Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte, Kallianpur inaugurated & blessed

By Richard DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 07 Jan 2015: Much awaited new building of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte-Kallianpur near here inaugurated and blessed on Tuesday, 6th January, 2015. Prior to the inauguration, Belfry of the church was blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev Dr. Leo Cornelio, Arch Bishop of Bhopal, Madya Pradesh State.

 

The priests and Bishops proceeded towards the new church entrance with the brass band and alter servers, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council Jerry Vincent Dias and other officials. The inaugurated by cutting the ribbon by Jerry Vincent Dias and church main door was opened by Most Rev Dr. Oswald Lewis, Bishop of Jaipur Diocese and proceeded towards the new alter of the church.

 

 

 

Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese concelebrated the solemn inaugural thanksiving mass along with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, Dr Leo Cornelio, Archbishop of Bhopal, Dr Oswald Lewis, Bishop of Jaipur, Dr Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of Lucknow and Fr Philip Neri Aranha, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte, Kallianpur.

 

Dr Gerald Issac Lobo in his homily  said that the church does not belong only to the Christian community but also to all the people of other religions. Dr Aloysius P D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru offered the first Eucharistic service in the new church in the presence of hundreds of priests, nuns and thousands of Christians as well as non-Christians. After the service he said, “We have to keep our soul clean first, external beauty is not important. While entering the church the designs look attractive, but our prayers to seek the blessings of God are much more important.

 

There was a brief felicitation programme after the Mass. Jerry Vincent Dais, Vice President of the Parish Council welcomed the gathering and Fr Philip Neri Aranha, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, delivered the introductory remarks. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese inaugurated the stage programme by releasing the balloons.

 

In his message,  Bishop Aloysius said that church is a place for worship and not attraction. We should build our society in such a way as to become a model to others. We Catholics should give importance to shaping our family life and also help the poor and needy in the society.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address said that the entire parish should act like one family and live in unity and harmony. If there is unity there would be strength. Family prayers will bring the members closer to each other and it will help to strengthen the bond in the family. We should bridge the gap between the families which will strengthen the church and our devotional life. We should strive for the upliftment of the poor and the needy and then we can fill in new spirit and happiness in our society, he added.

 

Udupi MLA, Pramod Madhwaraj said that it is a matter of pleasure to him, because this is the first church inaugurated after he became MLA. He was also happy with many churches being constructed in the nearby areas. He said that he has fulfilled his promise by completing the road construction from Santhekatte junction to the church. He conveyed his best wishes on the occasion.

 

Oscar Fernandes speaking on the occasion said, “This is my birth place and I always used to go to church for prayer here. It reminds me of my childhood days. We have to indulge in welfare programmes and think on development, only then can we achieve our goals."

 

Vinay Kumar Sorake,  district minister in-charge in his message said that Christians have played a prominent role in the development of the nation by promoting quality education. Their role in the twin districts of promoting education and health care is needed to be appreciated. The Attur feast and Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka will be celebrated with great pomp as the district administration has planned to celebrate the same like the state festivals. A tourism corridor from Shirva to Malpe St Marys Island has been proposed to the State Government. A total budget of rupees 150 crores has been proposed in 2015-16 fiscal state budget by the Congress led State Government, he added.

 

Former parish priests, assistant parish priests, vice presidents, secretaries and donors were honoured on the occasion. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo released the Souvenir. Dn Royson Fernandes read out the papal blessings.

 

Rajyasabha MP Oscar Fernades, MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, Former MLA U R Sabhapathi and Jamia Mosque Udupi president Budan Bhasha who were the chief guests of the function hailed the contribution of the Christian institutions in the field of education, health and social service and also extended their best wishes.

 

Fr Stany B Lobo, Dean Kallianpur Deanery, Sr Loura Rodrigues, Superior Goretti Convent, Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, Udupi diocese, Ivan D’Souza MLC, Sathish Nayak, president Kallianpur Grama Panchayat, Jayaprakash Hegde, former MP,  Raghupathi Bhat, former MLA and Janrdhan Tonse, former ZP member were present.

 

Richard Dais Secretary of parish pastoral council deliverd the vote of thanks. Werner D’Silva and Mertel Lewis compered the programme