Media Release
Udupi, Jun 18: The ICYM and YCS youth of Moodubelle unit as part of the year of the youth activity visited the Infant Jesus Shrine Bikarnakatte on June 16.
Fifty-five youth along with Fr Jithesh Castelino and ICYM animators Valerian Noronha, Anita Alva and YCS animator Dr Judith Lobo participated in the programme. The youth spent an hour time at the Infant Jesus shrine praying and Fr Jithesh briefed about the significance of the shrine. From there they proceeded to Holy Cross Church Cordel. The youths attended the Holy Eucharistic celebration concelebrated by Fr Lawrence Cutinha, assistant parish priest, Holy Cross Church Cordel and Fr Jithesh Castelino, assistant parish priest, St Lawrence Church Moodubelle.
Later, the evening was spent with the ICYM youths of the Cordel parish. Fr Victor Machado, parish priest of Holy Cross Church Cordel, welcomed the youth and briefed about the history of Cordel parish which is one of the largest parish in Mangaluru diocese. He also narrated about Fr Alexander Dubois, French Friar, who is called as ‘Frad Saib’ of Franco Cordel, locally known as Kulshekar and by others as ‘Kullerda Ajjer. He also explained the belief of the people in the miraculous powers of the soil to heal the diseases where the Fr Alexander Dubois is buried.
The youth were overwhelmed by the warm welcome given by Fr Lawrence Cutinha who was in Moodubelle parish and now the present assistant parish priest of Cordel parish. There was brief introduction by the youth about the activities. Fr. Ashwin Cardoza, ICYM director of Mangaluru diocese and the Resident priest at Cordel also welcomed and congratulated the youth for coming together and taking up this activity. The youths were thrilled to visit the place where the Holy Cross is placed with stations of the cross depicted and also had the glimpse of the stations of all mysteries of the rosary and the Ten commandments.
It was indeed a great experience to visit to Holy places and spend the afternoon in two holy places. Moreover, the parish priest, assistant parish priest and ICYM youths of Holy Cross Church Cordel gave a very cordial welcome and hospitality with sumptuous refreshments to the youths of Moodubelle unit.