Annual feast of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, Chitradurga District, Diocese of Shimoga
Chitradurga, Hiriyur, August 18, 2023: Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, belonging to Chitradurga district in the Diocese of Shimoga, celebrated its annual feast on Friday, August 18, 2023.
Feast preparations began with a three-day renewal retreat from August 11th to 13th, 2023, preached by Rev. Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Kable.
The Triduum began on August 15th. The programme began at 6 p.m. The parish priest, Fr Franklin DSouza, blessed the chariot. Then there was a rosary, a procession with the Marian flag, and a novena. At 6:30 p.m., Rev. Fr Richard Pais, Director of Karnataka Regional Social Service (KROSS), Bengaluru, blessed the flag of Our Lady and hoisted the flag.
At 7 p.m., Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr Maxim Dias (Diocese of Bellary), Karnataka Regional Director for Proclamation and Evangelization, as well as SCC. Rev. Fr Richard Pais (Diocese of Shimoga), Director of the KROSS, preached the homily on the theme: “Ruth, role model for the family”. He said that family should be “rooted in Christ” (Colossians 2:6). He gave examples of biblical families, how they obeyed God. He spoke on the example of Ruth and Navomi. He gave practical suggestions on how we need to strengthen family values in today’s context.
August 16th, the second day’s Novena, began at 6:30 p.m. with a rosary procession. Then Parish parish priest, Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza led the Novena.
At 7 p.m., Rev. Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Newtown, Bhadravati, celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached on the theme: “Esther is the inspiration to face the difficulties and turbulent situations in life”.
He called on the faithful not to give up in difficult situations. We should have faith & confidence like Queen Easter. He explained, with the help of God, how she saved her people from the hands of the wicked Haaman. When God saved Mordakai and his clan, he also said that we have a queen, that is, Our Lady of Assumption, who courageously faced all the troubles with the faith.
He also said that for us, power comes from the Word of God. Through the power of the Word of God, we can win over any situation through faith and prayer.
End of the Mass Parish Priest Fr Franklin D’Souza felicitated Rev. Fr Lancy Barthalomeo DSouza, as he is in the year of his Priestly Ordination Silver Jubilee.
Parish Council members honoured him with a shawl, garland, Mysore Peta, and a gift.
August 17th, the third day of the Novena, began at 6:30 p.m. with St. Mary’s Road Rosary procession. The Mary Road Chariot was taken to thank Our Lady of Assumption by the Assumption ICYM youth, as it was a tradition of the parish. Then the parish priest, Rev. Fr Franklin DSouza, led the Novena.
At 8 p.m., Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli, celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached on the theme: “Susana is the inspiration to lead a life of holiness”.
He spoke on the importance of holiness and the challenges that we face when we lead a life of holiness. He gave the example of St. Agnes as our role model. He,also connected the message with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
End of the Mass Parish Priest Fr Franklin D’Souza felicitated Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, as he is in the year of his Priestly Ordination Silver Jubilee.
Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Nelson DSouza, together with the Parish Council members, honoured him with a shawl, garland, Mysore Peta, and a gift.
On August 18th, at 9:30 a.m., parishioners received the Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao Sj. Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga at Hospital Circle and welcomed him with a small procession together with the band.
At 10 a.m., Bishop Francis Serrao Sj. concelebrated the festal Holy Eucharist with 13 priests. Among them, Rev. Fr K. A. George, Dean of Little Flower Deanery, and Rev. Fr Richard Anil DSouza, Dean of Holy Family Deanery, were present. A large number of faithful and religious people witnessed the Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Bishop spoke on “All generations will call me blessed,” Luke 1:48. He invited the faithful to take her as their role model. Rev. Fr Nelson D’Souza and Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque led the choir.
At the end, Parish Priest Fr Franklin D’Souza thanked everyone. honoured the donors with candles, and for every SCC unit, blessed candles were distributed.
At 6 p.m., there was a chariot procession as the culmination of the church feast. The parish priest, Rev. Fr FranklinD’Souza blessed the chariot. The procession began at 7 p.m.Hundreds of faithful and other people witnessed the mega event of the procession. It took almost two and a half hours.
After the procession, Parish Priest Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza led the Thanksgiving adoration and benediction.
