Media Release
Bantwal, Sep 17: The parish dedicated to Infant Jesus at Bantwal –Modankap, stepped into another milestone, in its 310 years of history, on the September 15 with the launching of the parish website www.bantwalchurch.com.
It was a unique triple celeberation, the other two being the Marian Hymns competition at the parish level between the 23 wards of the parish and finally the parish family savoring the 'novem', at the parish hall, both the latter programs conducted on the occasion of Monti Fest. The whole program was coordinated by the ICYM members of the parish.
ICYM member Canon welcomed all those who were present. Parish priest Maxim Noronha, presided over the program.
Fr Joseph Martis, rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, Fr Ronald Serrao, professor and dean of studies of St Joseph’s Seminary, and Jennifer Pinto, choir master and organist were the chief guests and the judges for the competition.
Along with the president and the chief guests, Fr Anil Canute D’Mello, assistant parish priest of the parish, Harald D’Souza, the parish vice president, Francis Saldanha, the secretary of the parish and Santhosh D’Souza, president of ICYM unit were on the dais to light the lamp before the Statue of Mother Mary and inaugurate the triple program.
Maxim Noronha wished well to all the competitors and organizers. He said "such a unique program should not be seen in isolation as only as a completion but it is an occasion to bring the parish family together. Mother Mary is reverently loved by all Catholics and she is well accepted as a member of our Catholic families."
It is but apt to come together as a family to savor the 'novem' on the occasion of Monthi Fest, he added. A total of 300 competitors participated from 23 ward groups.
The rector of the Seminary Fr Joseph Martis inaugurated the newly constructed website of the parish www.bantwalchurch.com.
In his address he said that the day’s Marian Hymns competition in not merely a competition but singing magnificat as Mary herself did.
The newly launched website will unite the parish more closely, building the bond between the parishioners living within and outside the parish, he added. Fr Anil D’Mello, the assistant Parish Priest and co-director of ICYM, appreciated the efforts of the youth and thanked those responsible for the construction of the website.
Fr Ronald Serrao, on behalf of the judges of the competition, appreciated the efforts of all the participants of the completion. With this completion many parishioners with the melodious voices will be recognized and identified. Since all have put in good efforts, it was a difficult task to select the best one’s. ICYM members Santosh D’souza and Anil D’souza are responsible for constructing website.
On the occasion of Monthi fest, Bantwal as a parish family, the head of the parish family, the parish priest added the blessed new corn, 'novem' to the sweet porridge, after praying for the parish family. The Parish priest and the assistant priest then distributed the same to the guests and to all the ward gurkars and the ICYM members in tern distributed the same to the entire crowd gathered.
Finally the competitors of the competition were given prizes. Anisha Frank delivered the vote of thanks. Wilma and Eden Sequiera compered the whole program.