Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 26: Thousands of faithful gathered at St Anne's Church, Thottam here on Wednesday July 26 to celebrate the titular feast of two saints St Joachim and St Anne, parents of Mother Mary and the grandparents of Jesus Christ. The feast is also dedicated to all the grandparents in the Catholic Church. A celebratory Mass was held honouring St Anne.

Fr Leslie D’Souza, parish priest, Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte presided over the holy Eucharistic celebrations, while Fr Stany B Lobo, dean, Kallianpur deanery, Fr Francis Cornelio, parish priest, Thottam, priests from the deanery and other places took active part in the celebrations.

In his homily, Fr Leslie D'Souza said, "Day by day we can see elderly people increasing in numbers, as while the number of children are decreasing. Today’s feast gives a meaningful message towards the same. If we look after our elders very well, then we will be blessed by the Heavenly Father, as they are the source of our blessings. They are the living sanctuary of God. The faith which we have received today is given by our parents.

"Our parents have educated us about the holy sacraments. Because of them we have been able to have faith in the holy Catholic Church. Our lives have become so busy that we do not have the time to look after our own parents or other elderly people at home," he said.

"In the church there are many organizations and associations that take pictures and prepare reports about visiting old age homes. But we have failed to look at our own houses.

"The lives led by St Joachim and St Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary are an example to be followed in our life. Family life should be holy and filled with values. It should be counted as a blessing from God," Fr Leslie added.

Fr Francis Cornelio, parish priest, Thottam welcomed and thanked the gathering.

Oswald Vas and family, Thottam, Bahrain were the sponsors of the titular feast.

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