Shimoga: Our Lady of Assumption Church Hiriyur Chitradurga district Diocese of Shimoga Karnataka celebrated its annual feast on 18th August 2022.
Feast preparations began with three days renewal retreat from August 12 to 14, 2022 preached by Rev. Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Kable and Bro. William D’Souza musician of Yesusparsha team.
On 15th August Rev. Fr Duming Dias, Director of “Sannidhi”, Centre for Pastoral Renewal, Diocese of Shimoga and Rev. Fr Robert D’Mello, Parish Priest of St. Sebastian Church, Soraba, Shimoga hoisted the flag of Our Lady of Assumption and officially started the three days novena. Fr Duming Dias celebrated the Holy Eucharist and Fr Robert D’Mello preached the homily on “Mother Mary is the Channel of Hope”(bharvasheya taayi merimaate). Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Nelson D’Souza Assistant Parish Priest, Mrs. Rani Victoria Parish Council Secretary and Mrs. Maria Olivera Parish Finance Council Secretary honoured both silver jubilarian priests; Rev. Fr Duming Dias and Rev. Fr Robert D’Mello on behalf of the Parish.
On 16th August Rev. Fr Edward David, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Tumkur celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached a homily on “Mother Mary is the Channel of Patience”. (Sahaneya taayi merimaate).
On 17th August Mary Road Chariot was taken to thank Our Lady of Assumption by the Assumption ICYM youth as it was tradition of the Parish. Rev. Fr Clarence Dias, Parish Priest of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached a homily on “Mother Mary is the Channel of Self Confidence “. (Aatmavishwasada Tayi Meri Maate).
On Thusday Parishioners received the Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao SJ Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga at Hospital Circle and welcomed him with a small procession together with the band.
Bishop Francis Serrao Sj concelebrated the festal Holy Eucharist with 18priests. Among them Rev. Fr K. A. George Dean of Holy Family Deanery, Rev. Fr Stany D’Souza Dean of Mount Carmel Deanery and Rev. Fr Anthony Peter Dean of Little Flower Deanery were present. A big number of faithful and religious witnessed the thanks giving Holy Eucharist. In his homily Bishop spoke on “Mother Mary is Mother of our families”. (Kutumbagala taayi merimaate). He invited faithful to take her as their role model. Rev. Fr Nelson D’Souza led the choir.
At the end Parish Priest Fr Franklin D’Souza thanked everyone. Honoured the donours with candle and for every SCC unit blessed candles were distributed.
Evening there was a chariot procession as the culmination of the Church feast. Rev. Fr Richard Pais, Director of the KROSS and Rev. Fr Francis Almeida, Regional Secretary for Education were the guests. Holy Family Deanery Rev. Fr K.A. George and Rev. Fr Alphonse Lobo were present. Rev. Fr Richard Pais blessed the three chariots namely; of St. Sebastian, St. Anthony and main Chariot of Our Lady of Assumption. Procession began at 7pm hundreds faithful and other people witnessed mega event of procession. It took almost two and half hours.
After the procession Parish Priest Fr Franklin D’Souza led the thanks giving adoration and benediction. From last two years due to COVID – 19 Parish couldn’t celebrate the feast. This year Parish celebrated it with very meaningful as well as in a grand manner.
