The Annual Feast of St Lawrence Church Bondel celebrated with grandeur and devotion
Mangalore-Bondel: The Annual Feast of St Lawrence Church Bondel was celebrated with grandeur and devotion on Thursday, August 10, 2023. A number of pilgrims and devotees of St. Lawrence thronged the shrine and occupied every available space in order to be a part of the grand celebration.
The Most Rev. Dr Henry Dsouza, Bishop of Bellary Diocese, celebrated the morning festal mass at 10.30 am. Bishop Henry Dsouza began the celebration saying, “Family Life is God’s plan, let us take it as a gift of grace”.
The solemnity of the Holy Mass was enhanced by the homily of Bishop Henry Dsouza. “God Loves a Cheerful Giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) An act done “cheerfully” is done with a happy heart. This is because God not only looks at the gift; He also looks at the heart. Our giving must come from the heart if it is to please God. The right condition of the heart is very important because before God accepts the gift, He first accepts the giver. God will only accept the one whose heart is right before Him. When the heart is not right with God, the sacrifice cannot please the Lord because it is impossible to know what to sacrifice without a right relationship with God. He cited Jesus as the Foundation of the family. Prioritize God in the choices that you make each day so that God is honored and worshipped in your family. God wants us to receive His love and love Him in return. We demonstrate our love through obedience. Jesus commanded us to love one another.
Bishop, highlighting the readings of the day, Pope Francis has encouraged married couples to always remember three key words in their relationship: “Please, thanks, and sorry.” The simple practice of saying “May I?,” “Thank you,” and “Pardon me” is a key to building a happy family life. The family is our nest of happiness. The family is our cradle of warmth. So live a happy family.
7 Essentials for the Christian Life: Use your Mind for dreams, your Eyes for Mercy, Your Face for smiles, Your Mouth for Truth, Your Heart for Love, Your Hands & Legs for Service, and Your Life for a good relationship with family. Respect your elders & love your kids.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal, St Lawrence Medium English School, Rev. Fr Lancy DSouza, Asst. Priest, V. Rev. Fr James D’Souza, Vicar Forane-City Varado, Rev. Fr Antony Serrao, Rev. Fr Joseph Martis, and other various priests celebrated the mass.
Bishop Henry Dsouza Inaugurated the New church model, which will be completed next year. The melodious choir was from Bondel, under the leadership of Dr Suraj.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest of St Lawrence Shrine, thanked the Bishop and priests for celebrating and participating in the mass. He thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the 9 days of novena and the feast. The Parish Priest thanked Rev. Fr Gregory Pinto SVD for spirituality guiding the faithful, the Liturgy Committee, Shrine Committee, Parish Pastoral Council Members, Divine Word TV & Team, Media Committee, Vehicle Parking Team, Volunteers, Ladies Association Convener and Members, Light Sound Decoration in Charge, and those who helped selflessly. He wished all those who gathered a happy feast. During the feast, people of all religions visited the shrine and expressed religious unity.
The closing ceremony of the Feast of St Lawrence’s Church, Bondel, was celebrated with grandeur and devotion on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 6 p.m. Rev. Dr Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, was the main celebrant.
Rev. Dr Roshan D’Souza, who presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration, said “Love is the foundation of a family.” To live a fruitful family life, you need to follow 10 keys. 1. Love 2. Prayer 3. Sorry and Thank You 4. Appreciate each other 4. Respect each other 5. Forgive each other 6. Communication & sharing with your family members 7. Patience 8. Humility 9. Sacrifice 10. Giving up Make your family examples and inspiring models of holiness and sanctity. Then it will be a source and way for your children to achieve holiness in life, and this itself will be the greatest blessing you can give them.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Rev. Fr Lancy D’Souza, Rev. Fr J.B. Saldanha, Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, and various priests from the city & other parishes concelebrated the mass. The choir group of children from Bondel Parish captured the minds and hearts of the Parishioners.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest of St Lawrence Shrine, thanked Rev. Dr Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, and all the priests for celebrating and participating in the mass.
Rev. Dr Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese; Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Rev. Fr Lancy D’Souza, Rev. Fr. J.B. Saldanha, Rev. Fr J.B Crasta, various priests from the city & other parishes, Ronald ‘Roy’ Castelino, PRO Of Mangalore Diocese, Mr John D’Silva, Vice President, Mr Santhosh Misquith, Secretary PPC, Mr Prakash Pinto Convener Shrine Committee, and Meena Barboza, Convener Media Committee, were present during the closing ceremony.
Photography: Stany Bantwal
Report: Meena Serrao Barboza
