Message of the Parish Priest-Fr. Joswey Fernandes on the eve of the Parish Day


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Bellevision Media Network

 

Dear parishioners of Belle,

 

 

First of all on behalf of my  priest colleagues and myself I extend warm greetings on the occasion of the celebration of the Parish Day on 1 November 2010 to commemorate the Centenary of the foundation of the independent parish of Belle dedicated to St. Lawrence on 2 November 1910. The Parish Day will give us an opportunity to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of the parish with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass and an opportunity to manifest our solidarity and unity as parishioners by partaking in the community meal that would be prepared by the parishioners themselves in association with four reputed caterers of the parish. In this way, besides giving thanks to God we will be showing our gratitude to our forefathers from whom we have received the gift of faith, love and solidarity.

 

When the Centenary Year Celebrations were inaugurated during the Annual Parish Feast in the first week of January 2009, we had chosen as our ideal “Building the Parish Family Unitedly”. In all the programmes that we had undertaken so far and the programmes that we will be undertaking during the remaining part of the Centenary Year, we have been attempting to achieve the ideal of a United Parish Family. As the external symbol of this objective the entire parish community will be joining in offering the Thanksgiving Mass on 1 November 2010 and thereafter will be participating in the community lunch that  has been made possible by a large number of sponsors and volunteers.

 

 

I am happy to inform that in this year of the Centenary celebration we have undertaken a number of spiritual and cultural activities. The parish has enriched itself by the journey of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of this parish through all the 22 wards visiting each and every house of the parish from February to July of this year. This has helped in a great way in the spiritual revival and promotion of unity and cooperation among the families and individuals within each ward.

 

The parishioners of Belle have been of generous disposition and they have been contributing whole heartedly to developmental work in the parish. As lasting memorial to the Centenary Year celebrations we have already started giving a new look to the Cross Hill by leveling the top portion and providing better access to it. Besides this there is a proposal to purchase a vehicle to provide transport facility to the students of the educational institutions, especially for St. Lawrence English Medium School.

 

 

Besides the celebration of the Parish Day on 1 November 2010, there will be other spiritual and cultural programmes chalked out for the rest of the Centenary Year. On 23 and 24 October 2010, Fr. Ronald Serrao, the former Director of Mangala Jyothi and presently Professor in St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore instructed the parish community how it can actively and meaningfully participate in the liturgical services in the church.

 

On 7 November 2010, the ICYM Unit of the parish will be organizing an inter-parish cultural competition in which the neighboring parishes will be participating. From 9 to 19 November 2010 a number of parishioners along with me will be undertaking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land spread over in Israel, Egypt and Jordan. A Retreat will be preached between 12 to 16 December 2010. The Christmas will be celebrated with a renewed spirit and enthusiasm.

 

On 31 December 2010, the parishioners will be participating in the procession in which people will voluntarily bring various consumer items such as vegetables, grains, etc. to the church which will be used for a common meal on 2 January 2011. The Confraternity Sunday will be observed in the morning of 2 January  2011 following which there will be ‘Annasantarpane’ (Common meal) in which all the parishioners and people from neighbouring parishes and also non-Christian brethren of the village will participate.

 

 

On 3 January 2011 ‘Religious Day’ will be observed during which a get-together of all the religious men and women from the parish will be organized. On 4 January 2011 the vespers will be celebrated with great devotion and exhibition of fireworks. On 5 January 2011, the valedictory function of the Centenary Year will be held following the solemn Annual Parish Feast which will be concelebrated by a large number of priests led by  Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore. On the same day in the evening a  public function will be held which will be presided over by Most Rev.Dr.Albert D’Souza, Archbishop of Agra who belongs to our parish.

 

With these above programmes the Centenary Year of the foundation of the Parish of Belle will come to a formal end. However, the spirit of the Centenary Year, that is, the spiritual revival and community bond will linger for years to come.

 

As we celebrate the Centenary Year of the foundation of St. Lawrence Parish, Belle, my thoughts go beyond the parish to all those parishioners of Belle who are working hard in different cities of India, Gulf countries and other parts of the world. Through Bellevision.com, I extend a warm welcome to all the parishioners within India and abroad to make it a point to participate in the Parish Day celebration as well as other Centenary Programmes that will be held in the near future. I earnestly hope that a large number of parishioners will attend the Annual Parish Feast and the closing function of the Centenary Year. Pray that St. Lawrence, our patron saint bless you all and grant you and your families good health and happiness.

 

Fr. Joswey Fernandes,
Parish Priest,
St. Lawrence Parish Belle

 

 

Comments on this Article
Wilson, Mangalore Thu, November-4-2010, 2:32
You all are happy to celeberating this day .Thanks to god that this parish given birth to great people with good heart . This parish also gave birth to so many doctors ,engineers & technicians who are working in middle east and supporting thier families back home. Also this place gave birth to some evil persons who spoil thier families .
Sr. Isabella lobo, Kattingeri/ Italy Sun, October-31-2010, 12:54
Fr. Joswey Congratulations for all the good works that you do, specially for the grand celebration of the parish cenetinary. May our Patron Saint reward in hundredfold. I will be remembering you praying for you all.
John Peter Fernandes, Moodubelle/Nottingham U.K Sat, October-30-2010, 4:37
Congratulations all belle parishioners and wishing all the best for Centenary celebrations.
Felix Fernandes, Moodubelle / Kuwait Sat, October-30-2010, 8:53
With regard to the subject on debate, I would like to point out that we only have typical kind of education in our place. What if we can have job oriented courses such as Industrial training and something similar. This may not require high investment and may be with little additional facility this could be accommodated. This will give more option to the students after 10th or 12th. I think this is a good food for thought.
Jeevan D\ Souza, Moodubelle Sat, October-30-2010, 6:39
Congratulations to all Belle Parishioners on centenary celebrations! Commenting on the subject of our English Medium School, I would like to express my view. We have just started a science section in our junior college. Imagine this: most of our children go to schools outside Belle. Are they going to comeback to do their 11th and 12th in Belle? Then what was the need to spend so much on science block. Science block was started to give education to children of Belle, not outsiders. Think about what we are losing out? We all know English Medium schools are the future and we cannot undermine this fact. As Vijay D\ Souza pointed out what we need at this moment is a strong leader who has self belief. I am sure; people will support this worthy cause.
Vincent Martis, Belle Sat, October-30-2010, 5:03
I agree with the comments on this topic. In the recent years Belle Parish has achieved a lot which includes new Church campus, renewed facilities at School / PU College etc. But this should not stop here, the progress should keep going. The improvement on the quality education should be given priority. If good progress is seen in education field Moodubelle can produce better students and it will create opportunity for Degree College in Moodubelle itself. I think a serious thought should be given in this direction.
ANITHA D SOUZA, Moodubelle / Sharjah Sat, October-30-2010, 3:21
Dear Fr.Joswy I wish all the best on our church centenery celebrations.I agree with Vijay s comments.why our Eng Med children speak only in kannada? Why are the teachers so poor in english?Why we are not getting good teachers in our schools.Dear Fr.appoint some good teachers .
Fr. Raymond D Souza, Moodubelle/Allahabad Sat, October-30-2010, 2:21
Dear Fr. Joswey, thanks for the invitation. I wish all the success and God s blessings on the centenary celebrations.
Valerian D Souza, Moodubelle Sat, October-30-2010, 1:26
Need of the hour is focus on our educational institutions. If we donot take the right decision now, things may not be favorable in the future. Let us not allow to die down our schools for which our ancisters shed lots of sweat and put in lots of hard work and money as well.
Staney D Souza, Moodubelle Thu, October-28-2010, 4:33
I do agree with the opinion of Vijay. We cannot see any pro activeness in belle. This will have a very big impact on the growth of the parish and its institutions in the long run.Unless we take some bold decisions today, future will have very serious impact.It no good to repent later on. Today we are living in competitive world. Untill and unless we have good stuff , we will be out of the race. I request all the preists and council members kindly have long cited thought on this.Please donot waste your energy for non result oriented things. May the Lord bless us all.
Sr.helen fernandes, kattingeri/France Wed, October-27-2010, 9:10
Dear fr.Joswey,Thanks a lot for the invitation I wish you all the parishners all the best for the centenary celebrations will be united to all of you in my prayers.
Vijay Dsouza, Moodubelle Wed, October-27-2010, 1:57
Happy to read the centenary arrangements. May St.Lawrence bless all the people of Moodubelle during this period. I could observe a few things which I would like to share here. Eventhough its a centenary year, there is not much enthusiasm seen in the parish as well as outside. I remember during High school golden jubilee we could see so much of preparation and information was given in advance. There were so many articles on this website which acted as a moral boost around the world. But nothing of that sorts seen this time. Moodubelle church is today blessed with 4 priests, but still the activities are not seen. Our youth movement is not in good health as I heard that they have hardly 15 - 20 members whereas ICYM used to have 50-75 members. Is there lack of leadership? Also this centenary year could have been a best time to impliment new projects, people of Belle will support any project when it is planned and executed in a professional manner. Money is not a hurdle in Belle but the hurdle is leadership and vision. Any major project such as improving standard of English medium school, renovating church hall ... etc would have been easily done. Please look ahead and plan advance
Benedict Noronha, Udupi/Muscat Wed, October-27-2010, 12:24
I wish the centenary celebrations functons every success and pray that through the intercessions of St.Lawrence, God bless with pleasant climate and good health and cheerfulness among all the parishioners,so that evey one will be able to take part in the retreat and the feastly functions and receive benefits there from. May God Bless all.
Valerian Alva, London/Moodubelle Tue, October-26-2010, 3:31
Dear Fr. Joswey, I wish you all the best on your centenery programme celebations. May our patron St. Lawrence give you good health to celebrate this occations.
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