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Mr. Vinay Kumar Sorake (MLA Kaup and Ex Minister) inaugurated the newly renovated Cemetery of the St. Lawrence Church Moodubelle while it was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo (Bishop, Udupi Diocese).

While speaking at the gathering Mr. Sorake said that I’m pleased to be in the Holy Place of St. Lawrence Church which is well known for providing good education to the students of the vicinity and is well known for the educational institutions and other religious activities and keep the society in peace and harmony.  He further said “ Today we have honoured the Engineer Mr. Elias D’Souza and sponsors for providing for the people of Moodubelle the newly renovated cemetery.  It’s the fruit of their hard work”.  He also informed that a lot of work on widening and inter-connecting roads from Belle towards Manipura and Karkala are in place and soon it will be reality.

A brief welcoming and honoring ceremony was held prior to the inaugural function.   Mr. Alphonse K. Alva (VP Parish Council St. Lawrence Church) accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Guests of the day Mr. Vinay Kumar Sorake, His Excellency Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo,  Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza (Former Parish Priest St. Lawrence Church), Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa (PRO Udupi Diocese), Mr. Wilfred Rodrigues (Member Jilla Panchayat Udupi), Mr. Elias D’Souza (Engineer),  Rev. Fr. Alphonse D’Lima (Rector; Minor Seminary Moodubelle).  All the guests on the dais were honoured with floral bouquets by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas (Parish Priest, St. Lawrence Church Moodubelle).  All the donors and sponsors esp. Mr. Wilfred Menezes and his Father Mr. CashmirMenezes for the main sponsorship of the cemetery on the occasion.

On the occasion the architect of the state of the art newly renovated cemetery Engineer Elias D’Souza was honoured by Mr. Sorake with Traditional Shawl and with Jasmine garland by Bishop Gerald Lobo.

 Ms. Latha D’Mello proposed vote of thanks and Ms. Meera Lobo conducted the facility program.

The blessing of the new cemetery was began at 5:30pm with a prayer service followed by blessing of the cemetery by Bishop Gerald Lobo.  The holy Eucharistic mass was concelebrated at the cemetery at the newly built dome.  The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Gerald Lob along with Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and Mr. Valerian D’Souza. 

In his brief homily Bishop said that death is not end of our existence but a new transformation into eternity.  We feel sad when our dear once depart us but we should think that is the only way we can reach up to our Lord.  He quoted many examples of human life here on earth and compared them to Flowers as to their beauty and attraction and eventually withering of their petals and dying, similarly the green grass which is very beautiful but eventually in months it will dry and die but new grass will grow on earth.  He said we should not worry about death but do our work here honestly and serve people and when we die, we can reap fruit of our life with the presence of God Almighty.

Fr. Clement thanked each and every one and especially the donors for their kind donations to build this beautiful cemetery.

In his final message Bishop compared cemetery to the beautiful place and felt like staying here in a park as it has plants around the cemetery and looks like a park.  He further said that the Cemetry is the second holy place after the church and he has been stressing upon all other parishes give importance to the cemetery as many parishes ignore them and think it is only a burial place.  He requested parishioners of St. Lawrence to visit regularly and pray for their departed and also maintain this beautiful cemetery.  He congratulated everyone involved with the building of the cemetery.

After the Holy Mass bishop blessed the graves of all the departed where all members of the parish gathered around the graves of their departed loved once decorated their graves with flowers and candles.