Confraternity Sunday and New Year Eve jointly celebrated in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 31 Dec 2023: The Confraternity Sunday in anticipation of the Annual Parish Feast and the New Year Eve were celebrated with great devotion and fervour in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Sunday 31 December 2023 from 05.30 pm to 08.15 pm. The chief celebrant of the day was Fr. Alwyn Sequeira, Editor of the Udupi Diocesan Fortnightly “Uzwaad”.

 

The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament commenced at 05.30 pm. The grand Eucharistic Procession began at 05.45pm. The procession accompanied by brass band and colourful canopies passed through the Cemetery Road and proceeded towards the Main Road and eventually entered the church premises through the main gate. The Blessed Sacrament was carried by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira on a decorated vehicle driven by Valerian Noronha. Pritish D’Sa, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council held the canopy above the Belssed Sacrament.

 

On returning to the church, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was continued by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira as part of the New Year Eve Thanksgiving worship and concluded the Adoration with sacramental Blessing.

 

 

The solemn New Year Eve Mass, commemorating the Feast of “Solemnity of Mary, Mother God” was concelebrated by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira along with Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Assistant Parish Priest and Fr. Edward Fernandes (SVD), a native of Moodubelle serving as a Missionary in Brazil for the past 25 years.

 

In his homily, Fr. Alwyn Sequeira said that Mother Mary being the Mother of Jesus is Mother of all and hence we all belong to one family. The Confraternity Sunday reminds all the parishioners that they belong to one family, that is, the Parish Family. We should be a blessing to others by helping those in need. We should appreciate the good qualities and achievements of others. We should refrain from spreading rumours and gossip about others and keep certain things within ourselves. Finally, whatever we do, we should always think about and do the things for the glory of God.

 

 

At the end of the Mass, Fr. George D’Souza conveyed the greetings of Confraternity Sunday and New Year 2024 to all parishioners. He expressed gratitude to all those who had helped in putting up buntings on the route of the Eucharistic Procession under the leadership of Vincent Fernandes and Herald Martis, Lawrence Alva and Dominic Nazareth for decorating the vehicle for carrying the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Slicess of cake and coffeee sponsored by Valerian Noronha was distributed to all soon after the Mass. 

 

Following the solemn Feast Mass, the YCS members organized New Year Programme in front of the church.