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ST FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH, UDYAVARA, UDUPI

NEW CHURCH OF UDYAVARA

The newly built Church of Udyavara is all set to be inaugurated on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 9.00 am. Native of Udyavara Most Rev. Dr Gerald D’Almeida, presently the Bishop of Jabulpur diocese will inaugurate the new Church by opening the main carved door. Bishop of Udupi Most Rev. Dr Gerald I.Lobo will conduct the rite of blessing of the new Church along with the Holy Mass. Besides these two Bishops, Most Rev.Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulburga will preach and concelebrate. Big number of Priests both from Udupi and Mangalore dioceses and from outside will participate. We expect 5,000 people that day.

The new Church has picked up public attention, as the media reported the installation 12’ all weather fiber glass statue of Christ the Redeemer on the top of the 105 feet dome. There are a few more special features inside: the niches above windows and doors are decorated with beautiful stained glasses depicting many Biblical motifs, 14 Stations of the Cross and 20 Mysteries of the Rosary. Two large oil paintings in the front of the side ails depict life and the mission of St Francis Xavier, the Patron of the Church. The main Altar of the former Church with its Corinthian columns are finely fitted into the new Sanctuary of the Church. Church nave has single fan and the walls are mounted with wooden panels for better sound effects. With the “U” shape balcony, whole Church provides for 900 seats with pews for worshipers. Engineer-Professors from MIT Mr Dany Pinto, Mr Yogish Chandra Dhar and Mr Gopalkrishna Bhat have designed and directed this new Gothic style Church with Dome and Bell Tower; and contractor Mr Marshal Rodrigues has executed the work.

After the inauguration and Blessing ceremony of the Church, a public stage program will commence at 11.30 am. Eminent local leaders, both religious and secular have assured their participation in it. The prominent dignitaries from public life are: Ms Shobha Karandlaje MP, Mr Oscar Fernandes MP, Mr Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Devpt. & Minister in charge of Udupi Dt.; Mr U.T.Khadar Minister for Health & Family Welfare; Mr Promod Madhwaraj MLA , Mr J.R. Lobo (Chairman, Backward & Minority Devpt Comttee); Mr Ivan D’Souza, MLC, Mrs Sugandhi Shekar, Presidnet Udyavara Grama Panchayat; Ms Veronica Cornelio, Mr Antony Menocna, Mr Geogre Castelino Nakre; Archaka Sri Ranghanath Bhat; Moulana Abdul Raheed Rehamani; Haji Abdul Jaleel Saheb, Dr Jerry Vincent Dias and Udyavarites Dubai founder president Mr Gerald Pereira, Bolje.

Historical Background:

The new Church stands in the same location of the Church built in 1909. But the first church was built in 1866 at Melpete, near rock temple where our English medium school is now located. Udyavara Parish has history of 150 years. Thanks to the initiatives of two Udyavarites late Sri Dumingo G.Pereira and late Sri Louis Lobo who secured from Goan Archbishop the sanctioning of new Church in Udyavara. Till then the Christians of this area were belonging to Milagres Church of Kallianpura. Due to the marshy nature of the site of first Church, Venerable Monsignor RFC Mascarenhas shifted the location to Guddeangady (here) and built a new Church which was blessed on January 6, 1909. It was a beautiful Gothic Church, but became too small for the growing community in recent years. As Msgr RFC Mascarenhas is on his way to be elevated to the honor of Blessedness, much caution was exercised to discern the nature of the new Church. During the tenure of two former Parish Priests Rev.Fr Charles Noronha and Rev. Fr Cyprian Pinto the churning went on. Finally consensus emerged in April 2014. It was agreed upon by all stake-holders to build anew the Church in the same site by preserving the main altar (Garbhagudi) of the last Church and extending the structure as wide and as long as possible while paying attention to the Gothic elements. Hence, the new structure has many arches and a Dome to crown the Sanctuary. This Dome imitates the features of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican. Dome is a miniature sky above the earth and symbolizes the communication between humans on earth with God in heaven. The present Parish Priest Rev.Fr Dr Roque D’Souza having done in Germany his doctoral studies in theology, and having taught theology in Mangalore Seminary has given expressions to the above features in this new Church. Being in touch with all the people, he has taken into confidence the Parish consultative bodies and formed the Church Building Committee. From among them 12 were chosen to form the Core Committee which steered the entire work. All have supported the work with one heart and one mind. Apart from the Church and new Bell Tower, many additional works are accomplished. We note main works: 10 KV solar power production unit, and 7 pits for harvesting rain water around the Church building. One new house and repairs of 3 houses for the needy are done as part of our help for the poor.

The Govt. of Karnataka has considered favorably our application for aid from the allocation marked for Church renovation, and has sanctioned Rs.50 lakhs our this work, of which 25 lakhs are already paid. We remain grateful to the Minority Dept. of the Govt. of Karnataka. The building project has been fully supported by generous contributions from the local people. We wish to celebrate the inauguration and blessing Program with our friends and benefactors and all the people of Udyavara, irrespective of caste and creed. To translate this aspiration, two events HORE KAANIKE and INTER RELIGIOUS Sauhardha are marked in afternoon of Sunday, 24 April 2016. The latter graced by the Bishop of Udupi and His Holiness Sri Sri Sugunendra Swamiji of Sri Puthige Matt. Everybody is welcome on 28.04.2016 for the Inauguration. A fellowship meal at 1.30 pm will be served to all attending the program. The Building Committee and the Inauguration Committee have galvanized the people for the up-coming events.

Fr Roque D’Souza,  parish priest

Members Present at this Press Conference: Parish Priest/President - Rev. Dr Fr Roque D’Souza; Vice President: Mr Lawrence D’Sa, Secretary: Mr Michael D’souza, Building Committee Coordinator: Mr Melwin Norohna, Media Spokespersons: Mr John M.D’Souza & Mrs Irene Pereira, our Media Coordinator: Mr Stephen Colaco, the Members of Core Committee, Inauguration Committee, Church Finance Committee and Engineers Mr Dany Pinto & Yogish Dhar.

Lawerence Dsa Vice president.

Michal Dsouza Secretary