Solemnity and grandeur marked the celebrations of the 450 years Jubilee of Holy Rosary Church Kundapur on 7th October, 2021.
The jubilee thanksgiving Eucharist was celebrated by the Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, V. Rev. Fr Stany B Lobo, V. Rev. Fr Stany Tauro as well as other priests from Udupi, Mangalore and other dioceses.
In his homily, Bishop Francis Serrao highlighted the importance of the Rosary in our daily life and asked to follow the values of Mother Mary.
Following the Jubilee mass, a stage programme commenced under the president ship of the Bishop. Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese; Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga Diocese; Mrs. Veena Bhaskar Mendon, president Kundapur Municipality; Sr Sangeetha, Superior of St Joseph’s Convent; Rev. Fr Vijay J D’Souza, Asst. Parish Priest of Kundapur; Mr L J Fernandes, vice president of Parish Pastoral Council; Mrs Asha Carvalho, secretary of Parish Pastoral Council; Mrs Prema D’Cunha, Coordinator and 20 commissions were present on the dias.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Francis Serrao expressed happiness to be part of the Jubilee celebrations and appreciated the progress that the parish has made during the last 450 years.
Former and present Parish Priests, Asst. Parish Priests, College principals, Church Vocations, former Vice presidents and Secretaries, 20 commissions Conveners, past and present Gurkars and Donors were honoured for their selfless service in their respective wards by offering them a shawl, garland and memento.
A Medical Fund, Souvenir and Hymns CD were released on the occasion to mark the 450 years Jubilee Celebrations.
In his presidential remark, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the meaning and importance of the jubilee. He said that the Jubilee includes five important elements, i.e. Remembrance, Return to God, Reconciliation with God and fellow beings, living according to the will of God and Jubilation or celebration.
He further said that the jubilee year is the gift of God. While celebrating the 450 Years Jubilee of the parish, the parishioners should remember the sacrifices that their ancestors made in order to build not only the church but the parish community and thank God for His blessings in bringing prosperity to the community. The Bishop further said that Christ had come to this world with a mission and He wants us to continue His mission through our good and exemplary lives.
V. Rev. Fr Stany Tauro welcomed the gathering and Mrs Feliciana D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Mr Wilson Olivera and Mrs Reshma Fernandes compered the programme.