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Udupi : The centenary celebration and annual ward feast of Fathima Ward, Kukkanje of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur was celebrated with devotion and unity on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

The thanksgiving mass offered for their ward patron ”Our Lady of Fathima” at Milagres Cathedral at 8am which Holy Eucharist co-celebrated by Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of the Cathedral along with Rev Fr. Cyril Lobo, Director of Liturgy Commission and Rev. Fr. Vincent Crasta, Director of Anugraha, Diocesan Pastoral Center and Secretary of CESU, Diocese of Udupi.

In his homily Fr Cyril Lobo dominated on the Mission Sunday and said the missionary mandate touches us personally to reflect on their own baptism, when they received the gift of faith and recommit themselves to the church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. The Church is missionary because that was the way of Christ. We are told in the Bible that God so loved the world that he sent his only Son Jesus and Jesus was sent into the world to reveal God’s love. In turn, Jesus said to his apostles, As the Father has sent me, so I send you.

The youth members of the Fathima Ward led the liturgy with devotion and gaiety along with huge offerings by the ward faithful.

At the end of the mass, Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca conveyed his wishes to Kukkanje ward families’ members on centenary celebration and annual ward fest.

At the outset, after the mass, all ward faithful gathered in front of the Statue of Our Lady of Fathima located at the portico of the Cathedral and offered prayers with unity.

On the occasion of centenary celebration and annual ward fest of Fathima ward, a get together of ward faithful held at Walter Cyril Pinto’s residence premises from 4.30pm.

As usual the evening ceremony of the ward fest began with traditional prayers since more than several decades with the Rosary of Our Lady of Mother Mary. For several decades one of the traditions and specialties during the celebration of ward feast that all the people were joining united to proclaim Rosary and procedure of praising with Litaniae Sanctorum. All the participants put their hands up and prayed for ward people, sick, deceased and other causes. The elders of the word led the Litaniae Sanctorum with devotion and gaiety along with all the participants.

Followed by the traditional prayers, a stage programme was held which Rector Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Asst. parish priest Fr. Joy Andrade, Fr. Cyril Lobo, Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza, Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Rev Fr. Alwyn Sequiera, Editor of Uzvaad Fortnightly, Melwyn Sequiera Vice President of Cathedral parish pastoral Council, Flavy Dais Gurkarn of Kakkunje ward were present on the dais.

Meanwhile, Eugene Rebello Secretary of parish pastoral council, Prema Lewis Coordinator of parish pastoral Commissions, nuns of Rose Convent and Maria Kripa Convent and several gurkars and gurkarns of other wards of the parish were present.

The evening stage programme began with an invocation prayer song by ward choir members. Gurkarn Flavy Dais welcomed the gathering with a rose flower to the guests.

Fr. Valerian Mendonca graced prayers and blessed the newly presented Statue of Our Lady of Fathima which was donated by Clary and Sylvia Lewis of the ward.

The ward choir members and along with the others sang a welcome song. One of the prominent members of the ward Dr. Nery Cornelio briefly placed the history of the ward on the centenary celebrations and their ward people’s active participation and role in the ward as well as for the church including some of the senior ward gurkars’ since several decades.

Fr. Valerian Mendonca and other guests on the dais felicitated former gurkars of the ward Dr. Nery Cornelio, Julious Gonsalves, Francis Furtado and Smt Sylvia Lewis. Fr. Valerian Mendonca also honored senior most members of the ward Lilly Furtado and Joseph Lewis who were present during the celebrations. On behalf of felicitated past gurkars, Sylvia Lewis gave gratitude to the ward people for honoring them. Meanwhile, ward Representative Gilbert Cornelio also honored by the Fr. Valerian Mendonca. Clarence and Sylvia Lewis the donors of the Our Lady of Fathima Statue were honored during the occasion.

Fr. Valerian Mendonca spoke during the occasion and conveyed the centenary and ward fest celebrations wishes and appreciated their active participation for the church and the ward for good. He also appreciated the unity of the ward people and following the traditional custom of the ward fest celebration every year for decades.

The games were conducted for the youths, males and females including the priests and nuns were held and later distributed prizes for the winners. The entertainment programmes conducted with dances by the youths, ladies and the gentlemen enriched the celebrations. The talented and academic meritorious youths were also honored by the Rector Fr Valerian Mendonca . The hosts of the celebrations Walter Cyril Pinto and Joyce Pinto were also honored by the Rector.

Fr. Joy Andrade graced prayers on the meal. Walter Cyril Pinto delivered gratitude to all the participants, well-wishers and others involved in the successful programme. Florine D’Souza compared the programme beautifully and systematically.

The centenary and ward fest celebrations winded with fellowship meals to all participants. 

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