Mangaluru: Ahead of the annual feast of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, ‘Hore Kanike’(offertory ) procession witnessing scores of devotees was held in the city on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Rev Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza welcomed the gathering .Mangaluru Sophia D’Souza from St Theresa (Little Flower) ward Bondel flagged off the procession at Mount Carmel Central School ground, Mary Hill and culminated at the St Lawrence Church premises, with Parish Priest Rev Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza receiving the offerings. Flagging off the procession, Sophia said, “St Lawrence Shrine is not only for Christians. It is the devotion center for people of all religions. It is a center of communal harmony.
Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School, conducted the prayer service. Rev Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza Parish Priest, Rev Fr Lancy D’Souza Asst Parish Priest ,Sr Melissa D’Silva Principal of Mount Carmel Central School, Rev Fr Melwyn D’Souza, MSIJ, Rev Fr Vipin Betharam, Reginald D’Souza Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Steevan Noronha Secretary, Prakash Pinto Convener Shrine Committee, Wilfred Alvares Convener –Hore Kanike Procession , Stany Alvares Convener of Publicity Committee. Parishioners and non-Catholics devotees of St Lawrence were present.
On all the days of devotion this year, starting from August 1st 2022 and ending with the feast on August 10 2022, devotees will be offered lunch from 1st Aug to 9th Aug and blessed bread in the evenings. The colorful offertory procession witnessed participation of many faithful, and comprised of offertory items to be used for the noon meals that will be served on all the novena days donated by various donors of the city. Devotees from various churches, and local organizations of different communities brought offerings in decorated vehicles. The parishioners from all wards dressed traditionally to symbolise the original tradition of the community, gathered ward by ward with their wide variety of gifts. The occasion and the ceremony reflected and celebrated the unity amongst all the community members and the neighbouring areas.
On the occasion of feast, the church and its surroundings are decorated with lights by the Shrine committee and various organizations contributed their offerings in ‘Hore Kanike’ procession. The Hore Kanike programme was compered by Stany Alvares Convener of Publicity Committee.
