Mangaluru: The Bondel parishioners congregated in the church pendal at 7 p.m. on Dec 31 2023 to bid goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year 2024 with prayer and hope, as the old year 2023 was about to end and the new year 2024 was waiting to see the dawn. Large crowds of parishioners from St Lawrence Church, Bondel, gathered here to adore the Blessed Sacrament.
Rev Fr Vijay Machado, Director Mangala Jyothi, led the Holy Hour with meditation and devotion as a way of giving thanks to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon the parishioners. Rev Fr Vijay Machado assisted those present in contemplating their transgressions and inadequacies as he thanked the Lord for the blessings bestowed on the faithful.
The Solemnity of the Mary, Mother of God feast began with the Eucharistic Banquet. Rev Fr Vijay Machado, was the main celebrant. Rev Fr Vijay Machado, in his homily, highlighted the importance of Mary Mother of God – Let it be to me according to your word.”. “Today’s Feast of Mary, the Mother of God is a very appropriate way to begin a new year. This celebration reminds us that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, is also our Heavenly Mother.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had an important role to play in God’s plan of salvation, From the beginning Mary never faltered to be the Christ-bearer and model for the Church: She evangelized with Jesus in Galilee. She witnessed the Passion and death of her son. She stood at the foot of the cross and accepted her role as the mother of all Christians (Jn 19:26). She was present with the Church gathered after the Ascension (Acts 1:14).
Mary’s super virtue is her total obedience to God’s will. Mary’s great legacy lies in calling the world to faith in Jesus. From generation to generation she evangelizes saying, do whatever Jesus tells you. That is why Pope Paul VI called Mary the Star of Evangelization. Her evangelizing for Jesus. She is actively leading us to encounter Jesus and obey his commands. The Star of Evangelization says, “Do whatever he tells you to do.” How honoured we are to be the Church today. To have Mary with us … to know Mary … and pray with Mary.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza Parish Priest, Rev Fr Lancy D’Souza Asst. Parish Priest, Rev Fr Ravi Kumar-MSIJ, Rev Fr Arul-Betharram, Rev Fr Theo Pinto SVD, Rev Fr Julian, Rev. Fr Prem Redemptorist, Rev Fr Leo concelebrated the mass.
The Children’s choir enriched the spiritual atmosphere by singing melodiously meaningful hymns. Before the final blessing, prizes were distributed to the winners of the Individual Crib Making Competition, and Anti-drug Awareness Competition.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo, Parish Priest, concluded by wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2024. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who assisted in the New Year’s celebration, including the PPC members, volunteers, children’s choir, liturgical committee, and the concelebrating priests.
Following the mass, the SVP organisation hosted a brief programme that included spot games, auctions, and Housie Housie. Large crowds of parishioners attended the SVP programme.
Report by: Meena Serrao Barboza
Photography by: Anon Rego
Read more:
