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Mount Rosary Church Celebrates Annual Parish Feast with Grandeur and Devotion.

Bringing the curtain down on the fortnight-long festive celebrations, Mount Rosary Church marked a perfect and joyful finale with the Annual Parish Feast in honour of its Patroness, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, celebrated with great gaiety, devotion, and pomp on Wednesday, 7th January 2026.

Unlike the serene Vespers of the previous evening, the festal day dawned with vibrant enthusiasm. From 10.00 a.m. onwards, parishioners gathered in large numbers at the beautifully decorated and spacious church, radiating joy and thanksgiving.

Candles of Honour: 

A Gesture of Gratitude:
As a mark of appreciation and recognition, ‘Candles of Honour’ were presented to the leaders of the Church, including members of the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, and heads of various pious organisations.
The list of recipients was solemnly read out by Mrs Priya Furtado, Secretary of the PPC, while the Vicar, Rev Dr Roque D’Souza, handed over the candles.
Notably present on the occasion were Mr Luke DSouza Vice President of the PPC for the previous three-year term, and the newly elected Vice President, Mr Baptist Dias, Mr Valerian Fernandes Coordinator of 20 Pastoral Commission’.

The Parish Priest also felicitated all contributors and sponsors, whose generous support ensured the smooth and dignified celebration of the feast.

Festal Grand Mass:
At sharp 10.30 a.m., the Festal Grand Eucharistic Celebration was solemnly offered by Most Rev Dr Leo Cornelio, SVD, Archbishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Bhopal, and a proud son of Mount Rosary Parish.
The parish choir, at its prayerful best, set the tone for the celebration with a soul-stirring entrance hymn, ’Santosan ani ullasan Mandirat Ailyavmn ..’ as dozens of priests from the Kallianpur Vicariate, neighbouring parishes, institutions, and the native parish processed gracefully to the altar.
The homily was delivered by Rev Fr Oliver Nazareth, (presently serving as Principal in a CSC managed College in Kottayam in Kerala and) former Assistant Parish Priest of Mount Rosary for two memorable years. His reflection on the Word of God deeply touched the hearts of the faithful, inspiring renewed faith and commitment.

Expressing his joy, Archbishop Cornelio conveyed warm festal greetings to all parishioners, priests, and guests, and shared his happiness at presiding over the grand celebration in his beloved native parish. His words of appreciation for noticing steady growth of his mother parish truly encouraging.

Words of Thanksgiving:

The Parish Priest, Rev Dr Roque D’Souza, extended heartfelt festal wishes to all present also on behalf of assistant parish priest Rev Fr Rohan Muscarenhas and remembered with affection those unable to attend—especially parishioners serving outside, overseas, and the sick and elderly confined to their homes. He took the opportunity to sincerely thank everyone for their active participation and generous support in both religious and social activities throughout the Jubilee Year 2025.
Chief celebrant Bishop Carnelio was honoured for his graceful presence with a bouquet as he presented special candles as mementos to special Donors during this festival season and beyond...and Rev Fr Oliver Nazareth too was recognised with a decorated candle. 
Rev Fr Joseph Mathias Vicar of Giri Church conveyed festal greetings on behalf of Deanery and Vicar General.

Festivities Beyond the Altar:

The church grounds wore a carnival look, bustling with shops, stalls, ice-cream vans, and other attractions that added colour, entertainment, and cheer to the occasion.
The enthusiastic ICYM and YCS youth played a vital role in mobilising participation in sports, games, lucky dip draws, and other fun-filled activities.
The festive spirit was set to continue into the evening with a popular free Tulu comedy drama, “Raghu Master”, staged at the church open-air stage at 6.45 p.m.

A Celebration of Togetherness:
As always, this busy yet beautiful festive season once again became a cherished occasion for reuniting with friends, relatives, and extended family members. Many new and familiar faces returned to the native soil, on vacation multiplying the joy and strengthening bonds of faith and fellowship.

Reported by: P. Archibald Furtado
Photographs: Praveen Cutinho