Procession of head-load offerings held at Udyavar Church, religious leaders appeal for harmony


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By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 26 Apr 2016: The procession of head-load offerings was held ahead of grand opening of newly-reconstructed St Francis Xavier Church at Udyavar, here on Sunday April 24. It was themed Live in harmony as God’s children.

 

The state urban and Udupi district-in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake along with ZP member Dinakar Katapady, TP member Rajani Anchan, Udyavar gram panchayat vie president Riyaz Palli, Karvar district Lokayukta superintendent of police H D Mendonca flagged-off the head-load procession at Jai Hind Complex, near Udyavar post office, here.

 

Udyavar parish priest Fr Roque D’Souza, head-load offering procession Committee co-ordinator  Wilfred D’Souza, Udyavar parish council vice president Lawrance D’Sa, secretary Michael D’Souza, Fr Alban, Fr Stephen, Fr Romeo, Fr Roshan and other religious leaders were present on the occasion.

 

Ronald D’ Almeida compered the flagging-off ceremony of head-load offering procession on the occasion.

 

The vegetables, grains and pulses, coconuts etc was offered by the parishioners in 85 mini trucks that took part in the procession began from Jai Hind Complex, passing through Melpete and concluded at the church complex. The traditional music accompanied the procession.

 

An inter-religious meet was held at the premises of St Francis Xavier Church later in the evening.

 

Udupi deanery Episcopal vicar Fr Fred Mascarenhas presided the meet, while Swami Sugunendra of Puttige mutt, Udupi bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Akbar Ali of Jamaat-e-lslam and Fr Roque D’Souza were present.

 

 Swami Sugunendra inaugurated the meet by lighting the lamp.

 

Swami Sugunendra in his message said, ‘Before entering Udupi, a church welcomes all devotees to Udupi city. This is a feather in Udupi’s cap. Udupi is a sacred place not only to Hindus, it is a home for all religions. Because of this, it occupies a place of pride in the region.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘We Udupians welcome all people with open arms, which might be the reason for our success.

 

People often drift away from religion and get attracted to materialistic life. People today are scared of religious programmes because of the wrong message being spread in the society. We can solve this only by spreading awareness on religion through such events. In this regard, the Catholic community has taken the initiative to bring everyone together on a single platform,’ said Swami Sugunendra.

 

Speaking on the occasion, bishop Dr Lobo address quoted, ‘Jesus said, I am the truth, I am the way, and I am life’. Peace is the one of the greatest gifts to mankind on earth. India has become a beacon light to the entire world because it is home to 3,000 religions, 122 languages, and many major communities.

 

‘In Udupi, there are 5 rivers flowing in various directions, but all culminate at the Arabian Sea. The sea does not reject anything the rivers bring with them. Truth is the essence of all religions. Peace, harmony, kindness etc are spread by all religions but not evils like murder, hate etc. We have gathered here today as one family, let us live as children of God.’

 

Akbar Ali in his address said, ‘Udyavar is known for communal harmony. Bringing all communities under one roof before the inauguration of the Church and fostering friendship and brotherhood of people is the best way to mark this occasion. Let our bond grow strong in the coming days.’

 

‘If such programmes are held regularly, it will solve many of the problems in India. In the olden days, there was no bias between people of different religions. All people used to take part in all celebrations of all religions. Church, temple and mosques were not huge then, but today everything has become huge and people have become narrow-minded.

 

‘After our death no one will remember our names, but what we do during our lifetime will be remembered throughout. For that, first we need to live our lives as human beings and value others. Destroying church, temple or mosque will not destroy religion. These are only places of worship, real religion should be in our hearts,’ said Akbar.

 

Fr Fred Mascarenhas in his presidential address quoted the words of former Pope Benedict XVI and said, ‘There are 2 main cultures and they are culture of death and culture of life. Today, the world follows the culture of death by committing murders, harassment, sending the elderly to old age homes etc. ’Live and let live’ should be the motto of one’s life. Jesus Christ by washing the feet of his disciples said ’go and wash the feet of others and thereby serve the society’. Let us destroy the walls created between us and let us build a bridge of life.’

 

Mary D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Wilfred D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Michael D’Souza and Asumptha Machado compered the programme.

 

 

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