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Udupi : The Solemnity of Mother Mary, the Holy Mother of God and Vigil of New Year’s Eve was celebrated with devotion and vigor at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur in Diocese of Udupi near here on December 31, 2024.

The beautiful evening liturgy of the feast and the New Year ’s Eve began with adoration of the Holy Sacrament from 7pm led by Mngr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rector of the Cathedral and Vicar General of Udupi diocese with large devotees. Meanwhile, the beautiful hymns sung by choir members accelerated the devotion of Holy Sacrament adoration.

Followed by, Bishop of Udupi diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo concelebrated the Solemn High Mass along with Mngr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, asst. parish priest, Rev Fr. Manoj Furtado, Superior and Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur, Rev Fr. Ronson D’Souza, parishioner and Superior of Holy Cross Fathers, Katapady.

In his wonderful hard-hitting homily, Fr Pradeep Cardoza, dominated the celebration of Jubilee and four pillars of Vedantha in relate to Mother Mary, Mother of God. The Truthfullness(Satyam), Righteousness(Daeya), Meditation(Tapasshu) and Charity(Daana).

Fr. Pradeep Cardoza said that God is Truth to Truth is God. God is holy and righteous, we are sinful and rebellious. Jesus is the answer, but we must respond. God is holy and righteous. Mother of God states a truth that must be stated in order to protect an essential truth about Christ. Mother Mary was a woman of faith who believed that God would fulfill His incredible promises to her, a faith that resulted in righteousness and humility. Mary was a righteous woman and graced by God. Mary Mother of God responds to God because she was able to believe, she was able to respond in faith. Thirdly, meditation that the first day of the New Year we concentrate all our efforts in meditation and prayer on Mary, who, in the family of God is our compassionate and loving mother. Mary helps us become better makers of peace by sharing in her virtues of compassion and love. We pray through Mother Mary today to be with us at every moment and make this New Year a year of Hope by the virtue of His passion and death. Lastly, the Charity. Mary showed charity in all she did. She visited her pregnant cousin when she needed help, she was a comfort to the disciples, and she took John the Apostle in as her son after the Ascension of Jesus. Mary is a bold example of charity and one we can take with us into our work. Mary was willing to drop everything she was doing to help another person in need. Giving unwanted toys to those less fortunate, smiling at someone on the street, holding doors open for people or visiting a sick relative is still charity because it warms someone’s heart.

At the end of the mass, Rector Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves conveyed wishes on the occasion of New Year 2025 and conveyed gratitude for the Bishop, priests, nuns and other concerned faithful on the celebration of New Year’s Eve.

Bishop distributed decorated candle to main sponsor and co-sponsors at the end of the mass and Bishop released a book on “Diocesan Pastoral Commission” which published by the Diocese of Udupi. Rev Dr. Jencil Alva is the co-editor of the book.

In his feast and New Year’s message, Bishop said that as far as pastoral commissions is concerned, the Udupi Diocese the first one to succeed in practice of diocesan pastoral commissions and it is due to support of the devotees of the diocese. He thanked all concerned for the success of the diocesan pastoral commissions in our diocese.

After the mass, all faithful in huge number gathered in front of portico the Cathedral to distribute prizes of the various YCS competitions. Bishop distributed prizes for the winners of greeting card competition organized by YCS members and crib along with star competition held by ICYM members.

Earlier, Bishop and Rector Mngr. Ferdinand Gonsalves inaugurated the New Year with releasing New Year 2025 banner. Housie game was also conducted by the YCS and ICYM members and distributed prizes for the various housie games.

After the mass, the faithful conveyed the new year’s greetings with each other. Huge number of people participated the New Year’s Eve.