Udupi: Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo lays foundation for building Infant Jesus Church at Pilar

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 16 April 2016: Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo laid the foundation stone for building Infant Jesus Church at Pilar, near Shirva, near here along with state urban and Udupi district-in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake on Friday April 14.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the minister Sorake appreciated the donors for donating their land in building the new church, likewise the parishioners who are contributing voluntary labor in this regard.  He further said the road from Katpady to Shirva will be developed at a cost of Rs 8.5 crore and will be extended up till Belman. The work is underway to develop Athrady to Bajpe Airport Road at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The roads will also be developed in Pilar. The Catholic education institutions have imparted quality education to people; the institutions are offering education to enlighten people. CM Siddaramaiah-led state government has allocated Rs 125 crore for the development of Christians. The necessary recommendations will be made to government for the release of the grants to the construction of new church, he added. Sorake also said that he will release his grant for the borewell of the new church.

 

 

Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address said that the inauguration of the new Church will be held in January 2018 during the feast of Infant Jesus. The construction of the new church should be filled with enthusiasm and supported with prayers. He gave a call to parishioners to pray for the new church during the daily rosary. He appreciated the efforts of Salesian congregation in their selfless service at Pilar.

 

ZP member Shilpa Gangadhar Suvarna, TP member Michael Ramesh D’Souza, Mudarangady gram panchayat president David D’Souza, Udupi diocesan vicar general Monsignor Baptist Menezes, chancellor Fr Valerian Mendonca, Provincial of Salesians of Don Bosco Konkan Province Fr Ian Figueiredo, Fr Mark Mathias, Fr Kiran Fernandes, Pilar parish council vice president Wilson D’Souza, secretary William Machado, ZP member Wilson D’Souza, Shirva assistant parish priest Fr Anil Castelino and others were present.

 

Earlier, Bishop Gerald celebrated the Holy Mass at Infant Jesus chapel, Pilar, near here and later blessed the foundation stone for building the new church.

 

Shirva parish priest Fr Stany Tauro delivered the keynote address. Valerian Machado, convener of Pilar chapel Committee welcomed the gathering. Fr Simeon Fernandes, priest in-charge of Infant Jesus chapel, Pilar proposed vote of thanks. Imelda Mathias and Ida D’Souza compered the programme.