Click here for more photographs

Ferar (Mangalore Taluk) Dec 30, 2007: It was a special occasion, historic at that.  The St. Francis Xavier Church, Ferar, near Gurpur Kaikamba here celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its church building on 30th December, 2007. Paying glowing tributes to the spirit of Parishioners of this Church Bishop of Mangalore, Rev. Dr.  Aloysius Paul D'Souza in his homily said that "where the family stays together, it prays together and eats together - there the love will grow."

 

Earlier the parishioners gathered at the main entrance of the church and welcomed the Bishop with traditional gaiety and pomp and escorted him to the church in a ceremonial procession which added color to the entire celebration. The procession was led by the brass band and culminated at the church for the celebration of festive mass. Traditional lamp was lit by the Bishop, parish priest Fr Maxim Noronha, Sr Concepta, Sr Flora, Vice president of parish council Ronald Vaz and Secretary Melwyn Albuquerque.

The Parishioners of Ferar were delighted to hear the Bishop Dr. D'Souza who himself conducted the Eucharistic High mass at 9.30 a.m.  In his beautiful homily, he also told a story of a father and son. "One day a son asked to his father, "Daddy, What are your earnings per day?". The father shouted at his son and refused to divulge his salary. In the night, when the son went to sleep after having dinner, the father who felt bad at yelling his son went to his room. The son was lying on the bed. Then, the father asked his son, "Are you sleeping?" The son replied, "No daddy I am not". At that time, the father said to his son, "You want to know my salary right, its only $20 a day. Then the son asked the father to give him $10 from his salary. The father removed $10 from his pocket and handed it over to his son. The son took the money from his father and started collecting some other money from under his pillow. He collected all the money and said to his father, "Daddy take this $20 and stay with me for one hour; give me some moments of happiness". Dr. D’Souza added “If you love your parents, you will get a long-life and richness”. Today, the parents are busy with their work and they do not have enough time to spend with their children. The parents should spend sometime at least once a week with their children to share their thoughts and feelings", he added. In narrating this simple story Dr. D'Souza had told one of the greatest stories depicting the importance of the family stability.

To commemorate the 75th platinum jubilee of the church, a day long programme and celebrations were arranged by the parishioners. After the mass, all the people gathered in the parish hall. The programme began at 11:15am with a prayer song from the parish choir group.

The main agenda of the celebration was stage programme. Following the lively welcome dance by the children of the parish the guests took their seats on the dais. Rev. Fr. Maxim Noronha, Parish priest of Ferar welcomed the Guests. In his address he spoke briefly about the history of Ferar parish.  Originally all the current parishes of Pezar warado were part of Pezar Parish. People at that time had to walk a distance of more than 15kms to reach pezar and Fr Baretto, the then parish priest of Pezar built a small chapel at Ferar in 1882 for the convenience of people arriving from Ferar and neighboring villages. A new parish with Ferar and its neighboring villages, was officially formed as Fr Reginald Pinto as its parish priest on March 31, 1912.
 
The existing beautiful and artistic church building was blessed and inaugurated on 28 Dec 1932. The foundation stone for this church building was laid in 1923 by Bishop Paul Perini, when Rev.Fr.James Sequeira was the parish priest here. The foundation work itself had taken 5 years! Thus almost 75 years are passed, witnessing the strong foundation that the magnificent church that has stood straight all these 75 years, said Fr Maxim.
 
The church is the sign of firm faith of the people of the parish since the existence of Christianity in this place for more than 100 years. The church has withstood all the natural calamities like rain, heavy winds and the scorching heat. So, it is a good occasion to celebrate it as a platinum jubilee of the church building, he added.
 
He also spoke about the progresses made by the church in these 75 years and the struggle of parishioners to build this church in the pre-independence era. He welcomed and thanked all the guests and the parishioners.

This was followed by honoring ceremony. Rev. Fr. Aloysius D'Souza honored the couples in the parish who have completed their 50 years of marriage, and those who are aged above 75 years were honored and presented mementos. The religious brothers and sisters belonging to various congregations from the parish were also honored.  All the former ward Gurkars, retired teachers were also felicitated.

Later, a "Ferarchem Preran" an anniversary issue to commemorate the jubilee was released by the Bishop. "Dispotthe Saantha-Baktaancho Sangaath" a book written in Konkani by Fr Maxim Noronha was released by Vicarvar of Pezar Fr. John Mendonca. Later, he distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held as part of the Jubilee celebrations. In his speech he lauded Fr Maxim for organizing this grand celebration to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ferar parish which is one among the oldest parishes in Mangalore diocese. "Fr. Maxim is a capable and energetic priest. He has successfully kept the parishioners together as one family as its head which is a great example of the strong family bond. He congratulated the parish on celebrating platinum jubilee.

The parishioners on the occasion also donated a sum of Rs. 50,000 towards Bishop’s decennial fund to help poor and under-privileged patients.
 
In his presidential speech, the Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D'Souza said that he is very happy to see the children actively participating in every competition and winning prizes. He also congratulated them and all those who trained the kids to come up in a competitive mind. He said that Ferar parish has given many religious brothers and sisters to the diocese, and he congratulated them. This parish is progressing in each and every aspect, the elderly people have been honored, and this is a symbol of respect shown to elders. Dr D'Souza also asked the youth to follow these elders. While honouring the priest and nuns, Bishop said that instead of honouring the religious brothers and sisters, their parents should be honored; because it is due to them and their sacrifices that they have many religious brothers and sisters in their parish. Parents are the role models for their children, he added.

Later, Fr. Maxim Norohna honoured the guests with memento and flowers. More than 1500 parishioners were gathered to witness this historic event. Vice president, Mr. Ronald Vaz, proposed vote of thanks. Rev. Dr. Aloysius invoked blessings over the food by leading the angelus. A sumptuous lunch was served to all the parishioners.  
 
Various games were conducted for the children and elders in the church ground after the lunch which was followed by the cultural programmes organized by the parishioners.

Click here for more photographs

By Violet Pereira Mangalorean.com Team