Kanajar: Celebrations at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

By Pundalika Marathe
Bellevision Media Network

Kanajar, 23 November 2010: Completely renovated Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Kanajar will have the celebrations from 27 November until 01 December 2010. The celebrations includes inauguration of the renovated church, various religious programs, mass, annual day of church, feast mass and other programs, said the Parish Preist Rev. Fr. Alwyn D’Cunha in the press conference on Sunday at Kanajar church.

 

Rev. Fr. Alwyn D’Cunha

 

In the press conference Mable Nazareth – Vice President of Parish Council, Sr. Meena – Sr. Superior of Lourds Convent, R. E. Rebello – Headmaster of Church School, Br. Richard Lobo and Ignatius D’Souza – Member of Parish Council were present.

 

The church is located at Kanajar, near Karkala Bailur and has the vast history of 72 years. Having about 400 Christian families, it is one of the parishes having the highest Christian population in Karkala region. The church was built 72 years ago and was recently renovated repairing the roof, interior and the tower. The entrance and the altar have been covered with granite stones.

 

The church was raised in Kanajar with the efforts of Rev. Fr. William Antony Lewis in 1938 who was at that time the Asst. Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church Moodubelle. Visualising the difficulties faced by the people of Bailur, Kanajar, Neere, Yarlapadi, Palli, Kawdoor and Ninjoor to attend Mass on Sundays and other important days and fulfill their other spiritual needs due to the great distance from these regions to Belle and Karkala, Fr. William Lewis initiated his efforts for raising the church in Kanajar and a beautiful church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed.

 

 

Kanajar Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Mangalore diocese. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes brought from France and the beautifully constructed Grotto are the main attractions of this place. In the 5 days celebrations starting on 27 November, at morning 11.30 am “Hore Kanike” will be brought in from various neighboring Churches and also from Hindu and Muslim centers, in procession and will be received under the leadership of the Presidents of Neere, Bailur and Palli Panchayaths and local leaders.

 

On 28 November will be the Confraternity Sunday, the Eucharistic procession will be lead by Rector Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis. The renovated Church will be inaugurated on 29 November by Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore followed by High Mass. Then at 11.30 am in the program Karnataka Govt. Higher Education Minister Dr. V. S. Acharya, Karkala MLA H. Gopal Bandary and Rev. Fr. John A. Barboza will be present.

 

On 30 November Tuesday, on the occasion of the church annual celebration at evening there will be procession, followed by Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Herald Pereira – Parish Priest of Paladka Church and there will be fire works after that. On 01 December Wednesday will be the Parish Feast. The Feast High Mass will be celebrated by Director of ICYM Udupi District Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes.