May 4, 2018 : The Centenary of a Church in any Parish marks a very important milestone in its history. It is a time for Celebration, not only for the Church itself but for the whole parish community. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to all those who toiled and served in this temple of God and its people.
We look back on our history and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon the church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, build on a small hillock surrounded with the greenery, by the humble, devote and committed faithful, whose sweat and blood raised each stone upon stone to build this mansion of Mighty God. It was therefore fitting on Wednesday, 2nd May 2018 the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Sacred Heart Church Madanthyar culminated with a grand event at the Church grounds.
The long awaited event commenced with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza – Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, presided over the ceremony. Most Rev. Dr. William Dsouza S.J – Arch Bishop of Patna, Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy – Bishop of Belthangady, Dr. Henry Dsouza – Bishop of Bellary, Dr. Geevarghese Mar Makarios – Bishop of Puttur and hundreds of Priests, religious and lay people graced this Historical occasion.
After the Eucharistic Celebration, the stage event was presided by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul Dsouza – Bishop of Mangalore, who spoke about the significance Sacred Heart of Jesus in our life. Being the chief Guest Most Rev. Dr. William Dsouza S.J – Arch Bishop of Patna, inaugurated this great event.
Guests of Honor Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy – Bishop of Belthangady felicitated all the former priests who served in this parish and appreciated their dedicated service.
Dr. Henry Dsouza – Bishop of Bellary honored all the lay leaders of this parish and appreciated their selfless service.
Dr. Geevarghese Mar Makarios – Bishop of Puttur, Rev. Sr. Susheela Sequeira – UFS Mother General, Ursuline Francisican Sisters, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Nazarath – Vicar Forane Belthangady, Sri. B. Ramanath Rai – Honarable Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Govt. of Karnataka, Sri Nalin Kumar Kateel – Member of Parliament, Sri Vasantha Bangera – M.L.A Belthangady Constituency, Sri Gopal Krishna – President, Madanthyar Grama Panchayath, Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao – OCD Provincial Superior Carmelites, Rev. Sr. Rita Dora Thomas – Provincial Superior Salesian Sisters, Rev. Sr. Apoline Cordeiro – UFS Provincial Superior Ursuline Franciscan Sisters were present on the stage.
As Guests of Admiration the Former Parish Priests; Rev. Fr. Alexander Lobo, Rev. Fr. Charles Noronha, Rev. Fr. Harold Mascarenhas, Rev. Fr. Valerian Frank, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Mascarenhas were present.
Nearly 4000 people witnessed this historical event.
