Journey with St. Lawrence to the wards of Moodubelle Parish

Journey with St. Lawrence to the wards of Moodubelle Parish

Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle

Moodubelle, March 2 : As an integral part of the Centenary Celebrations of St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, the pilgrim statue of St. Lawrence has been on a spiritual journey to different Wards of the parish. This spiritual journey was inaugurated on Sunday, 21st February 2010 with a grand procession of about 150 parishioners to Fatima Ward. During the week this statue has been making rounds to different homes in the Fatima Ward.

 

 

On this occasion along with St. Lawrence, Bellevision will make its journey to all the 22 Wards of the parish and endeavour to give information about each of the Wards, its office bearers, the men and women who have dedicated themselves to the service of God and church, various activities during the week that the statue of St. Lawrence was venerated in the Ward, etc.

The patroness of this Ward is Our Lady of Fatima. She has been also referred as Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. The title ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ has been given to the Blessed Virgin Mary with respect to her reported apparitions to three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13. The three children were Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. The events at Fatima gained particular fame due to their elements of prophecy with regard to possible world war and the conversion of Russia. The reported apparitions at Fatima were officially declared ‘worthy of belief’ by the Catholic Church.

The Fatima Ward comprises of Padubettu and Orwadi regions and has only 16 houses. The coordinator (Gurkar) of this Ward is Mr. Henry Fernandes who is also the Vice President of the Parish Pastoral council. He is also a member of the Kodibettu Grama Panchayat. The other two Ward representatives are: Mr. Godwin Prashant Mathias and Mrs. Reshma Lobo.

Following the prayers conducted by Fr. Joswey Fernandes in front of the Statue of St. Lawrence decked in flowers, Mr. Henry Fernandes welcomed the gathering and conducted few quiz and lucky games. Fr. Joswey presented prizes to the winners and on behalf of the church gave to each family a Rosary emphasising the fact that in the Centenary year of the Moodubelle parish there should be an increased devotion to Rosary and the need to grow spiritually. He also stressed on the importance of family prayers. Fr. Paul appreciated the work done by Mr. Henry Fernandes and the representatives-Mr.  Godwin Mathias and Mrs. Reshma Lobo. Fr. Maxim recited the prayers before meal following which all the guests and Ward members were served lunch.

In the evening at around 5pm, the pilgrim statue of St. Lawrence was taken into procession by the Fatima Ward members and was handed over to the members of the neighbouring St. John the Baptist I ward, who in turn have taken the statue to the residence of the Gurkarn of the Ward, Mrs. Theresa Lobo from where it will be taken to other homes during this week.

Courtesy- Bellevision Media Network