Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (NF)
Pics: Peter Monis, Prishal Studio
Beltangady, May 18: The newly-built St Sebastian Church of Gardady, Beltangady was inaugurated by bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on Saturday, May 18 in the presence of a large number of devotees and the religious.
The bishop declared the church open for devotees after ringing the new belfry for the first time along with prayers and cutting the ribbon. The bishop celebrated thanksgiving mass in the participation of a number of priests and lay people after the blessing ceremony.
The mass was followed by a felicitation programme organized by parish pastoral council. Parish priest Fr Mark Saldanha welcomed the gathering. Vice-president of parish pastoral council, Praveen Monis gave an introductory speech.
Fr Alwyn Dias, provincial minister of Holy Trinity Capuchin who was the chief guest, released the souvenir. Former parish priest, assistant parish priests, donors, pastoral council vice presidents and secretaries were honored on the occasion.
Beltangady MLA Harish Punja congratulating the parishioners said that it was a great and holy moment for him. "I am extremely happy and honoured to participate in the church inaugural event. I know the Christian community of Beltangady very well as I met most of them in various stages of my education and political career. The community is peace loving and has contributed much to the society. They are the pioneers of education and health sector of our constituency.
"I congratulate the entire Christian community of Beltangady on their new church. There is no doubt that this new church will become a center of harmony and sacred place where anybody can pray and obtain blessings from God," he said.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha highlighting the importance of communal harmony said he came to know that people belonging to various religions came together and helped to complete construction of the church. "It reflects their unity in the society. We need this type of bond which makes the society special and peaceful. No religion preaches hatred and no religion is above humanity. Moral values are the basic needs of every individual. A person automatically begins to respect the religion of his fellowmen when he realizes that religion is only a mode to reach God. We should begin to practice harmony in the name of this new church," he said.
Vicar forane of Beltangady deanery Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, MLC Ivan D’ Souza and former MLA of Beltangady, Vasanth Bangera extended their wishes to parish priest and devotees. Parish priest of Madanthyar church, Fr Basil Vas, parish priest of Badyar church, Fr Melwyn D’ Souza, Fr Anil Silvano Fernandes, member of zilla panchayat Shekar Kukkedy, president of gram panchayat Padangady, Meenakshi, Vice president of gram panchayat Padangady, Santhosh Kumar Jain and Denis Aman Fernandes were present on the dais. Melwyn Sequeira, secretary of parish pastoral council rendered vote of thanks.
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