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Udupi: The blessings and inauguration of the Memorial Altar and the blessings of the newly erected Belfry Tower took place as a part of the upcoming inauguration of the newly renovated Church at grounds of St. Francis Xavier English Medium School, Melpete, Udyavar on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

A Holy Eucharistic Mass was celebrated on the verge of the Church completing 150 years of existence dedicated to the patron ‘St. Francis Xavier’ in Udyavar. The Church here existed from its inception from 1966 to 1908 and a brief detail has been engraved on granite.

Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general, diocese of Udupi, inaugurated and blessed the Memorial Altar. Presiding over the mass, he said, “I congratulate every fellow parishioners of Udyavar this evening while you all are set in the preparations for the inauguration of the Church.”

Patrick D’silva and Godfrey D’Souza, Project In-Charge of the Memorial Altar were lauded for their work.  Irene Pereira compered the session.

Procession with the Patron’s Statute followed after Mass from the Melpete grounds to Guddeangadi, where the present church has been renovated.

Thereafter the Inauguration of the new belfry tower took place, wherein Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Diocese of Udupi unveiled the sponsors granite of the new bell, while Wilfred and Sophia Crasto of Pithrody, Udyavara on behalf of their family, unveiled the sponsors granite of the bell tower.

Blessing the newly erected belfry tower, Bishop Gerald addressed, “So far by the blessings of St. Francis Xavier we have come to an end of building a Church without any big obstructions. It is a rare opportunity for this generation to give the testimony of the great events to happen ahead, to the next generation and even more rare opportunity to build a Temple of Prayer to show our gratitude to God. With only 11 days to go for the inauguration of the church, let’s come together, work hand in hand, and be prepared to welcome the big day and moment in our lives. Let the ringing of these bells bring us together from now on.”

Rev. Fr. Steevan D’souza, Director, Divya Jyothi, Diocese of Udupi, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’souza, Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Simon D’Souza, Holy Cross Congregation, Katpady, and Rev. Dr. Roque D’souza, Parish Priest, Udyavar, Lawrence D’Sa, Vice President, Michal D’Souza.

The Crasto brothers, namely Norbert, Wilfred, Norman and Victor and their families had donated a lump sum entirely for the infrastructural overhead of the belfry tower in memory of their late parents Gregory and Matilda Crasto. The old bell that was installed in the year 1970 has also been installed next to the new one. The bell tower comes with an amazing height up to 110 feet from the ground.

 Steevan Colaco compered the session at the Church ground.

The Hore Kaanike Procession will take place on April 24, 2016 at 3:00 pm. All the devotees bearing Hore Kaanike will join the procession at Jai Hind Complex which will be flagged off by H. D. Mendonca, S.P Lokayuktha, Karwar, Uttara Kannada.

Followed by it will be an Inter Religious Meet at 5:30 pm at the St. Francis Xavier Church grounds.

Internationally renowned musician Ustad Rafique Khan and his team will perform ‘Music for Harmony’ at this occasion.

The newly renovated church will be inaugurated on April 28, 2016