Vespers observed in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on the eve of the Annual Parish Feast

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 03 Jan 2023: Vespers in anticipation of the Annual Parish Feast was observed with great devotion in St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle on Tuesday, 03 January 2023. The chief features of the Vespers were the blessing of the Cherel of St. Lawrence on the Cross Hill next to the church, meditation on the Word of God and the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Fr. Alwyn Sequeira (OCD) was the chief celebrant of the Vespers.

 

At 6.30 pm, parishioners proceeded to the Cross Hill where the youth carried the Cherel of St. Lawrence. After a brief prayer service, Fr. Alwyn Sequeira (OCD) recited the prayer and blessed and incensed the Cherel. Thereafter, people returned in procession to the church.

 

 

Following the readings from the Holy Scripture, Fr. Alwyn Sequeira (OCD) delivering the homily said that God speaks to us constantly, but few listen to His voice and follow His Words. One has to be active in listening to the Word of God and a true Christian is the one who listens to the Word of God and abides by what He learns from the Word of God. Fr. Alwyn Sequeira further explained the significance of the Word of God in building a vibrant parish community.

 

Following the homily, Fr. Alwyn Sequeira conducted the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Besides Fr. George D’Souza-Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Mooddubelle and Fr. Pradeep Cardoza-Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Roshan D’Souza-Chancellor of the Udupi Diocese, Fr. Charles Menenzes-Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr. Joswey Fernandes-Former Parish Priest of Mooddubelle, Fr. Stany Lobo-former Chancellor of the Udupi Diocese and present Parish Priest of Udyavar and a number of priests from the Udupi Deanery were present.

 

 

The surroundings of the church kept up the aura of the annual feast. The church building as well as the shrine, belfry and Grotto were illuminated with colourful lights changing the colour and patters at regular intervals.

 

Stalls with variety of articles and consumer items have been set up in the vacant space that was available in the church premises in front of the Community Hall and down through the road leading to the St. Lawrence PU College.

 

 

Devotees of St. Lawrence were seen praying in front of the Shrine of St. Lawrence and offering lighted candles.

 

Vinay Kumar Sorake, the former Minister and former MLA of the Kaup Constituency visisted the church and conveyed the greetings of the Annual Parish Feast to all the parishioners through the Parish Priest Fr. George D’Souza. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza-Assistant Parish Priest, Vincent Fernandes-former Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza-Former member of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat and A.G. D’Souza were present.