Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 21: Our Lady of Remedies Church, Kirem organized the dual celebrations of the 'Confraternity Sunday" and the inauguration of the renovated church on Sunday, November 19.
Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Gulbarga diocese, inaugurated the renovated portico of the church by cutting the ribbon. This was followed by the blessing of the main door and portico by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese.
After the blessing, Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by bishop Aloysius.
Bishop Robert preached the homily on the real meaning of 'The Temple or House of God'.
The Eucharistic procession was held as a part of the 'Confraternity Sunday'. The parishioners participated in both the celebrations with devotion and faith and thanked God for the successful completion of the renovation of the church. The liturgical celebration concluded with benediction and final blessing.
A brief felicitation programme was organized to honour the donors and the people who shouldered different responsibilities in the task of renovation of the church.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the function. Dr Robert Miranda was the chief guest. J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru South constituency, Abhayachandra Jain, MLA, Moodbidri, Fr Vincent F Monteiro, vicar forane, Kinnigoli deanery and Divakar Chowta, president , grama panchayat, Aikala were the guests of honour.
The two stalwarts of the renovation work, Lawrence Cutinho, engineer and Richard Menezes, contractor, were felicitated and honoured.
On this auspicious occasion, the three Guthu Families of Talipady Guthu, Aikala Bhava and Angadi Guthu, who were responsible for protecting the church from its demolition at the hands of Tipu Sultan were honoured and felicitated for their goodwill and sacrifice.
To mark, this special event, a special issue of 'Kiryantlen Keern' the parish bulletin, was released by the chief guest Bishop Robert Miranda.
In his presidential address, bishop Aloysius lauded the parish priest and parishioners for renovating the church, without compromising on the old gothic architectural beauty of existing church. Fr Victor D’Mello, parish priest, and Burton Sequeira, vice-president, welcomed the gathering.