Vespers (Besp) observed with devotion on the eve of the annual parish feast at St. John’s Pang

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Pangala/Shankerpura, 30 Dec 2015: On the eve of the annual parish feast of St. John the Evangelist, Patron Saint of Pangala Parish, the Vespers (Besp in Konkani) was celebrated with great devotion, enthusiasm and gaiety in St. John’s Evangelist Church, Pangla on the evening of Tuesday, 29 December 2015 from 6.30 pm to 9 pm.

 

The church as well as the premises was decked in decorative lighting which manifested itself as the night approached. The facade of the church and the belfry were elegant to view through colourful lighting. The church band played tunes of hymns that manifested the festive occasion. The festive ambience could be experienced through various stalls that were put up by the right side of the church.

 

 

The chief celebrant of the Vespers was Rev. Fr. Francis Cornelio, Parish Priest, Kalatur Parish. The vespers service was also attended by Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza (Parish Priest, Pangla), Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal, PU College Pangla), Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro (Vicar Shirva Varado) and many other priests of Pangala Parish and guests from various parishes.

 

The Vespers service commenced at the Shankerpura where faithful had assembled by 6.30 pm. Rev. Fr. Francis Cornelio conducted the prayer service and blessed the ‘Cherel’ of St. John the evangelist which was decorated with loads of Jasmine Flowers and illuminated with lights. Following the service at Shankerpura, the faithful went in procession carrying lighted candles accompanied by the brass band with great devotion.

 

In the church Adoration was held for the Holy Sacrament and a brief homily was delivered by the Celebrant Priest wherein he stressed on importance of God’s Presence in our daily life which he said “Our life would be empty and meaningless if we don’t seek word of God and feel presence of God”. He quoted several saints who initially denied God’s presents and how they realized their mistakes and completely turned to God and served the people like, St. Augustine, St. Francis Xavier.

 

Fireworks lighted the dark sky near the stalls that enhanced the gaiety of the occasion. People were seen greeting each other, visiting the stalls and lighting candles by the side of the shrine. ICYM and YCS members put of loads of stalls and conducted various games which were heavily crowded until 10pm. People enjoyed all the games, variety of Ice creams, food stalls and various stalls of toys and jewelry.

 

The main Holy Eucharistic Mass will be held on 30th (today) at 10:30am on the annual feast of St. John the evangelist Church Pangala, Shankerpura.