Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (KR)
Udupi, Nov 23: A long-awaited dream of the parishioners of Perampalli became a reality on Thursday November 23 as they witnessed the historic inauguration of the new church building dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima.
Jerry Vincent and Molly Dias of Mandavi Developers inaugurated the belfry tower, while Dr Peter Machado, bishop, diocese of Belagavi blessed it. Martina J and Philomena Aranaha, Dubai inaugurated it by tolling the bell. They also inaugurated the new church building by cutting the ribbon. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo blessed the new church building and presided over the Eucharistic Mass.
Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shivamogga, blessed the Bible and delivered the homily. In his homily he said, "We may require this type of church to pray and worship him. But we need to have faith in him. God sees our faith, not the structure of the church. This structure may be a place where all can come together for prayer. This altar and church give us special blessings, and become our channel to communicate with God. As Basavanna said, our body should be a living temple of God in which there is life. For such people, there is no death indeed.
"If our life is a rosary, do we require another rosary in our hand? We have to understand that we are no1t complete beings and we need to have a rosary in the hand to pray. At the same time, we also require a church to worship Him and pray. Each one of us is a church of the Holy Spirit and each one of us is an asset of God," he said.
"The parishioners of Perampalli church sacrificed for eight long years to raise this building with the support of the parish priest. Let each one of us be a small church and build the greater church in the days to come," Fr Serrao added.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the Eucharistic Mass while Dr Peter Machado, bishop, diocese of Belagavi, Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, dioceses of Shivamogga, Fr Romeo Lewis, parish priest, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Perampalli, Fr Reginald Pinto, resident priest and priests from the diocese and from other diocese were the concelebrants.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony, guests were accorded a warm welcome at the bus stand and brought in a grand procession to the new church premises.
Fr Stephen D’Souza, diocesan director of the commission for Bible narrated the liturgical ceremony. Fr Romeo Lewis, parish priest, Our Lady of Fatima Church, in his thanksgiving note thanked bishop of Udupi for all his support and guidance. He especially thanked Dr Peter Machado, bishop of Belagavi, Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shivamogga, dean of five deaneries of diocese of Udupi, priests, nuns, parishioners and devotees from the other part of the diocese for taking active part in the Eucharistic celebrations.
Felicitation
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi presided over the felicitation programme while Dr Francis Serrao, Dr Peter Machado, Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Pramod Madhwaraj, minister for fisheries, sports and youth affairs, Karnataka and Udupi district in-charge minister, K Raghupathi Bhat, former MLA Udupi, Fr Cyprian Pinto, Mangaluru, Sr Rita Vaz, Martina and Philomena Aranha, Dubai, Dr Jerry Vincent and Molly Dias of Mandavi Developers, Pascal Veronica Mathias, Dubai, Ronald Regina Sequeira, Ronald Sunitha Machado, Manohar S Shetty of Radha Group of Concerns, Udupi, Fr Romeo Lewis, parish priest, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Denis Furatado, vice president, pastoral council , Rosy Pinto, sectary, pastoral council, Jossy Pinto, convener of the inauguration committee were present on the dais.
Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo, Dr Peter Machado, Dr Francis Serrao and Fr Romeo Lewis together unveiled the statue of the Mother Mary and inaugurated the formal stage function.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo cut the cake and made the ceremony more joyful. Simon and group sang a special song on this special occasion.
Pramod Madhwaraj in his address said, "I know the people of Perampalli since long. Financially, Catholics from this region are not sound, but the people of this place achieved a miracle by constructing the second most beautiful church after St Philomena Mysuru which I have visited earlier. Without the blessings of God, this wouldn’t be possible. God has given this beautiful church to the parishioners.
"After the dioceses of Udupi came into existence, nearly 12 new churches have been renovated or newly built and this has happened under the leadership of bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo. Religious harmony is at its best as the entire community takes part in all the events. This also sends a very strong message to entire nation. Fr Romeo has worked day in and day out to build this church despite financial constrains."
"The government has already sanctioned and released its part and will release more in next two instalments. May this place be like Attur in the coming days," he added.
Dr Francis Serrao in his address said, "With the blessings of God, this beautiful church has been raised today. For this to happen, Fr Romeo Lewis has rendered his tireless service."
Congratulating the parish priest on the occasion, he further said, "This year is very special to all the devotees of Fatima mai as we celebrating the centenary year of her apparition to those three small kids in Portugal."
After felicitating the donors, Dr Peter Machado said, "I too had constructed a small church and called the then bishop Dr Gerald Lobo of Shivamogga diocese to inaugurate. Our diocese is also dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. A 100 year back, Lady Fatima blessed three small children with her vision. Today also she calls us to be the true lovers of God."
Jerry Vincent and Molly Dias were felicitated by the bishop of Udupi and other dignitaries on the stage.
After the felicitation, Dr Jerry Vincent Dias said, "We feel like it’s a feast of this parish. Such occasions do not repeat. We are lucky to have witnessed this. Fr Romeo Lewis was sent to this place by God with a plan. In few months time, when Fr Romeo is transferred, he would not take anything from this place but surely carry the love and affection of people."
The bishop of Udupi released the parish pastoral mission 2018 of Fatima Church.
K Raghupati Bhat in his address said, "Perampalli is small village. It is a proud movement for me to witness a church inaugural in my native place. Today will be written down in the pages of history. Fr Romeo was instrumental in building this new church. Even non-Catholics have joined their hands in the constructions of this church. This church is not less in attracting the tourism destination like Attur Church. I will definitely work on this part and request the concerned authorities to list this church in the list of tourist destinations of Udupi district."
Bishop of Udupi felicitated Manohar S Shetty, Ragupathi Bhat, on behalf of Fr James, Sr Rita Vaz, Labors, contractors, engineers, Gurkars, parish pastoral council members and donors on the occasion.
In a unique felicitation programme, Puastine Lewis, Thomas and Fr Romeo Lewis were felicitated together by the bishop of Udupi, parish council members and the dignitaries on the dais.
In the presidential address, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo thanked parishioners for their selfishness service. He said, "Today if this miracle happened then it’s because of Fr Romeo Lewis. He has completely given his life for this church. What he dreamt years back, it has now become a reality with the blessings of God and Fatima Mai."
Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shivamogga and Dr Peter Machado, bishop of Belagavi were felicitated.
Martina J and Philomena Aranha released the souvenir. The felicitation programme began with welcome dance. Jesvita Dias and the group performed the dance.
Ace compere Leslie Rego anchored the programme. Fr Romeo Lewis welcomed the gathering and briefed about the new church. Rosy Pinto, secretary pastoral council proposed the vote of thanks.