Udupi: A historic moment for the people Pilar, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo laid the foundation stone for Infant Jesus Church, Pilar, Shirva along with Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development and Minister in-charge District, clergy and parishioners here on April 14.
In a programme after the Eucharistic celebrations held at Infant Jesus Chapel, Pilar, Bishop Gerald blessed the foundation stone of the new church and offered prayers.
Vinay Kumar Sorake speaking on the occasion said that the offerings and service made to God are always remembered, the donors who have donated land and the parishioners who are relentlessly working for the church’s development are to be appreciated. The new church should serve the society through offering prayers to God and service to society. The basic facilities are the needs of this part, the Katpadi to Shirva road will be developed with Rs 8.5 crore and later developed till Belman. The work is on for the Athradi to Bajpe airport road costing rupees 15 crores. Roads will also be developed in the Pilar region. Catholic educational institutions have imparted quality education to the people. CM Siddaramaiah has allocated rupees 125 crores for the development of the Christian community. Necessary recommendations will be made to the government to release grants for the construction of the new church, he added. Sorake also said that he will release funds for a borewell for the new church.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address said that the inauguration of the new Church will be held in January 2018 during the feast of Infant Jesus. The construction of the new church should be supported with prayers. He gave a call to the parishioners to pray for the new church during the daily rosary. He appreciated the efforts and service of the Salesian community at Pilar.
Fr Stany Tauro Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church Shirva delivered the keynote address. Valerian Machado, Convener of Pilar Chapel Committee welcomed the gathering, Fr Simao Fernandes, Priest-in-charge of Infant Jesus Chapel, Pilar delivered the vote of thanks. Emilda Mathias and Ida D’Souza compered the programme.
Yellur ZP member Shilpa Gangadhar Suvarna, Mudarangadi TP member Michael Ramesh D’Souza, Mudarangadi Gram Panchayat president David D’Souza, Udupi Diocese Vicar General Msgr Baptist Menezes, Udupi Diocese Chancellor Fr Valerian Mendonca, Provincial of Salesians of Don Bosco Konkan Province Fr Ian Figueiredo, Fr Mark Mathias, Fr Kiran Fernandes, Parish Pastoral Council Vice President Wilson D’Souza, Parish Pastoral Council secretary William Machado, Shirva ZP Member Wilson D’Souza, Assistant Priests of Our Lady of Health Church Shirva Fr Anil Castelino and others were present.
