Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)
Udupi, Jan 20: The golden jubilee of St Paul Chapel, Neelavar in Brahmavar here was celebrated with much devotional fervour and glory on Saturday, January 20.
Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi presided over the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebrations while Dr Joseph Dolphy Pais, provincial, Holy Trinity province of Karnataka, Fr Victor Fernandes, parish priest Holy Family Church, Brahmavar, Fr Roshan D’Souza, assistant parish priest, Fr Dominic Veigas and other priests from the deanery were present.
In his homily, bishop of Udupi said, "As we celebrate the golden jubilee of this chapel, it is a happy occasion for the Catholics of Neelavar. The theme of this day is also jubilee celebration; it is how we celebrate the jubilee year. The Jews used to celebrate Sabbath on seventh day and celebrate the day together; it was also a day of rest for them. Jubilee year is a remembrance. When we look back to this chapel fifty years, there is the sacrifice of priests, the efforts of our ancestors and dedication of people which brought forth this glorious jubilee celebration. This jubilee celebration can be celebrated with five ‘S’ that is ‘Smarane’ - remembrance, ‘Santhapa' - solace, ‘Sadhana’ - mediation, ‘Sanmarga’ - the good path, and ‘Sambrama’ - celebration. These five words sum up the meaning of jubilee.”
“When we introspect the long 50 years, we see the sacrifice of the priests, the efforts of our ancestors and dedication of our people. Today we remember all the difficulties that they faced to nurture their faith in God. Jubilee is a call to change the life and increase our faith. John Baptist had appealed people to change the life and spoke about Jesus Christ. And this jubilee year, we too have the same call to know our sins and live a good life. Jubilee is a sign of forgiveness; let it not be just for the name sake. Let us forgive each other and help the needy and poor. Jubilee is a call to lead the life in the way of God; to live according to God's and be with God through prayer, sacrifice and forgiveness like the way St Paul followed God. His life changed when God spoke to him. From Saul, he became Paul and later witnessed God through his life.”
“Finally Jubilee is a celebration. It is a year of celebration. It is holy and indeed a blessing from god and that is why we are part of it. May God bless us all in this jubilee year and lead us in his path. Let us thank our patron and God on this day and live according to the word of God,” he concluded.
The stage program began with prayer dance.
Fr Victor Fernandes, Capuchin, parish priest of Holy Family church, Brahmavar handed over the candles to all the sponsors on the occasion.
In the formal felicitation program, Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi presided, while Dr Joseph Dolphy Pais, OFM, provincial, Holy Trinity province of Karnataka, Pramod Madhwaraj, minister in-charge Udupi, state minster for youths, sports, fisheries, Asha Kotian, Neelavar panchayat president, Fr Victor Fernandes, parish priest Holy Family Church, Brahmavar, Fr Roshan D’Souza, assistant parish priest, Fr Dominic Vegas, Fr Anthony Vaz, Ravi Prakash Gonsalves, vice president, parish pastoral council, Antony Barnes, sectary, parish pastoral council, Philomena D'Souza, former priest of Brahmavar Church Fr Josly D’Silva, Fr William Andrade, Fr Sudeep Gonsalves, Fr Grefrin, Fr Dominic Veigas, Fr Antony Vaz, Fr Charles Saldhana, were present.
In his address, Neelavar panchayat president Asha Kotian said, “We are celebrating the golden Jubilee of this chapel and it is a very proud moment for us. Lord Jesus Christ had forgiven the people who were responsible for his death. Today we see violence everywhere but if we lead our life according to the values of Jesus Christ, we can make our society a better place to live in. The priest serving here extend their whole-hearted service to the poor and needy .I'm glad to say that panchayat will release Rs 1,60,000 for interlock in the church premises.”
Fr Joseph Dolhpy Pais Capuchin, provincial minister Holy Trinity, Karnataka addressing the gathering said, “I congratulate the people of Neelavar area for keeping their faith lively in this place. Today people want to live in city areas near to church. But people of this chapel live away from the city area and have kept their faith in God. Many priests have served in this chapel and also there are many priests from these areas who are serving in various places today. Chapel is for the people, people are not for the chapel. Late Fr Alfred Roche built this chapel and after that many priests have served here. May this chapel grow and be an independent church soon.”
Fr Joseph Dolhpy Pais also read out the message given by Fr Stany Roshan D'Souza Capuchin, native priest of Neelavar and now serving as province delegate at Mizoram, Tripura and Assam.
Minister for youth affairs and sports, fisheries and district in-charge of Udupi, Pramod Madhwaraj said, “Neelavar is a backward place. There are very few Catholics in this place with minimum basic facilities. God has blessed me to provide roads to this place after I became MLA. St Paul chapel is a part of Brahmavar church with only 32 families and today they are celebrating the golden Jubilee of this chapel. Indeed it is a happy occasion. Sunday mass is compulsory to our Christian friends and this chapel has helped them immensely who find difficulty to go to Brahmavar church. With the leadership of the bishop many churches have been renovated and newly built. Building a church is not important but the faith in God is important. Where there faith, there is power of God and blessings of God. May be this is a small chapel but their faith in God is bigger. I feel happy that this chapel has completed 50 years. May this chapel complete 75 years and let us meet for the happy occasion again.”
Addressing the gathering, bishop of Udupi diocese said, “I thank God for this day and congratulate all the parishioners of the parish on this day. May God bless you all! We are indeed happy today. I can see the dedication and happiness of the people today. The late Fr Alfred Roche had lit a lamp and with the service of Capuchin priests and they have kept this chapel lively. I’m thankful to the parish priest and the assistant priest of Brahmavar church for their interest towards this chapel. There are many changes in this place after my pastoral visit last time. The efforts and dedication and the service to the people must be lauded. There are only 32 families in this chapel but they have made this celebration really a beautiful one. I appreciate their work and dedication.”
Further he said, “Let the faith of the people grow and may they celebrate Eucharist together. These people have given witness to God’s glory. We have dedicated this year for the ‘Word of God ‘Lexio Divina’. May the people lead their life in the path of word of God and may they receive God’s blessings. Let us build our family with God’s grace and be together. In this modern world we are away from our families; so let the family members pray together, have food together and spend some time together and this will help the family to be like Holy family. As the provincial said, let us see what the bishop will give to the church. I can say I will provide a priest to this chapel for the spiritual needs of the people. May this chapel grow and witness God’s glory.”
Donors of the chapel were felicitated by the bishop. On behalf of late basil D'Souza and late Cecilia D'Souza, donors of the land to the chapel, their daughter-in-law Philomena D'Souza was honoured on the occasion. Former priests Fr Dominic Veigas and Fr Antony Vaz were felicitated. Bishop also felicitated the previous ward representatives of the chapel during the program
Anisha Pinto welcomed the gathering and Vishal D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Wilma and Vivek D’Souza compered the programme. Brief history of 50-year-old chapel was read out by Philomena D'Souza.
On November 10, 1976, this chapel was inaugurated by the late Basil D'Souza former bishop of Mangalore diocese. Late Fr Alfred Roche built the chapel with help of local Catholics. Since then, many priests have served the chapel and concentrated on faith mission.