Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (VA)
Udupi, Nov 4: The parish day of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Udyavar here was celebrated, recently.
The day’s celebrations commenced with a solemn high mass at 8 am with Fr Charles Norohna, the parish priest as the main celebrant, assisted by Fr William Martis and deacon Anil D’Almeida.
A large number of parishioners numbering about 1000 participated in the holy mass, where Fr Martis preached the homily. In his homily, gospel of St John he said, “We are no longer strangers and aliens. We are fellow citizens of Saints and members of household of god. As community members god wants us to strive to develop our parish in to what he wants it to be”
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“As community members we should readily come forward to share our talents, time, energies even of our possessions to care for one another’s needs and form in common prayers and worship which were the characteristic mark of the first Christian communities”, he added.
He further said that the ideal parish family is that in which its members not only receive rebirth to become children of god and all the spiritual nourishment needed for its faith journey, but also they work together to make their parish a family or community of love a communion of hearts and the center for a community apostolate.
The mass was followed by a cultural programme which was inaugurated by the parish priest Fr Charles Norohna along with Fr William Martis, decon Anil D’Almeida, Godfrey D’Souza, Lawrence D’Sa, superiors of convent Sr Irene Thauro and Sr Tancy. The vice-president of the parish council Godfrey D’Souza spoke on the occasion, congratulating all the parishioners for the active support on this day and all the days of the year.
This was followed by a prize-distribution for the games conducted by ICYM and variety entertainment programme. All the wards of parish presented a variety entertainment programme of about 15 to 20 minutes each. It included projection of seven fruits of Holy Spirit, the couples of various religions dancing around Bharath Matha and different programmes, skits and dances of Konkani culture.
It was a splendid show of national integration, religious and community collaboration with Konkani as the mother tongue. In his festal message, Fr William Martis said today the gospel words have come true, which is displayed in the cultural show. Many have shared their time, talent, energies and even the possessions. Udyavarites, everyone has become the tower of grace in their parish. At the end there was a sumptuous lunch shared by all. Secretary of parish council Lawrence D’Sa thanked each and every one for making the programme successful.