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Udupi : One of the largest boat – shaped churches in the country, Stella Maris Church, Kalmady was inaugurated and blessed in grand ceremony which was dedicated to the people in the presence of three Bishops, many priests and larger people on Saturday, 6^th January, 2018.

Prior to the inauguration ceremonies, three Bishops, Most Rev Dr. Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shivmogga and Most Rev Dr. Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulburga were received by Kalmady Church Parish Priest Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza.

Followed by the light house shaped belfry tower was inaugurated by Rev Dr. Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbara Diocese and the Shrine of Velankani was inaugurated by Most Rev Dr. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shivmogga and the new church building was inaugurated by the Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese by cutting the ribbon tied across the main door of the new church building.

Bishop Gerald Lobo then blessed and sanctified the water which was used to bless the people and the structure of the newly built church. The solemn High mass was concelebrated by the three Bishops along with larger priests.

In his homily, Rev Dr. Francis Serrao pointed out the importance of the church and the meaning of the church and temple of God almighty. The five things we need when we construct a temple of God are the location should be a hill station. We can’t construct temple in common place. There should be rocks around the place of the temple. We also need a source of water, there should be a tree with greenery and there should be a flag post.

We will get God in such place to pray and ask our intentions with the God. There should need a Sanctuary – alter in the church where we can get God. The temple of God is necessary for His devotees. We should have the confidence with the God. When in the boat, Jesus saved himself and his disciples. They had faith with Jesus when his disciples supposed to drown from the boat. Same while, in Jesus always remains in this boat shaped beautiful church. The message is that Lord Jesus Christ will save us if we have faith and confidence in him, he said.

At the end of the Eucharistic mass, Bishops consecrated the Sanctuary and later the key of the Sanctuary handed over to parish priest Fr. Alban D’Souza by the Bishop Gerald Lobo.

Rev Fr. Stephen D’souza, Director of Diyva Jyothi and Liturgy of the diocese compered the religious ceremony during the blessing of the church building. Fr. Alban D’Souza proposed brief gratitude to all concerned at the end of ceremony.

The formal felicitation programme started after the Eucharistic celebration which was presided over by Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese. Bishop Rev Dr. Robert Miranda, Bishop Rev Dr. Francis Serrao, Pramod Madhwaraj, district in-charge Minister, Ivan D’Souza MLC and chief whip, Government of Karnataka, Oscar Fernandes MP Rajya Sabha, Blossom Oscar Fernandes, Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Chancellor of Udupi diocese and dean of Udupi deanery. Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje Udupi CMC President, Narayan Kunder CMC Councilor, Harmis Noronaha President of CMC standing Committee and councilor, Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza, Sanjay Andrede and Shobha Mendonca Vice President of Secretary of parish pastoral council, Louis Lobo President of Church Inauguration committee were present on the dais.

Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza welcomed the gatherings and Sanjay Andrede honoured the guests on the dais. Louis Lobo read out the message of Pope Francis. In his address Bishop Robert Miranda said that the most beautiful boat shaped church will lead us towards heaven. We spend for the beautiful church should not matter so much that He loves us and He will helps us.

The Souvenir was released by Pramod Madhwaraj. In his address said that Malpe Sea Fort is one of the largest sea forts in the country. Madhwacharya brought Sri Krishna statue was found at Malpe in a boat. When we think of Sri Krishna, we remember the boat. It is miracle that boat shaped church constructed here in Malpe. It is God mercy that one of largest boat shaped church constructed in Malpe which will be largest in Asia. When I was MLA, I was present during the ceremony of foundation stone laying for the church construction. It will be also miracle that when I am Minister, I able to present for the inauguration of the church building.

Ivan D’Soua MLC also spoke during the occasion and said he was hard to get sanction from the state by requesting the chief minister and sanctioned Rs. 20 lacs. Oscar Fernandes also spoke during the occasion.

Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo spoke in his presidential address and gave gratitude to all concerned. He remembered Capt Fr. Charles D’Souza, founder of the church and other priests who served here. He also gave gratitude to Jesuits priests for the services rendered in this church and thankful for Bishop Francis Serrao. He also thankful for Fr Alban D’Souza for his day and night sacrifices for the development of the church. He said this church not only worship place for Catholics but also other religion faith people as well.

Bishop Francis Serrao felicitated the donours during the occasion. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo honoured the children for their contribution to the church. Fr. Alban D’Souza was felicitated by Bishop Gerald and parish vice president and secretary Sanjay Andrede and Shobha Mendonca. Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca blessed on the meal and Smt Shbha Mendonca proposed vote of thanks. Ronald Olivera compered the programme.