News and Pics by Santhu Omzoor (GA)

Mangalore, Jun 20: St Lawrence Church at Bola near Panir which was a mission station of Our Lady of Mercy Church of Panir was installed as new parish on Friday June 16.  The new church has been handed over to the Claretian congregation who would cater to the spiritual needs of the parishioners of Bola hereafter.

St Lawrence's chapel at Bola was part of Panir church from 1979.  The parish priests from Panir church used to cater for the spiritual needs of the people all these years.  But it was the long cherished dream of the Bola people that they should have their own parish.  It was realized on June 16 with Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza officially declaring Bola as new parish.

Fr Pradeep Correa who had earlier served as assistant parish priest at Mudipu and Vijayadka was installed as the first parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Bola.

Diocesan chancellor Fr Denis Moras Prabhu officiated the handing over of Bola church to Claretian congregation.  This was followed by solemn Eucharistic celebration which was celebrated by Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore.  New parish priest Fr Pradeep Correa, Claretian provincial Fr Xavier Manavat and many priest from the deanery concelebrated the Eucharist.  Hundreds of devotees partook in the solemn sung mass.

Bishop Aloysius Paul presided over the felicitation programme which was held after the mass.  Fr Xavier Manavat, Fr Marcel Saldanha, former parish priest of Panir and Fr Victor D'Souza, parish priest of Panir, Joseph Cutinha, vice-president  of chapel committee were also present on the dais.  Chapel committee secretary Philip Monteiro red presented the history of Bola chapel before the gathering.  Fr Marcel Saldanha was honoured by Bishop on the occasion.

Presently 62 families from Panir church and 40 families from Vorkady church have joined Bola church.  So all together there are 102 families under the jurisdiction of Bola church.  Fr Fels Onelil of Claretian congregation has been appointed assistant parish priest of Bola.  This is the first Claretian parish in the Mangalore diocese.

Fr Victor D'Souza welcomed the gathering and Joseph Cutinho proposed the vote of thanks.  Rolphy Mascarenhas compered the programme.