Moodbidri: Taccode Church Celebrates Post-Centenary Platinum Jubilee

Media Release

Moodbidri, Jan 5: The post-centenary platinum jubilee (175 years) of Holy Cross Church, Taccode was celebrated recently at the church premises.

The programmed was presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore. Addressing the gathering, he said, "The faith you have received from your forefathers has to be handed over to the next generation."

Earlier, the Bishop offered the solemn Eucharistic celebration along with many priests, nuns and the laity. After the Eucharistic celebration, all the guests and the chief guests were escorted to the decorated open ground with the solemn music of brass band, Nasik band, YCS and ICYM volunteers.

The students of Adarsh High School performed a welcome dance for the guests.

The parish priest Dr Mark Castelino welcomed the guests, who were given a floral welcome. The secretary of parish pastoral council Valerian Moras presented a brief history of 175 years of the existence of the Holy Cross Church and its service to humanity.
 
Abhayachandra Jain, the local MLA and the chief whip of opposition party in Karnataka government distributed the individual prizes to the winners of various games and addressed the crowd. He highlighted the selfless and dedicated services of the church in various fields especially in health and education in India in general and in Dakshina Kannada district in particular. In this context, he highlighted the selfless services of the Holy Cross Church to all the people around Taccode, especially in the fields of education by teaching to read and write to the vast mass of humanity in and around Taccode for more than 130 years.

The prizes for group games of the parishioners were distributed by Amarnath Shetty, former MLA. He said that in the 175 years of its existence, the Taccode church has established its goodness in the local society by teaching basic human values.

The post-centenary platinum jubilee souvenir of the Holy Cross Church was brought to stage by editor Mark Cyril Pinto and released by parish priest Dr Mark Castelino in the presence of the guests.

The past and the present parish priests were honoured by the Bishop on this special occasion for their selfless service to the Holy Cross Church. 

While speaking on behalf of the honoured parish priests, the senior most existing parish priest Fr Clifford D’Souza said that the people of Taccode had received faith more than 175 years back and it needs to be continued and handed over to the next generation. "There is an need for fostering vocations at Taccode," he added.

The vicar forane of Moodbidri varado Fr Austin Peres honoured the past and the present vice-presidents and secretaries of parish pastoral council of Taccode. In his address, he acclaimed the pastoral and missionary work of 42 parish priests. He also congratulated the Taccode church in taking the lead to give birth to new churches at Shirthady, Venur and Gantalkatte.

The former Gurkars of the church were honoured by Flavia Mendes, member of Hosabettu gram panchayat and Chandrahasa Sanil, president of Hosabettu gram panchayat, honoured the existing Gurkars of the church. The overall championship was given by the Bishop.

John Rego, vice-president of the parish pastoral council proposed the vote of  thanks. Fr Stany B Lobo said the grace before the meals and parish priest Dr Mark Castelino invited all to participate in the fellowship meal.

A magnanimous firework was the centre of attraction starting from the commencement of the programme till the end.

Lynel Rego from Rambail and Jenitha D’Costa from Arambody conducted the whole programme as the masters of ceremony. Praveen Pereira from Kakkebettu was the MC for the cultural programme, which included magic show and dances.
 
At the end, a Konkani play ‘Melya Upraanth’ was staged by Mandd Sobhann.