Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD / KR)
Karkala, Jan 26: The annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica began on a splendid note with devotional confraternity Sunday celebrations on Sunday January 26.
Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo flagged off the festive celebrations and presided over the holy Eucharistic celebrations, in the presence of Fr George D’Souza, rector, Fr Roy Lobo, assistant parish priest, and other priests.
The newly-built statue of St Lawrence at Miracle pond was blessed by Bishop Dr Gerald, donated by Vincent Mathias and family, Mumbai.
After the Eucharistic mass, the holy sacrament was taken in a procession from Basilica to silver jubilee memorial stage of Yuvaka Mandala at Doopadakatte.
Fr George D’Souza, rector of St Lawrence Basilica, thanked all the parishners for their wholehearted service and also requested them to extend their helping hand throughout the festivities.
In his homily, Fr Steevan Lobo, Koteshwar said, "People who help the needy are today's saints. Today’s reading tells us to be salt of the earth, which means we must be helpful to others and be witness to Christ. We need to be the candle that lights up the world, and be good to others. It is in our behaviour. Both salt and candle dissolve themselves to be useful to others. Same with Jesus Christ. He too scarified his life for us. We too must be like Christ and be useful to others and by this our society grows.
"Humans today are leading a selfish life thinking only of self, but Christ says we need to extend our helping hand to others and be examples of Christ. God does not distinguished between us. We need to take the example of blessed Mother Teresa, her selfless work has brightened the lives of many. God will ask us about our good deeds and not what luxuries we have in our life. Thus, let us set an example to others with our good behaviour and deeds." he said.
The first day's festive Mass was specially offered for children. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangaluru was the main celebrant of the festive Mass. Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery and other priests from Udupi diocese were the concelebrants.
In his homily, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza said, "It is in the nature of us Christians to help others. Jesus Christ taught us this and we follow in his footsteps. Our institutions, old age homes etc serve the society and people recognise our community, and through this we have become witness to Christ. God does not ask us what we don’t have, He asks us to be generous. We give to God when we help the poor.
"Jesus healed the sick, forgave the sinners and this he did for God the Father and not to get any recognition or popularity. We need to love the poor and the needy and be open-hearted towards them. Today we adore St Lawrence. He surrendered his life for God. When the emperor asked him to get the wealth of the church, he gave all the wealth to the poor and needy and presented them in front of the emperor. For this he was killed and became a true martyr. We as Christians have so many opportunities to be generous to others . Let us be kind to others and be a true example of Christ." he said.
Various stalls of religious articles have been set up in the Minor Basilica premises. Police personnel have been deployed, and a health centre, an enquiry desk, media centre, and Catholic Sabha Karkala deanery voluntary stall and various stalls have been put outside the premises. For the better visibility of the Mass, a big LED screen has been installed where more than 2,500 people can sit and witness the celebrations.
The special project to make the entire campus dust-free is about to get under way and the entire project will be completed before 2021 annual feast.
Mass timings
Dr Anthony Swamy Thomasappa, bishop, diocese of Chikkmagaluru, will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Monday January 27 at 6.00 pm. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Geevarghese Makarios Kalayil, bishop, diocese of Puttur (Syro-Malankara), will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday January 28 at 10.30 am. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shivamogga, will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday January 28 at 6.00 pm. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday January 29 at 10.30 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, diocese of Beltangady (Syro - Malabar) will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday January 29 at 6.00 pm. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, diocese of Mangaluru, will preside over holy Eucharistic celebration on Thursday January 30 at 10.30 pm. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.