exactly at 10.10 am, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was received by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Secretary of the Parish Council and other members of the council.

 

In a brief programme, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was felicitated and honoured ny Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes as this was the first official visit of the Bishop after he took charge of the new diocese of Udupi. Fr. Joswey wrapped shawl around the shoulders of the Bishop and garlanded  the Bishop. There after  bouquets were offered to him by Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Maxim Pinto, Director of Assisi Nilaya, Sr. Irene, Superior of the Loreto Convent and Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Secretary of the Parish Council. Fr. Paul Sequeira introduced the Bishop prior to the honor.  The choir sang the felicitation song “Ulas Thuka Govli Bapa…” composed by Charles Quadros. 

 

Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes expressed happiness as  the Bishop paid an ooficial visit on the occasion of the annual parish feast and said that the Bishop has already endeared to the people of the new diocese with his developmental programmes.

 

As the Church Aided Higher Primary School completes 100 years this year, the Bishop inaugurated the Centenary Celebration of the school which will continue throughout the year culminating with the valedictory function on January 4, 2014,

 

The Bishop also released the Christmas issue of the parish magazine “Suvaadh”. Mrs. Meera Lobo, editor of “Suvaadh” presented the copy of the magazine to the Bishop.

 

In his message, the Bishop made an appeal to the people to concentrate of family prayers, especially Rosary and also reading of at least one chapter from the Bible on each day after the evening prayers so that the families can remain united and strong. He also said that such families are like the house that was built on the rock.

 

The felicitation programme was compeered by Fr. Paul Sequeira. Fr. Lancy saldanha welcomed the guests and gathering and Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

 

 

The solemn Annual Feast Mass began at 10.45 am with the Bishop as the main celebrant. The homily was delivered by Fr. J.B. Sequeira(OFM-Cap).  In his homily, Fr. J.B. Sequeira emphasized the theme of ‘Without Faith one cannot  live a life of faith’. He pointed the place of St. Lawrence in the community of the martyrs and said that St. Lawrence is one of the great martyrs of the church in the third century and his Basilica in Rome has become a great centre of pilgrimage. 

 

The feast mass ended at 12.10pm. Following the end of the mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes thanked the Bishop and all the priests who participated in the Eucharistic celebration. He conveyed the greetings of the feast to all parishioners and also thanked all those who had helped in celebrating the feast.

 

The devotees of St. Lawrence were seen offering flowers and candles at the shrine of St. Lawrence. A large number of people were seen visiting the various stalls and game stalls put up by the ICYM, YCS and the Altar Servers.