Udupi: Udyavar Church celebrates 150 years with fitting ceremony

Steevan Colaco, Udyavar
Pics: Mummy Digital Studio, Udyavar

Udupi, May 2: St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar, one of the oldest Churches in the twin dioceses on Wednesday May 1 celebrated 150 years of its existence.

Bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the Holy Eucharistic. Parish priest Fr Cyprian Pinto, Fr Fred Mascarenhas, Fr Henry Mascarenhas, Fr William Martis, Fr Swebert D'Silva and other priests from the neighboring churches, Mangalore diocese and guest priests participated in the Mass.

After the Mass, thanks giving and felicitation programme was arranged at the Church grounds.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi, presided over the function. Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi Diocese, Fr Fred Mascarenhas, dean of Udupi deanery, Fr Cyprian Pinto, parish priest of Udyavar, Lawrence D’sa, vice president of parish pastoral council, John M D’Souza, secretary parish pastoral council, Sr Precilla Menezes, superior of St Francis Xavier Convent, Udyavar, and Sr Leena D’Souza, superior of St Pallotti Convent, Udyavar were present on the dais.

“Church is the mother and a priest is the father who takes care and gives all his love and care to build this church. Today Fr Cyprian finished 25 years of priesthood and he has successfully completed his mission and God's work in different churches. May his success story continue in this Church also and may this Church bring a name to the diocese,” said Fr Baptist Menezes in his address.

Dr Gerald Lobo remembered the services of more than 20 parish priests in the Church and thanked all of them. "It;s one home and one family life in Udyavar Church. Let love, prayer and service always be there in each of the parishioners," he said.

On the occasion, bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Lobo unveiled the ‘Samkalli Pavla’ souvenir book to mark the 150 years of celebration. Judith Fernandes who suggested the name Samkalli Pavla, was given a memento on the occasion by the bishop.

To mark the jubilee, Precilla Sequeira in her mother’s name made the first contribution for jubilee fund for the poor and handed over the cheque to bishop of Udupi. An amount from this fund was given to the church to construct a house and to SVP fund that will help the needy throughout the year.

Secretary John M D’Souza briefly outlined the 150 years of Church history.

There are 550 families, 15 varados, 12 associations in the Church at present. This Church has given a bishop, more than 30 priests and a number of nuns to the Holy Catholic Church.

On the occasion, bishop of Udupi felicitated the priests who rendered their services to the church in the past years. Fr Henry Fernandes, Fr Richard Coelho, Fr Charles Noronha, Fr James D’Souza, Fr Melwyn Lobo, and Fr Melwyn Noronha were among them.

Fr Canute Barboza was honoured on the occasion on receiving doctorate degree from Hampi University. Priests, nuns from the native church were also honoured.

The bishop felicitated past vice-presidents and secretaries who contributed to the Church. John Lobo, Antony Pinto, George Menezes, Godfrey D'Souza, Lawrence D’Sa, Alban Pereira, John D’Souza were among them.

Fr Fred Mascarenhas wished all the parishioners and the parish priest on celebrating jubilee.

Bishop and parishioners felicitated Fr Cyprian Pinto on his silver jubilee of priesthood.

Fr Cyprian Pinto welcomed the gathering, Lawrence D’Sa proposed the vote of thanks. Michele D'Souza and Assumpta Machado compered the programme.

Dr Gerald Almeida, bishop of Jabalpur was present during the culture programme.

Tulu social play “Ennda Nik.. Moke Uandaya”, written by Johny Mariabhoomi was staged by the parishioners at the Church grounds.