Saint Sabastian Church Bendur Celebrates Annual Parish Feast with Faith, Culture and Community Spirit

Saint Sebastian Church, Bendur celebrated the Annual Feast of its Patron Saint, Saint Sebastian, on January 18 with deep devotion and vibrant community participation. As a mark of gratitude and blessing, candles were distributed to benefactors, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) members, and sponsors by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr Walter Dsouza.

The Festal Holy Mass was solemnly celebrated at 8:00 a.m., with Very Rev. Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, Vicar Forane of the Episcopal City Deanery, as the main celebrant. Rev. Fr Walter Dsouza, assistant Priests and guest Priests from neighbouring Parishes concelebrated the Mass. Reflecting on the feast theme, “Our Children – Fruits of the Kingdom of God,” the main celebrant emphasized the shared responsibility of families, the Church and society in nurturing children in faith, values and love, describing them as God’s precious gift and hope for the future. An English Holy Mass was later celebrated at 10:00 a.m. by Rev. Fr Ronald Serrao, Professor at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu.

The cultural programme began at 5:30 p.m. with a prayer hymn by the choir, invoking God’s blessings. The Vice President of the PPC, Deepak Dsouza, welcomed the gathering, followed by the presentation of the Annual Parish Report by former PPC Secretary Patsy Britto, highlighting the Parish’s spiritual, social and pastoral initiatives during the year.

A key highlight of the evening was the felicitation of Parish achievers for their outstanding contributions and achievements. Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha was honoured for receiving the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award; Denis Dsilva and Dr Vivian Mendonca for the Dakshina Kannada Rajyotsava Award; Irene Leena Fernandes for the State-Level Best Teacher Award; and Dr Sunitha Benedicta Lasrado and Dr Suman Antony Lasrado for completing their Ph.D. Retired Gurkars were also honoured for their years of dedicated and selfless service to the Parish.

In his message, Rev. Fr Walter Dsouza expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the feast and encouraged the faithful to continue building a vibrant and faith-filled parish community. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Parish Secretary Royston Farrias, while Alwyn Dsouza compered the event.

The celebrations concluded with the Konkani drama “Chiri,” presented by the Asthithva Team and written and directed by Rev. Fr Alwyn Serrao. The socially relevant drama was witnessed and appreciated by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Mangaluru Diocese, who graced the occasion.

The Parish feast celebrations stood as a true reflection of faith, gratitude, culture and unity, leaving lasting spiritual and joyful memories among the Parishioners.