Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 9: The diamond jubilee celebrations of St John the Baptist Church, Permude, along with the blessing and inauguration of the renovated church, will be held on October 15 at 3 pm, parish priest Fr Ronald Pinto has announced.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in the city, he said the church building was constructed around 65 years ago with the generous support of Juliana Nazareth’s family. The Permude parish was established on October 15, 1965, and the old church, which had deteriorated over the years, has now been renovated.

The inauguration of the renovated church will be performed by the bishop emeritus of the diocese of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza. The blessing ceremony and solemn Eucharistic Mass will be presided over by the bishop of Mangalore, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha. The bishop of Mysuru, Dr Francis Serrao, will deliver the homily.

Following the inauguration, the diamond jubilee public meeting will be presided over by Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha. Bishop Emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Dr Francis Serrao, Msgr Maxim L Noronha, Fr Ravi Rudolph D’Souza, Venugopal Pejathaya and Mohammed Kunhi, among other dignitaries, will participate in the programme.

MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, minister U T Khader, MLA Umanath Kotian and MLC Ivan D’Souza will attend as chief guests, along with other dignitaries.

A hore kanike procession carrying offerings will be held from Permude market to the church on October 11 at 4 pm. Following the jubilee meeting on October 15, Devadas Kapikad’s troupe will stage the Tulu comedy play ‘Sunnada Bottu’. A community feast will also be organised for the public as part of the celebrations.

Church pastoral council vice-president Roshan Rodrigues, secretary Anita D’Souza, major donor Ronald Fernandes and media committee convenor Roshan Tauro were present at the press conference.