Udupi: Splendid event marks 150 years of Barkur Church

Report: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Pics: Stephen Lewis, Mayur Studio, Barkur

Udupi, Dec 17: The post-centenary golden jubilee celebration of St Peter Church, Barkur was held on Monday December 16 with much joy and fervour.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese led the Holy Eucharistic Mass. Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Bellary, Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese, Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest of St Peter Church, Barkur, Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, Udupi diocese, Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of Milagres Cathedral, and dean of Kallianpur deanery and other priests from the deanery and other dioceses were the co-celebrants.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo and Dr Henry D’Souza were welcomed by the parish priest and the parish pastoral council.

Dr Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Bellary in his homily said that one can be grateful, ungrateful or neither. "But being thankful gives meaning to the past, peace to the present and creates new dreams and vision for the future," he added.

"Some 150 years ago we had no vehicles. We had to travel by crossing three rivers, but today we have all facilities. Hence we have to be thankful to god for all the development that has taken place. We have to believe in god and believe in community," the bishop said.

On the occasion the bishop stressed on the message of Pope Francis on how the Catholic Church should be in the present and in future. "The Pope has given a call to be united; the Church shouldn’t be an exclusive club and no one should be away from its reach," he said.

"Be aware of the graveyard and be aware of the spiritual world - these are the two things which one should keep in mind," he added.

The bishop further said, "While we celebrate this jubilee our mind should dream, eyes should be forgive, our face should always smile, mouth should always say the truth, heart should always love and our hands and legs should always be first in rendering service."

Bishop Dr Gerald blessed the foundation stone of the new priests' house on the occasion.

After the mass, a felicitation ceremony was held.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the formal function, while Dr Henry D’Souza, Dr Baptist Menezes, Fr Stany B Lobo, Sr Marina, Celine D’Souza, Melbourne, Australia, sponsor of the three-day celebration, Fr Valerian Mendonca, Eugene Quadros, and Irene Pais were present.

The function began with a welcome dance by the children of the church.

Bishop Dr Henry D’Souza released the post-centenary golden jubilee souvenir 'Khadap'.

Bishop in his address expressed his joy at being with Barkurians for a very short period of time as assistance parish priest. "I have always been grateful to the people here for treating me with such kindness," he said.

"We have to look after our family. Family is a small church in itself. Elders should look after their family and see where they are leading the present generation. Parents have to be with their children and support them morally. Parents should be role models to all the youths," he said.

The Bishop gave a call to all the Catholics to activily take part in politics. Our youths should take up administrate work rather go behind dollars or dirhams. More people have to start their own business," he urged.

Fr Valerian read out the pastoral message sent by Pope Francis through Apostolic Nuncio.

Dr Gerald honoured former parish priests, assistant priests, vice-president, secretary, and donors by presenting shawls, garlands and mementoes.

Choir group led by Eric Soans sang the Post Centenary Golden Jubilee song.

Fr Stany B Lobo who is a Barkurian said, "We are inspired by two things during our childhood - the church and the Merinol School. These two enabled us to build our careers in social as well as in spiritual life. Barkurians are spread across the globe and each Barkurian has to try and make Barkur's name more famous."

Msgr Baptist Menezes said, "150 years of existence is purely God's gift and His blessing. Barkurians have given more than 28 priests and 48 nuns to the Catholic Church. This shows how spiritually strong Barkurians are."

Dr Gerald Lobo in his presidential address said, "Barkurians are there in all fields, be it political, education, science, culture, etc, but the only field missing is administrative service. Barkurians have potential in this as well and I am sure in the coming days they will make a name in this field also."

Roshan D’Souza and Jasmine Andrade compered the programme. Fr Valerian Mendonca welcomed the gathering, Eugene Quadros gave a brief history of the church; and Irene Pais delivered the vote of thanks.