Udupi/Shirva: Religious Day observed as part of the Centenary of Our Lady of Health Church

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/Shirva, 30 January 2015: A large number of religious men and women who have dedicated their lives in the service of God and humanity and serving in different parts of Indian and other foreign countries assembled in the newly renovated Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva on Friday, 30 January 2015 for a thanksgiving mass as part of the Centenary celebration of the church at 4 pm followed felicitation function. 

 

Most Rev. Dr. Antony Fernandes, retired Bishop of Bareilly (UP) and a native of Kalattur, formerly a Shirvs parishioner concelebrated the mass as the chief celebrant. The other concelebrant preists were all the natives of Shirva parish. The mass was animated by the sisters. 

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, a native of Shirva and presently the parish priest of Barkur and Chancellor of the Udupi Diocese said that to live a dedicated religious life the grace of God and prayer of the people are very essential. He recalled the role of parents and family members of all the religious men and women who dedicated their children to the service of God and people. In the life of the religious, Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca stressed on two words that Jesus had used to his disciples which have been relevant in the lives of the religious-‘Come and Go’. He had asked his Apostles ‘Come and follow Me’ and later had commanded them to ‘Go and spread the good news’. He also said that Shirva parish has been witnessing many vocations since the last 100 years.

 

At the end of the mass, Most Rev. Dr. Antony Fernandes expressed happiness that he could return to his native parish on the occasion of the Centenary celebration and in a lighter vein said that all the religious men and women who have specially come to attend the Centenary celebration is like “Ghar Wapasi”.

 

Soon after the mass snacks and cold drinks were served to all those who attended the mass and felicitation function followed in the huge pandal. 

 

Most Rev. Dr. Antony Fernandes presided over the felicitation function. Other dignitaries on the dais included Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of the Udupi Diocese and also a native of Shirva, Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rev. Fr. Julian Fernades S.J., former Provincial of Karnataka Jeusit Province, Sr. Rose Agnes A.C., Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, parish priest and also the native of Shirva, Wilson D’Souza and William Machado-vice president and secretary respectively of the Parish Pastoral Council.

 

Following the prayer and welcome dance presented by the students of Don Bosco English Medium High School, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro in his introductory speech expressed gratitude to all the religious men and women for making it a point to attend the “Religious Day” as part of the Centenary celebration. Narrating briefly the history of the church, Fr. Tauro said that nowhere in the history of the church in the twin dioceses of Mangalore and Udupi that two independent churches had come together. It was the farsightedness of the then parish priests of both the upper and lower churches-late Fr. Casmir Fernandes and late Fr. Gregory D’Souza and the support of the then parishioners of both the churches that unity of those two churches as one church dedicated to Our Lady of Health became possible and the result was the magnificent church that was built a hundred years ago. 

 

Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro further said that on the occasion of the Centenary of the church when the question was raised whether to have a new church or maintain the old structure, it was unanimously decided that as the old church has wonderful architectural merits it should be maintained and it should be renovated. Accordingly the church was renovated and the old structure is being maintained. 

 

The religious women and priests were felicitated by Bishop Antony Fernandes after each of them introduced themselves. The felicitated priests included Rev. Fr. Anil D’Souza, Dean of Kundapur Deanery and Rev. Fr. Joseph (Joe) Mathias S.J. who has been appointed as the Director of the Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. The Bishop offered each of them a rose, shawl and a memento.  On behalf of the religious women, Rev. Sr. Rose Agnes replied to the felicitation by narrating the circumstances that led to her vocation giving full credit to her parents, family members, parish priests and teachers. On behalf of the priests, Rev. Fr. Julian Fernandes S.J. appreciated the honour done to the religious men and women by the parishioners.

 

Msgr. Baptist Menezes briefly spoke about the circumstances that led to his vocation. He was felicitated thereafter by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais by offering him flowers, shawl and memento. Rev. Fr. Prakash Menezes (SVD) who will be shortly leaving to Australia for ministry was also similarly honoured. 

 

Bishop Antony Fernandes in his brief message said that he was honoured to be a part of the Centenary celebrations and expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro for organizing the ‘Religious Day’. The Bishop was also honoured by offering him shawl, flowers and memento.

 

Wilson D’Souza, the vice president of the Parish pastoral Council welcomed the gathering,  secretary William Machado proposed the vote of thanks and Sr. Bridget Madtha compeered the programme.

 

The ICYM members presented a folk dance as part of the cultural programme.

 

The facade of the church and belfry were illuminated with colourful lights and it was pleasing to see the facade changing colours every few minutes.