Bishop Gerald Lobo Dedicates Newly Built Gangolli Church
Kundapur: The long-standing dream to build the new Immaculate Consumption Church at Gangolli became a reality when the newly constructed church was inaugurated, blessed and dedicated in the presence of two bishops, a large number of priests and religious men and women from the diocese on Thursday, May 18.
The programme started at 9:15 am with the inauguration and blessing of the church and the solemn inaugural mass.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo the Bishop of Udupi diocese, and Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga inaugurated the newly built church by cutting the ribbon along with Fr Anil D’Souza Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr Albert Crasta Parish Priest of Gangolli, a number of priests from the Udupi Diocese, religious men, women and the parishioners of Udyavar and neighbouring parishes.
Bishop Gerald Lobo blessed and sanctified the water which was used to bless the people and the structure of the newly built church.
The solemn inaugural mass was concelebrated by the bishops and priests with Bishop Gerald Lobo as the chief celebrant.
Bishop Robert Miranda delivering the homily reminded of the history of building the ‘House of God’ from the Old Testament. He also highlighted the purification of the temple by Jesus by chasing the animal and bird sellers as well as other vendors from the temple of Jerusalem. Bishop Robert stressed on the significance of the church and pointed out how it is very closely associated with the lives of the faithful.
Soon after the homily, the Litany of Saints was recited. Thereafter, Bishop Gerald Lobo anointed the main altar with the Chrism oil and sanctified it while Bishop Robert Miranda anointed the walls of the church at the four main points. Bishop Gerald Lobo then recited the prayer of dedication of the church and handed over the lighted candle to Fr Albert Crasta who in turn lighted the candles on the newly blessed altar. Meanwhile, all the lights within the church were switched on and the solemn mass continued.
At the end, after the distribution of the Holy Communion, the Tabernacle was blessed and sanctified and the ciborium containing the Holy Eucharist was placed reverently inside the Tabernacle.
After the final blessing from Bishop Gerald Lobo, a public felicitation programme was held. The programme began with an invocation dance by the school children. Fr Albert Crasta parish priest of the church welcomed the gathering. Bishop Gerald Lobo along with other dignitaries inaugurated the Public felicitation programme by lighting the lamp.
Gopal Poojary MLA Byndoor released the Sovenir produced on the occasion of the building of the new church. Oscar Ferandes MP Rajya Sabha felicitated the donors on the occasion.
In their message, Goapl Poojary and Oscar Ferandes congratulated Fr Albert Crasta and his team as well as the parishioners for such a beautiful church constructed through donations and hard work. They recalled the contributions of Christians in various fields and highlighted the fact that Gangolli has been a confluence of religious harmony.
Fr Albert Crasa along with Gerald Crasta, Preethi Fernandes were felicitated by Bishop Robert Miranda and Bishop Gerald Lobo.
The previous Parish Priest of Gangolli Fr Alponse D’lima was also honoured during the occasion for his initiative for building a new church.
In his message Bishop Gerald Lobo said that in Indian culture, places of worship have a distinct place. The Bishop complemented the parish priest and people of Gangolli for their efforts in erecting such a beautiful church building within a short period. He said that the people of Gangolli have poured their love, sacrifice and labour into the construction of the new church building. It was their dream which has become a reality.
On behalf of the Diocese of Udupi, Bishop Gerald Lobo honoured Fr Albet Crasta with a shawl and garland.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, Fr Anil D’Souza, Dean Kundapur Deanery, M M Ibrahim Managing Director Quality Exports, Goa also spoke on the occasion.
Seetharam Shetty Administer, Narashima Poojary, Managing Direcor, Goan Bounty, Goa, Sr Juliana Gerald Newton Crasta, Preethi Fernandes were present.
Lavita Pinto and Owin Rebollo compered the programme. Fellowship community meal was served for all those who attended the inaugural function.
