Shirva: Annual Parish Feast of Our Lady of Health celebrated with great fervour

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Wilson DSouza, Shirva
Bellevision Media Network

Shirva, 01 February 2012: The annual parish feast in honour of  Our Lady of Health celebrated with great devotion and fervour on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10.30 am. The solemn feast mass was concelebrated by 26 priests from various  parishes of Shirva Varado as well as guest priests with Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura as the chief celebrant.

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza  emphasized on the fact that any person can take up good deeds or charitable work only in the presence and companionship of God  and one’s complete involvement in the work that he or she undertakes. Giving examples from the Old Testament right from Abraham, ‘Father of Faith’ to Moses, Samuel, King David and Prophets, Fr. Leslie pointed out that God chose simple people and did great works through them not only because God was present with them, but also these simple persons got themselves completely involved in the work that God wanted them to undertake.

 

 

Speaking about the role of  Mother Mary in the work of redemption along with Jesus Christ, Fr. Leslie traced her complete involvement in the task of salvation right from the time of the  Annunciation by Angel Gabriel till the Crucifixion, Resurrection and even after the Ascension of the Lord.  Fr. Leslie dwelt upon the theme of the annual feast “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.”  He said that what we speak, what we do and how we live should be in accordance with the life and deeds of Mother Mary who as Our Lady of Health is the patron of the  Shirva Parish which is the ‘Mother Parish’ for most of the parishes in the surrounding regions.

 
Following the end of the feast mass, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, parish priest of  Shirva and Dean of Shirva Varado expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, the chief celebrant and all the priests who concelebrated the feast mass, and all those who sponsored the feast and assisted in different ways for the  celebration of the feast. He thanked the chief sponsors of this year’s feast (Pirgent)  Mr. Julian Rodrigues and family.

 

 

 

Prior to the commencement of the feast mass, candles of honour were presented by Rev. fr. Stany Tauro to the founders, benefactors, donors and all the members of the Parish Pastoral Council and heads of other parish associations and sponsors (muddoms) as their names were read out by Irwin D’Souza and Melvyn Aranha, Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council respectively.

 
The church was elegantly decorated to suit the grand occasion of the annual parish feast. Separate arrangement was made for the devotees to pay their respect and pray before the ‘Cherel’ of Our Lady of Health towards the right side of the church under the specially put up shamiana.

 
The Vespers in preparation of   the annual feast was celebrated on Tuesday, Janaury 31, 2012 with the recitation of Rosary at 6 pm followed by the blessing of the ‘Cherel’. Rev. Fr. Stany Fernandes, former assistant parish priest of Shirva conducted the Vespers service. Fireworks followed the vespers service that was enjoyed by the people who were present for the   vespers.

 
After the Vespers as well as feast mass, people were seen thronging the fair and having fun and frolic that has been an essential part of the annual feast in any parish.