Udupi: First ever Deanery Level Altar Servers’ Rally evokes enthusiastic Response

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 22 oct 2014: The first ever Udupi Deanery level Altar Servers’ Rally evoked enthusiastic response as 353 Altar Servers, 248 boys and 105 girls from 9 parishes assembled in St. Mary’s English Medium High School auditorium, Kannarpadi, Udupi on Wednesday, 22 October 2014. The one day rally was organized under the patronage of Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Deanery and Parish Priest of Mother  of Sorrows Church, Udupi. The rally was coordinated by Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar.  Besides the Altar Servers, the rally was attended by priests and  animators from respective parishes including religious Brothers, Deacons and Sisters.

 

Right from 9 am, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa kept the Altar Servers engaged as they arrived from different parishes. At 9.15 am, the Altar Servers assembled on the ground  in front of the school with banners of their respective parishes and marched to the auditorium.

 

Following the prayer dance by the Altar Servers from St. Francis Xavier Parish, Udyavar, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas carried the Holy Bible in a procession and placed it on the specially arranged pedestal  with reverence and incensed it. Later, he read a passage from the Gospel according to St. Luke regarding Jesus asking the disciples to allow the children to come near Him.

 

Explaining the reading from the Gospel, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas said that the Altar servers while serving during the Holy Mass are closer to Jesus. Their service has been recognized by the Church. He also narrated the significance of St. John Berchmans, the patron of Altar Servers.

 

The inaugural stage programme was presided over by Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese. Other priests including Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Secretary of Catholic Education Society of Udupi (CESU), Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest of Kalmady, Sisters, animators and Prefects of Altar Servers from different parishes were on the dais.

 

Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa in his welcome address outlined the purpose behind organizing the first ever Altar Servers’ Rally at Udupi Deanery level. He said that by organizing the rally, the service of the Altar Servers is being recognized. Besides, it was an opportunity for the Altar servers from different parishes to meet and enjoy the day through group activities such as quiz, skits, dance and singing and sports activities.

 

The Altar Servers Rally was formally inaugurated by the chief guest,  Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes by pouring water into the pot of Antaria Flower. Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas and Rev. Denis D’Sa and two Altar servers’ representatives also poured water into the pot.

 

 

In his inaugural address, Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes said that Altar Servers have been rendering noble service in the church and complimented Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas and Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa for organizing the first ever Altar Servers’ Rally in the Udupi Deanery. He recalled his days as a young boy and said that he was also an Altar Server and had to walk for 45 minutes to reach the church. Moreover, during his days as Altar Server, each and every Altar Server had to learn by heart responses to prayers during the Mass  in Latin language.  Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes further said that being an Altar Server, he was inspired to become a priest and made an appeal to the Altar Servers that at least some of them should cultivate vocation and join priesthood. He also made a reference to organization by the children known as Holy Childhood in which children throughout the world contribute to the fund which helps the needy children in different parts of the world.

 

Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest of Moodubelle proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural programme was compeered by Br. Chetan from Udyavar.

 

The anthem of the Altar Servers was sung at the end of the programme. Thereafter, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa enthused the Altar servers with action songs which were thoroughly enjoyed by them.

 

After a brief break for snacks and cold drink, Holy Mass was offered by Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas.

 

The afternoon programmes included games such as cricket and spot games, quiz and cultural programmes.

 

In the overall performance, Altar Servers from Moodubelle and Katapadi were declared as joint winners of Team Championship and Kuntal Nagar Altar Servers were the Runners Up.