Udupi: The newly-constructed Udupi Diocese’s first Infant Jesus Church Pilar-Shirva was inaugurated, blessed and dedicated by Bishop of Udupi Diocese Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in the presence of a large number of priests, religious and parishioners of Pilar, Shirva and neighbouring parishes on Tuesday.

The grand ceremony of the inauguration and blessing of the church commenced as the Bishop, along with Shirva church Parish Priest Fr Stany Tauro and a large number of people, came in a procession in front of the church.

Bishop Geald Isaac Lobo along with Fr Stany Tauro and Fr Valerian Mendonca inaugurated the new building of the church by cutting a ribbon.

Thereafter, the Bishop conducted a brief prayer service in front of the main door and formally opened the doors and entered the church along with the priests followed by the altar servers and the people.

The blessing and dedication of the new church commenced by the Bishop by blessing the water and sprinkling of the Holy Water on people. This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass singing ‘Gloria…’ by the choir.

In his homily, the Bishop said that the dream of the Pilar parishioners to have a new church building has been realised. It is the symbol of hope, aspirations, hard work and sacrifice of many of the parishioners, he said.

Bishop Gerald Lobo highlighted the meaning of the place of worship (temple or church) and traced the origin and development of places of worship since ancient times and pointed out that it was King David who thought of building a grand temple for God. However, he was not destined to complete the temple and it was his son Solomon who built a grand temple.

Continuing the homily, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that the church is the symbol of everlasting relationship between God and his people. it is a place of worship and prayer, he said.

Stating that in Indian culture, places of worship have a distinct place, the Bishop complimented the parish priest and people of Pilar for their efforts in erecting such a beautiful church building within a short period.