BELLARY, JAN 27: “The humanitarian service rendered by the Christian community is unmatched”, declared former Member of Parliament Virupakshappa here at Sindhanur on Jan. 27.
Former MP from Koppal constituency was addressing a large gathering of Catholic faithful assembled to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Sindhanur in Raichur district.
“The Christian community has been rendering dedicated service in many fields such as education, healthcare, and social development. There is hardly anybody who can match it’s dedicated work,” opined the former MP.
In his presidential address, Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza complimented the Catholic community for the progress it has made in the field of spiritual life and education in the backward district of Raichur. He thanked the present and former parish priests who served with great devotion in the parish.
Bishop D’Souza urged the local community “to strive hard to share the life in abundance and work towards eradication of caste based discrimination in the society”.
“The quality education offered by the Church should reach the poor and the socially backward sections of the society”, he added.
The former pastors and prominent leaders of the parish were honoured on the occasion and prizes were distributed to the winners of various events held to mark the historic event.
The celebrations began with a procession and a solemn Concelebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop Henry D’Souza.
Fr. Mark Gonsalves, parish priest welcomed the gathering, which included the local Municipal Chairman Mr. Franklin and others.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary