Newly built St. Francis Xavier Church, Udyavara inaugurated and blessed

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 28 April 2016: The long standing dream of St. Francis Xavier parishioners, Udyavara became a reality when the newly constructed church was inaugurated, blessed and dedicated to the people in the presence of three bishops, many priests and religious men and women from the diocese on Thursday, 28 April 2016. The entire programme that started at 9 am continued till 3 pm with the inauguration and blessing of the Grotto, and the church, solemn inaugural mass, stage programme and community meal. The construction of the church in the neo-Gothic style of architecture that started with the laying of the foundation stone on 22 May 2014 by the Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo took a little than two years under the able leadership of Fr. Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest of Udyavara assisted by a team of parishioners organized into the Core Committee and  subcommittees.

The grand inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed church was preceded by the inauguration and blessing of the Memorial Altar and celebration of 150 years Jubilee Mass by Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese and blessing of the new belfry by Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo on Sunday, 17 April 2016. The Hore-kanike procession and Inter Religious Meet were organized on Sunday, 24 April 2016 followed by ‘Music for Harmony’ by Ustad Rafique Khan and his team.

 

 

After days of preparation, the inauguration and blessing of the main building of the newly erected church was done on Thursday, 28 April 2016. The programme began at 9 am when three bishops-Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald D’Almeida-Bishop of Jabalpur who is a native of Udyavara and Most Rev. Dr. Robert Miranda-Bishop of Gulbarga along with Fr. Fred Mascarenhas-Dean of Udupi Varado, Fr. Roque D’Souza-Parish Priest of Udyavara and a number of priests from the Udupi Diocese and religious men and women as well as the parishioners of Udyavara and neighbouring parishes assembled in front of the Grotto which was inaugurated and blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald D’Almeida.

 

Soon after the inauguration of the Grotto, the bishops and priests along with altar servers and people went in procession to the front portico of the church. Bishop Gerald D’Almeida inaugurated the new church by cutting the ribbon tied across the main door of the church while Bishop Gerald Lobo and Bishop Robert Miranda inaugurated the granite flanks on the walls.

 

The three bishops gently pushed the main door and opened the entrance. As they entered, priests and people also followed them and occupied all pews and even the seats in the balcony at the rear of the church.

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo blessed and sanctified the water which was used to bless the people and the structure of the newly built church.

 

The solemn inaugural mass was concelebrated by the bishops and priests with Bishop Gerald Lobo as the chief celebrant.

 

Bishop Robert Miranda delivering the homily traced the history of building of the ‘House of God’  from the Old Testament. He also highlighted the purification of temple by Jesus by chasing the animal and bird sellers as well as other vendors from the temple of Jerusalem. Bishop Robert stressed on the significance of the church and pointed out how it is very closely associated with the lives of the faithful.

 

Soon after the homily, the Litany of Saints was recited. Thereafter, Bishop Gerald Lobo anointed the main altar with the Chrism oil and sanctified it while Bishop Gerald D’Almeida anointed the walls of the church at four main points. Bishop Gerald Lobo then recited the prayer of dedication of the church. The sisters covered the newly anointed altar by spreading new cloths. Bishop Gerald Lobo handed over the lighted candle to Fr. Roque D’Souza who in turn lighted the candles on the newly blessed altar. Meanwhile, all the lights within the church were switched on and the solemn mass continued.

 

At the end, after the distribution of Holy Communion, the Tabernacle was blessed and sanctified  and the ciborium containing the Holy Eucharist was placed reverently inside the Tabernacle.

 

After the final blessing from Bishop Gerald Lobo, people gathered in the pandal for the stage programme that was presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included Bishop Gerald D’Almeida, Bishop Robert Miranda, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Fr. Roque D’Souza, Abhaychandra Jain-Minister in charge of Fisheries, Youth and Sports, Government of Karnataka, Pramod Madhwaraj-MLA, Udupi, Ivan D’Souza-MLC, Mrs. Sugandhi Shekhar-President, Udyavara Grama Panchayat, Mrs. Blossom Fernandes-wife of Oscar Fernandes, Mrs. Veronica Cornelio-Chairperson, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Lts., George Castelino-Member, Karnataka Government Christian Development Committee, Antony Mendonca (KAS)Rtd-Private Secretary to Minister Minor Irrigation, Government of Karnataka, Walter Nandalike-CEO Daijiworld Media Network, U. Ranganath Bhat-Chief Priest, Sri Siddivinayaka Temple, Udyavara, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Rehamani-Moulana, Jamia Masjid, Udyavara, Haji Abdul Jaleel Saheb-President, Halima Sabju Auditorium Trust, Udyavara, Jerry Vincent Dias-Proprietor, Mandavi Builders,  Lawrence D’Sa-Vice President, Parish Pastoral Council and Michael D’Souza-Secretary.

 

Following the prayer song sung by the choir of the Udyavara Church, Lawrence D’Sa welcomed the guests as Fr. Roque D’Souza extended floral welcome to the guests on the dais.

 

In his introductory address, Fr. Roque D’Souza traced the circumstances that led to the renovation of the church and construction of the new structure. Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, Michael D’Souza narrated in brief the history of St. Francis Xavier Church in Udyavara since its inception 150 years ago till the construction of the new building.

 

A message and Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis was read out by Bishop Gerald D’Almeida and also on his own behalf complimented Fr. Roque D’Souza and all the people of Udyavara for the beautiful church and expressed hope that the new church would become a centre of prayer and good community work.

 

Fr. Roque DSouza along with Lawrence D’Sa and Michael D’Souza felicitated Bishop Robert Miranda and Bishop Gerald D’Almeida.

 

The donors were honoured  at different intervals by the guests on the dais.

 

Minister Abhayachandra Jain, Pramod Madhwaraj, Ivan D’Souza, Mrs. Veronica Cornelio, Haji Abdul Jaleel Saheb in their messages congratulated Fr. Roque D’Souza and his team as well as the parishioners for erecting such a beautiful church through their donations and hard work. They recalled the contribution of Christians in various fields and highlighted the fact that Udyavara has been a confluence of religious harmony.

 

The previous Parish Priest of Udyavara, Fr. Cyprian Pinto was also honoured during this occasion for his initiative for building a new church.

 

Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas released the Sovenir that is being produced on the occasion of the building of the new church.

 

Twelve members of the Core Committee that was responsible for supervising the entire work related to the construction of the new church as well as the architects, engineers, electrical contractors, carpenters, masonry supervisors and others associated with the contrition of the new church were also honoured during the function.

 

 

Fr. Roque D’Souza, the person behind the building of the new church at Udyavara was warmly felicitated by the three Bishops and dignitaries on the dais to the standing ovation of adorable parishioners of Udyavara.

 

Bishop of Udupi, Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was honoured by Fr. Roque D’Souza and dignitaries on the dais. In his presidential address, Bishop Gerald Lobo complimented  Fr. Roque D’Souza and people of Udyavara for their efforts in erecting such a beautiful church building within a short period. He said that the people of Udyavara have poured their love, sacrifice and labour into the construction of the new church building. It was their dream which has become a reality.

 

On behalf of the Diocese of   Udupi, Bishop Gerald Lobo honoured Fr. Roque with a shawl and garland.

 

John D’Souza, Mrs. Pushpa Tauro and Mrs. Shanta Fernandes anchored the entire programme  and John D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Fellowship community meal was served for all those who attended the inaugural function.