By Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Dec 2: The annual feast of St Francis Xavier Parish, Udyavar, near here, was celebrated on Tuesday December 1 and Wednesday December 2.
Fr Naveen Pinto, assistant parish priest of Moodubelle parish, celebrated the festal Eucharistic Mass on Tuesday night.
Fr Pinto, in his homily, said that abundant blessings and everlasting life in His Kingdom will be assured only through the word of God.
Udyavar parish priest Fr Charles Noronha, Kallianpur parish priest and Kallianpur deanery vicar Fr Marcel Saldhana, many priests from the deanery and neighbouring parishes, also joined in the Eucharistic celebrations along with Fr Charles Noronha, Fr William Martis, and Fr Maxi D’Souza.
The Holy Mass concluded with adoration to the Holy Sacrament. A large number of parishioners attended the Holy Mass.
An attractive display of fireworks was also held after the Holy Mass on the parish grounds.
Fr Noronha presented the blessed candles to Jerome and Cecelia Mendonca family, the main sponsors of festal Eucharistic celebrations on Wednesday.
Fr Vincent Pereira from Canada, presided over the grand festal Eucharistic celebrations on Wednesday morning, along with Fr Mathew P Vas, vicar of Udupi deanery, and many priests from the deanery and neighbouring parishes.
Madantyar assistant parish priest Fr Rohith D’Costa, in his homily, urged the faithful to derive inspiration from the spiritual life of St Francis Xavier who had chosen to live life in Christ, despite being bestowed with earthly possessions. He was inspired to spiritual life through St Ignatius of Loyola.
Udyavar parish priest Fr Noronha thanked Jerome and Cecilia Mendonca family, the main sponsors of festal Eucharistic celebrations, parish council vice-president Godfrey D’Souza, and secretary Lawrence D’Sa, for their generous contributions to the annual feast.
Fr Noronha along with Fr Martis and Fr D’Souza conveyed best wishes of the feast to all parishioners after the Eucharistic celebrations.