Sea of Devotees Throng Annual Fest of Stella Maris Church-Kalmady
Pics By Praveen Corea, Sany Digital Kalamdy
Udupi: The annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine at Stella Maris Church-Kalmady was celebrated on August 15.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, was accorded a grand welcome by the Kalmady parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza, along with the parish council members.
The Bishop con-celebrated the festive mass along with Fr Francis Cornelio-Parish Priest of St Ann’s Church-Thottam, Fr Chethan Lobo PRO Udupi Diocese, Fr Alban D’Souza-Parish Priest-Kalmady and other priests.
In his homily, the Bishop stressed on the holiness of Mother Mary and said that She was lifted up to Heaven body and soul as per God’s plan. “She is the real role model for all human beings who have doubts about life after death. Her faith and obedience in God made this happen.”
“There is a link between Mother Mary and the Holy Sacrament. The Immaculate Mother of God, Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her early life, assumed her body and soul into heaven. With that, the ancient belief became the Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God. Mother Mary always believed in Jesus. Mother Mary remained faithful to the Lord,” added Bishop.
The Choir was conducted by Leslie Aroza with the choir group of Thottam and Kalmady Church.
More than 8,000 devotees participated in the fellowship meal which was arranged after the mass.
At the end of the mass the parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza greeted the devotees and also thanked the Bishop, the parishioners and the parish council for their concerted efforts in organizing the annual feast.
Candles’ were distributed to the sponsors of the festival..
