Udupi: Thousands of faithful witnessed the celebration of the Annual Feast of Our Lady of Vailankani at Stella Maris Church Kalmady near here on Monday, 15th August, 2016.

Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi diocese concelebrated solemn High Mass along with Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza Vicar and Parish priest of the Shrine, Rev Fr. Denis Castalino former parish priest and other priests.

Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo in his homily pointed out some of the life happenings with Jesus. He said Mother Mary wipes the tears of the world. She is near to us since beginning that we ask the help from her through Jesus, the Lord. Whole world needs her support and accepted Mother Mary as role model to our life. She accepted the word of God when she was very simple that she heard the voice of God and her life was an open book. She was real Mother of Jesus and for us.

We are celebrating dual celebrations that one the celebration of Assumption of Mother Mary and other we are celebrating the Independence of Mother India, our Nation. The real independence we didn’t enjoying in our country. We have still lot of problems facing specially the poor and downtrodden. We still have problems of corruption, intolerance. Attacks on citizens and all these should stop then only we will enjoy the freedom with Independence.

Rev Fr. Roshan capuchin and Leslie Aroza led choir fuelled devotion more during the Eucharistic celebration.

Prior to the Eucharistic celebrations, since 9 am to 10.15amgave honoring candles were to the sponsored of the feast. At the end of the mass, Rev Fr. Alban D’souza Parish Priest during in his announcements thanked and gave gratitude to thousands of devotees who gathered during the celebrations of the festival. Meanwhile he thanked the parishioner’s and other parishes’ devotees who present during nine day of Novena prayers which attracted in thousands in every novenas. He thanked the sponsors and well wishers for construction of the new church building. Bishop gave honoring decorated candles to the donors who donated lakh or more than one lakhs.

After the Eucharistic celebrations a brief informal function was organized which Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affair and also district in charge Minister was the chief guest. During on the occasion parish annual Bulletin was released by Pramod Madhwaraj. He was felicitated by Bishop with shawl, memento and fresh fruits basket. During in his address, Pramod Madhwaraj said that this church belongs in his locality. His father donated tiles for the church and he also helped to the new construction of the church building. He seen since his childhood that not only Catholics non Catholics also visiting this church. Moreover he strive to bring more funds from the Government and also do help whatever asking for. He thanked for the felicitation on the occasion.

Bishop gave his brief message on the celebrations of Annual Feast. Fr. Denis Castalino also spoke during the occasion. Earlier Vice President Mrs Flavy welcomed and Sanjay Andrade proposed vote of thanks. Shobha Mendonca compered the brief stage programme.
A fellowship meal was served to as many as 10,000 devotees on the occasion. In the evening at 4pm mass in Kannanda and at 6 pm Mass in English were held.

Since nine day’s novena prayers nine parish choir teams participated and made celebrations even more joyful and spirituality. All the days, the Adoration with divine prayers by the various priests were conducted. Everyday thousands put petitions and ask help through Our Lady of Vailenkani to God.