Mangaluru: On the World Day of the Sick when the Catholic Church fondly remembers Our Lady of Lourdes, who is venerated as the ‘Health of the Sick’ after the apparition of Blessed Virgin Mary to a little girl child Bernadette in 1858, a special Eucharistic celebration was organized at St Joseph Church, Jeppu under the banner of White Flower Association.
As a preparation for this feast 9 days novena was held, which helped the devotees to pray the rosary and to meditate the Word of God. The feast day celebration began with a grand procession from the Marian Grotto, which is situated in St Joseph Nagar, Jeppu, followed by a solemn Eucharistic Celebration in the open grounds of the Church premises. 
As a symbol of raising the hearts in thanksgiving, balloons arranged in the form of Rosary were unleashed in the sky seeking the intercession of Heavenly mother.
Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Mangalore, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration and Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado, the Administrator of St Joseph Seminary, broke the Word of God, highlighting the accompaniment and solace offered by Mother Mary in our daily strife of life especially when we are sick, who is invoked as “comforter of the sick” in the Litany of Loreto. A large number of devotees along with the priests took part in the event to thank God for His mighty works and to witness this meaningful celebration.
On this momentous occasion Ajay Miranda, S/o Antony Miranda and Louisa Miranda, a resident of Jeppu parish was felicitated on the successful completion of CA finals which is indeed a proud moment for the parish family.
In the end, the Parish Priest Fr Maxim D’souza expressed his gratitude to all those who rendered their services for the organisation of the event. After the mass 1000 food packets with biriyani were served to the people which were sponsored byJoJo Caterers, Jeppu. The whole event was organized by the Jeppu Parish along with the White Flower Association, under the leadership of Vijay Alfred and the Corporator Jacintha Alfred.
