Pics: Kevin Rodrigues

Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (WD/KR)

Karkala, Jan 25: The five-day annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur concluded here on a high note on Thursday, January 25 with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presiding over the festive Eucharistic celebration. The festival this year revolved around the theme ‘Blessed are those who help the poor and needy’.

A huge flock of devotees were gathered for the Eucharistic Celebration on the final day of the festivity.

Fr Josswi Fernandes, Dean, Karkala deanery, Fr Roshan Menezes, Episcopal vicar for religious, Fr George D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, and other priests from the diocese where the co- celebrants of the festive mass. The feast of Our Lady of Guidance was also celebrated here.

In his homily, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, said, “On November 17, 2017 Sister Rani Maria from Indore, Madhya Pradesh was declared blessed by the Pope. Sister Rani Maria had worked for the tribal people to get back their rights. Angered by the selfless work of Sister Rani Maria the Zamindars of the village hired Samandar Singh to kill her and he stabbed her to death. In spite of so many difficulties, she witnessed God by helping the tribes and backward people. There are many more saints who have dedicated their life to the poor and needy. Insufficient food, no proper shelter and clothes, dangerous diseases are the major problems today a society is facing. There are people who strive hard to get basic facilities. We see it in our country itself. But we have become blind, lame and deaf towards these people and even we don’t need teachings of Jesus today.”

“Jesus led a poor life and was born in a cowshed. His father was a poor carpenter. He came for the poor and was even impressed by the offering of a poor widow in the temple. If we give our little bit attention to these people, we will be appreciated by God. We are the believers of the God Almighty; we have to live as per the word of God. There is no use of faith if we have no sympathy towards poor and needy. Let the life of St Lawrence be an inspiration to lead such life,” he added.

During the five days of the celebration, five bishops Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shivamogga , Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady, Dr K A William, bishop, diocese of Mysuru, Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, bishop, diocese of Mangaluru and Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi had celebrated the festive mass. Nearly 38 priests celebrated mass in Kannada and Konkani, and about 350 priests from various congregations rendered their service to lacs of devotees through the practice of 'confession'.

Fr George D’souza, rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica thanked each and everyone for their support in making the five-day feast a glorious and successful one. He also thanked the bishop of Udupi for his cooperation and guidance throughout the year in each and every development work of the Basilica. He thanked Msgr Baptist Menezes, Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, diocese of Udupi, deacons and the St Lawrence Basilica committee. He further thanked vice president John D’Silva, and Leena D'Silva, secretary of the parish pastoral council, and other members of the council, the church choir, and choir groups from different parishes of the diocese, organizations of the parish and various committee members of the festival. He extended his gratitude to the president, vice president, PDO of Nitte gram panchayat, Laxman Nimbargi, SP of Udupi, Karkala town and rural police personnel, home guards, primary health centre, Mescom, fire bridge officials and others for their support in making this festive celebration a grand success. He also thanked MLA Sunil Kumar towards helping to release the funds for widening the roads in Basilica area. He thanked minister of Planning and Statistics, IT, BT, Science and Technology M R Seetharam towards releasing the funds for 4.5 lac litres tank construction and also for construction of roads.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi thanked Fr George D'Souza, rector of the Basilica, for his all service throughout the year and appreciated his developmental service. He also thanked Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, for his service at the Basilica .He appreciated the selfish service of the parishioners towards the Basilica.

He called to the devotees to remember this miraculous place in their prayers. He urged the devotees to extend their helping hand towards the upcoming development projects at Basilica. He also blessed all the devotees for their support.