Our Lady of Lourdes Church celebrated on February 12th at Tirthahalli
Shivamogga, February 13, 2024: The Annual Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Church was celebrated on February 12th at Tirthahalli. Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, was the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist.
In his homily, Bishop Francis stressed the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Hope never disappoints us”. We are pilgrims of hope. He elaborated on what the problem the world is facing these days is: refugees, suicides, tragedies, and issues of elderly people. All this, humanly speaking, is disturbing us. But if we have hope in the Lord Jesus, he never fails us. He also said that as Our Lady of Lourdes Church celebrates the post-centenary silver jubilee year, he thanked God and the faithful for witnessing Lord Jesus Christ through lives. 125 years is a great event for the parishioners as well as for the Diocese.
After Mass, Parish Priest Fr. Veeresh Victor Moras thanked the bishop, priests, religious, parishioners, and guests. Bishop Francis Serrao, S.J., unveiled the logo for the parish’s post-centennial silver jubilee. He also unveiled a photograph of the renovated church’s structure.
Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Milton read the donors’ names. Bishop Francis acknowledged their generosity by giving them blessed candles. Then, on behalf of the parishioners, Mr. Ovin D’Souza, secretary of the PPC, thanked everyone.
On the 9th, Monsignor Very Reverend Father Stany D’Souza, Vicar General of the Diocese of Shimoga, began the feast with flag hoisting. On the 11th and 12th, Father Nelson Pinto OCD preached at the novena. On the 12th, there was a chariot procession of Our Lady of Lourdes in the main streets of Tirthahalli town.
A large number of priests, religious, and faithful participated in the feast.
