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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: The newly-built Infant Mary Church at Bajjodi was solemnly inaugurated by the provincial superior of the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province Fr Charles Serrao OCD on Friday January 2 at 9 am.

A procession was organized from convent to the church in which the faithful participated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

The holy Eucharist was celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru, who also blessed the new church.

Fr Henry Sequeira, Chancellor of Mangalore diocese read the decree of the Bishop and proclaimed Bajjodi as parish.

In the homily, Fr Pius James D'Souza, Episcopal Vicar for religious, said, "God wants to stay with us in the form of Jesus in the eucharist, so we all need to lead a life pleasing to the lord." He also explained through biblical examples the value of the Alter, Tabernacle and faith.

The walls of the church were blessed by the bishop.

A felicitation programme was also organized after the mass. Fr Deep Fernandes gave a floral welcome to the guests on the dias.

Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru presided over the function, Fr Charles Serrao, Fr Joe Tauro, the superior of St Joseph's Monastery, Carmel Hill, Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest of St Sebastian Church Bendore and Fr Melvin D'Cunha OCD, former priest in charge and present parish priest of Infant Mary Church, Fr Pius James D'Souza, Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Fr Peter Noronha, Fr Nelson Pinto, Corporator Keshava M, Lancy Mascarenhas, contractor, George the engineer, Lawrence Cutinha the architect and other dignitaries were present with clergymen and devotees during the function.

All the donars who contributed for the church were felicitated during the occasion.

provincial superior of the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province, Fr Charles Serrao unveiled souvenir of the Bajjodi parish.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Charles Serrao said, "35 years back this place had few houses and most of the land was full of forest. But now the place is full of houses and amidst that lies this beautiful church. I thank the Bishop for giving the church for the Carmelite order , I thank Fr Melvin D'Cunha, for taking so much of struggle and pain for raising this beautiful church, the donors also played a vital role in building this church. May God will bless them in abundance."

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru said, "This church is built to keep the contact with God. Parish is like a family. All six wards with 327 families need to live as members of one family and help one another during the difficult times. I congratulate Fr Melvin D'Cunha for his efforts for building this beautiful church and also the donars who contributed in raising the fund for the church. Giving the church to teh faithful is like giving it to God and he will reward the people who took helped to build it. The special thing about Carmelites is they are very religious and prayerfull priests. This parish has to grow in prayers. I thank God for the countless blessings on us."

Fr Melvin D'Cunha OCD, parish priest of Infant Mary Church was honoured during the occasion by the parishoners for his dedicated service in building the church.

Lancy Mascarenhas, George,Lawrence Cutinha, contractor, engineer and artchitect were honoured during the function.

Teacher Aloysius D'Souza compered the programme and Fr Melvin D'Cunha proposed the vote of thanks.

A lunch was also arranged for all the gathering on the occasion.