Annual Feast of Sastan Church Celebrated with a Spirit of Devotion

By Michael Rodrigues, Sastan
Bellevision Media Network

Sastan, 06 January 2011: : On Wednesday, 5th January 2011 all roads led to Sastan for the celebration of the annual feast of St. Antony’s Church, Sastan at 10.30 am. Twelve priests from different parishes of the Kundapur Deanery and elsewhere came in procession into the church followed by the Altar Servers, the sponsors (pirgent) and the priests to celebrate the solemn annual feast Mass. The church was full to capacity and arrangements were made for the faithful to attend the feast Mass in front of the church.

 

The chief celebrant of the solemn annual feast Mass was Rev. Fr. Herald Pereira, former Parish Priest of Sastan Church and presently the Parish Priest of Paladka Church. In his homily, Fr. Herald elaborated on the theme of ‘unity’ and said that where there is unity, God resides there. The Almighty God created the world for unity. However, there has been disunity in the world, not because of God but because of the human beings. Fr. Herald further said that the parish community should be like a family. He emphasised on the need to develop Basic Christian Communities (BCC) in every parish in order to foster the sense of unity and togetherness.

 

 

At the end of the festive Mass, Fr. Valerian Fernandes, the parish priest of Sastan, thanked the chief celebrant, Rev. Fr. Herald Pereira and other guest priests and all those who helped in the smooth conduct of the annual feast. He wished all the parishioners of Sastan, their family members who are abroad and all their guests from other parishes a happy annual feast of St. Antony.

 

The church was elegantly decorated for the occasion of the annual feast. The fresh flowers on the altar and the nearby were aesthetically arranged giving an aura of elegance and solemnity to the annual feast. The choir excellently trained by the choir master, Mr. Alban Picardo lifted the spirit of those who attended the annual festive Mass with their melodious singing. This year’s annual feast was sponsored by (pirgent) Stella D’Souza and family Kodi Kanyana.A large number of devotees of St. Antony belonging to different religions were seen making a beeline in front of the statue of St. Antony kept in the portico of the English Medium School. People were also seen burning candles in honour of St. Antony for the favour received from him.

 

The entire church campus was abuzz with people in a carnival like atmosphere.

 

Vespers day (Besp) celebrated at St. Antony’s Church Sastan

 

Vespers day (Besp) in preparation of the Parish Feast was celebrated on Tuesday, January 4th 2011 evening by Sastan parish community with all grandeur.

 

Earlier in the evening, the celebrations and Vespers service commenced sharp at 6.30 PM with the blessing of the chariot of ’’St. Antony’’ followed by candle lit procession by devotees singing hymns. More than 2000 people joined the procession and Vespers day celebrations. The candle lit procession timed well with the setting sun to light up the surroundings.

 

 

 

After the procession there was solemn Vespers mass in the church. Fr. Gerald Veges the Head master  of Nirmala High School Brahmavar was the main celebrant of the ceremonial mass. In keeping with the custom of Vespers day, the main celebrant preached a beautiful homily.

 

A total of 12  priests from Kundapur Deanery and guests priests concelebrated in the Eucharistic celebration.
The church was decorated with flowers. The Mass was followed by spectacular fireworks, which was a real feast to the eyes.
There were many stalls of ICYM along with other variety of shops of various items and eatables in the church compound.