The renovated & Air conditioned - Mount Rosary Millennium Hall, declared open for public use

By P. Archibald Furtado
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 12 May 2023: It is one of the best and strategic locations in Santhekatte Junction, popularly known as New Udupi; this Auditorium was very much in demand over the last two decades. With the passage of time, people, especially younger generation insisting for more facilities and modern amenities, of course it is a genuine demand too, under the changing circumstances……

 

After much discussion and evaluation the Mount Rosary Church authorities took the revolutionary step for modifications and to refurbish the same not only by giving an exterior modern look with grand entrance, gallery… But most significantly a facelift in the interiors with air-conditioning, new flooring, sound proof elevation, new and attractive stage, green room, washroom facilities, separate provisions for dressing, caterers etc were suitably added.

 

On Friday, 12th May, 2023, at 10.00 am the parish community assembled in large number to witness the inaugural program. Once, His Excellency Rt Rev Dr. Jerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi and other dignitaries and guests in Rt Rev Dr Leo Cornelio, Rt Rev Dr. Jerald Mathias, Bishop of Lucknow, Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General, V. Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral and Dean, V. Rev Dr Leslie C DSouza, Dean of Shirva varado and other invited priests of the deanery and diocese were given a cordial and ceremonial welcome at the Church entrance, all marched to the well carved artistic main door of the Hall.

 

 

Well-known Builder and proprietor, Dr Jerry Vincent Dias, M/S Mandovi Real Estate Developers and philanthropist, along with wife Mrs Molly Dias, cut the ribbon to declare open the renovated Millennium Auditorium. Most Rev Dr Leo Cornelio SVD, The Archbishop of Bhopal (Emeritus), unveiled plaque displaying the founders and donors.

 

After the Blessings Ceremony and Prayers, led by Bishop Jerald Isaac Lobo, also presided over the brief but elegant stage programme, to recognise the donors and the services of various well wishers.

 

Once the guests were escorted to the dais, Rev Dr. Roque DSouza, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church extended a warm welcome to all Guests and dignitaries and briefed the crispy background of this monumental Hall which had the history of being witness to great and historical events during past two decades.

 

Nevertheless its apt to refresh the good old memories – the credit rightly goes to Rev Fr Godfrey Saldanha, a farsighted MRC Vicar 1995 -2002, to dream and materialise three in one projects, with the generous contributions of parishioners and well-wishers – in those challenging years - An English Medium School, a commercial complex of 14 ownership shops with a water well and above the complex the spacious MRM Hall which got inaugurated on 04-01-2000, on the auspicious occasion of Annual parish feast, by our own Rosarian, then Bishop of Kandwa, Madhya Pradesh Rt Rev Dr. Leo Cornelio. Almost close to two years this Hall served as Church to have Holy Mass during the construction of present majestic new church building in 2013 – 2014 and accommodated School children classes while the work was in progress as new additional building was getting ready.

 

It was Rev Dr Leslie C DSouza, the former Parish priest who proposed the plan to modernise the hall at par with current needs, with substantial reserved funds ear marked for the purpose and got it approved. After his transfer to Shirva Deanery in June, 2022, Rev Dr Roque DSouza who took charge as Vicar, tirelessly mobilised additional required funds from the parishioners, and as a result today – redecorated, ‘The Mount Rosary Millennium Auditorium’ rightly attracts people in the surrounding to have their great events over here, in days to come…..!

 

The diamond donor Mr Jerry Vincent Dias was deservedly honoured on this occasion and It was a feast to listen to him, who spoke from his heart and soul, for whom this parish very close and patron Mother Mary in particular, as he narrated his early struggling days till today, how Almighty Lord blessed him, his family and business and insisted the gathering to pray and receive blessings in abundance.

 

All generous contributors and donors were recognised especially Rs 1 lakhs to Rs 10,000/- and above with memento. Trios in Mr Baptist Dias, the former Vice President of PP Council, Vijay Sequeira, and specially Mr Zaheer who led executed , supervised and completed the renovation job of the Hall meticulously to be attractive not compromising its quality.

 

Guests of Honour, Bishop Leo Cornelio, and Bishop Jerald Mathias extended their greetings and congratulated the parishioners to have only second AC Hall in the entire Diocese of Udupi.

 

Newly appointed Vicar General Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves was specially honoured on this occasion. While thanking the organisers he expressed his happiness to witness the fast development of this Church from all angles.

 

 

In his presidential address, Bishop Jerald Isaac Lobo, remembered the founders and promoters who had clear goals and put in their sincere efforts and appreciated the best quality renovation work a daunting task, though not easy and now looking at it, everyone feel it is a worthy job, well executed. He had a word of praise to former Vicar Fr Leslie DSouza who initiated and present Parish priest Fr Roque DSouza who completed the renovation and all the donors including Dr J. V Dias and all other contributors and parishioners who joined their hands with their parish priest.

 

Members and Office bearers of the Parish Pastoral Council in - Vice President Mr Luke DSouza, proposed vote of thanks to all who participated and patronised, Secretary Mrs Priya Furtado, who aptly compeered the whole programme, Mrs Daisy Mendonca, coordinator 20 Ayogs, former office bearers, Members of the Finance Committee were present and appreciated for their leadership and organisation.

 

Rev Fr Steevan Fernandes, former Asst. Priest, Mt Rosary Church invoked blessing on meal as all present were served with lunch generously sponsored by Julius Lewis, City Caterers.