Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 16: Churches play a vital role in bringing people together for collective worship, strengthening their faith and fostering solidarity, said Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of the Mysuru Diocese, as the renovated Church of St John the Baptist at Permude, near Bajpe, was inaugurated and blessed during its diamond jubilee celebrations on Thursday.
“Although god is present everywhere, we, as social beings, need churches to come together and praise him collectively. Through collective prayer, we also give strength to one another,” he said while presiding over the celebrations.
Commending the parish community for its unity and commitment, he said the people's broad-mindedness, hard work and co-operation had helped realise their dream within a short period.
Bajpe MLA Umanath Kotian said places of worship unite people and provide opportunities for collective prayer. Sharing joys, sorrows, hardships and happiness during such gatherings helps people find strength, while faith in God helps them overcome their problems.
“Today, people in the Permude area live in harmony like children of the same mother,” he said.
The renovated church building was inaugurated by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangaluru, while Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangaluru, celebrated the Holy Mass.
The programme was attended by Mangaluru Diocese Vicar General Fr Maxim L Noronha; Pejawar Zone Vicar General Fr Ravi Rudolph D'Sa; diocesan chancellor Victor George D'Souza; finance officer Edwin Vincent Correa; Richard Lasrado; Permude's Pavitrapani Venugopal Pejathaya; Nithin Hegde, administrative officer of the Ekkaru Kodamanithaya Daivasthana; Maulana Basheer Madani of Kuloor; parish pastoral council secretary Anita D'Souza; all-commissions coordinator Henry D'Cunha; Roshan Tauro; and prominent members of the community, including Ronald Priscilla Fernandes, Mark Stella D'Souza, engineer Lawrence Coutinho and contractor Richard Rodrigues.
Donors who contributed to the church renovation were honoured during the programme in recognition of their support.
The celebrations continued with a cultural programme, with Devadas Kapikad's troupe presenting the comedy play Sunnada Bottu, which entertained the gathering.
Fr Ronald Pinto welcomed the gathering, while pastoral council vice-president Roshan Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks.