Udupi:   Udupi Deanery level Altar Servers’ Convention for the first time was held at St. Mary’s School Campus, Kannarpadi, near here on Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014.  Eight Parish Altar Servers’ out of nine parishes Altar Servers’ rally proceeded towards the main auditorium of the school with the animators, priests, nuns and others. The one day convention was held under the leadership of Dean of Udupi Deanery Very Rev. Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas.

Prior to the inauguration, prayer dance was held by St. Francis Xavier’s Church Udyavara and later Fr. Fred Mascarenhas carried the Holy Bible and placed on the decorated pedestal.  Fr. Fred read the Holy Gospel in relation to children. After the reading from the Holy Gospel, Fr. Fred explained the character of the Patron Saint of Altar Servers’ St. John Berchmans. He further said that Altar Servers are very close to not only the altar of God but also very near to God.  Surely the services of altar servers has been recognized by the church as well.

The inaugural program was presided by Rev Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese. Present on the dais were Rev. Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa Convener of the Alter Servers of deanery, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Secretary of CESU, Diocese of Udupi, Rev. Fr. William Martis, Inter-religious Affair, head of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Alban D'Souza, parish priest of Kalmady Church, Mertyle Lewis Principal of St. Mary’s English School, Sr. Noel of Perampally, Gracian Buthello, Secretary of Udupi Parish Pastoral Council, Sisters, Animators and Prefects among others.

Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes inaugurated the convention by watering a pot of anthurium flower.

During his inaugural address Fr. Baptist Menezes stated that during the earlier days it was very difficult for the lay people to attend church every day. But due to the deep faith people were influenced and became devoted. The young people should become devout at early age to God and thereby be guided towards Him and becoming Altar Servers would help them shape it.

Earlier Fr. Denis D’Sa welcomed the gathering and explained the object of the Convention of Altar Boys. Fr. Roshan D’Souza Asst. Parish Priest of Moodubelle Church proposed vote of thanks. Br. Jithesh from Udyavara compered the inaugural program.

Around more than 350 Altar Servers from 9 parishes of the deanery participated. Rev Fr. Dennis D’Sa conducted some of the action songs, which thrilled the children. At the end of the inaugural program, the anthem song of altar servers was enacted beautifully.

After the Holy Mass various games like cricket, tug of war, spot games, quiz and other cultural programs were held.

In the overall competitions during the day, Moodubelle Church Altar Servers as well as Katapady Church Altar Servers were declared joint winners of Team Championship while Kuntalnagar Parish Altar Servers were declared runners up.