Mangalore, jan 20: on January 19 sunday the centenary celebrations of the St Sebastian Church Bendore drew to a close at a spectacular function organised at the Church Ground.
The celebrations began with a Eucharistic Mass led by Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras, who was also the chief guest for the formal stage programme. Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the ceremony.
Rev.Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, who presided over the function and says that, Faith was on the decline due to various factors and stressed the need for Christians to believe in God and live with Faith. He also exhorted the youth to take part various activities in the church and called upon all parishioners to work for the development of the Church.
The chief guest of progrmme is Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily who was present as a chief guest launched the Centenary Memorial Health Fund for the poor.
Dr Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare UT Khader, JR Lobo, MLA, B Ramanatha Rai, District in-charge Minister were also present as chief guests. Minister for youth affairs and sports Abhaychandra Jain released the centenary souvenir. Christachi Sakshi’ (Witness to Christ), a CD of Konkani devotional songs by Fr Michael Santhumayor was released on the occasion.
Finally on the programme Parish priests and assistant parish priests who had served the Church in the past as well as winners of various competitions were felicitated.
Fr Anthony Serrao, Parish Priest of Bendore Church welcomed the gathering. Ronald Walder proposed the vote of thanks.
The over all function was concluded with a dinner that was cooked by around 400 parishioners.
