Renovated St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangala was blessed by the Vicar General

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Shankerpura, 02 May 2011: The renovated St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangala was blessed by the Vicar General of the Mangalore Diocese, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 11 am  followed by the solemn Thanksgiving Mass and felicitation function at the end.

 

The entire church looked fresh and colourful. The facade of the church was completely redone by the present parish priest, Fr. Leslie D’Souza within a period of eight months. The cost of the restructuring of the twin towers in front, repairing the roof, adding a portico, providing entirely new concealed electric wiring, painting the  entire church including the statues and installing an  effective sound system was around Rs.25 lakhs which was generously donated by the parishioners.

 

According to Fr. Leslie D’Souza, who had arrived as the parish priest of Pangala on May 21, 2010, he was shocked to see the seepage of rain water through the front portion of the church that flowed across the floor till the main altar. He decided to solve this problem and after consulting the engineers and making a thorough study of the problem took up the restructuring of the facade which gradually led to the repair and renovation of the entire church building which looks quite new, elegant and beautiful.

 

The contract for the renovation of the church was awarded to Robert Noronha of Karkala who has the reputation of being an efficient builder of churches. Earlier, he had built the magnificent church at Moodubelle, dedicated to St. Lawrence. He had also renovated St. Lourdes Church at Kanajar. He has also done an excellent job of renovating and giving a new look to St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangala. It is said that Fr. Leslie was so engrossed in the renovation of the church, that he himself worked along with the labourers and saw to it that the work was completed by the beginning of the monsoon.

 

The Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Basil Paul D’Souza was to bless the renovated church. However, as he is not well, his place was taken by the Vicar General of the Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, who arrived at 10.55 am. He was received at the entrance of the church by Fr. Leslie D’Souza and Dr. Edward Lobo, vice president of the Parish pastoral Council by offering him jasmine flower garlands for which Pangala has been renowned. The congregation had gathered in front of the church. Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu symbolically opened the closed main door and the people entered the church. Thereafter, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu blessed the entire church and the congregation.

 

 

The solemn Thanksgiving Mass  was concelebrated by thirteen priests, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu being the chief celebrant. Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, the dean of Shirva Varado was the concelebrant. In his homily, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu highlighted the importance of the church as a building and emphasised the fact that each individual is the living temple of God.

 

Following the Mass, a brief felicitation function was held. Following the welcome address by Dr. Edward Lobo,  the contractor who worked on the renovation of the church, Robert Noronha was honoured by Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu with shawl, garland and fruits basket.

 

Ambrose Mathias whose family has contributed Rs. Five lakhs fund for conducting spiritual renovation in the parish with various spiritual related activities such as organising retreats, etc. was also felicitated during this occasion. He has donated the amount in the name of St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, the Doctors of the Church.

 

Fr. Leslie D’Souza

 

Fr. Leslie D’Souza, the parish priest who was instrumental in the renovation work of the church was honoured by Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu to the loud applause of the parishioners. In his message, Fr. Leslie said that he accepted the honour on behalf of the entire parish and the credit for such wonderful work of renovation belongs to the entire parish as it was the parishioners who generously contributed in terms of money and work for the renovation work. He said that nothing is impossible if there is strong will and support of the people.

 

Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro and later Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu in their messages complimented Fr. Leslie D’Souza and the people of Pangala for taking up such a wonderful work and completing it in time.

 

Mrs. Flavia Menezes, secretary of the parish pastoral Council proposed the vote of thanks. The felicitation function was compeered by John Lobo.

 

Refreshment was served for all the parishioners who had attended the blessing, Mass and felicitation function.