Udupi: Speaking to the media persons, the parish Priest Rev. Fr Philip Neri Aranha said that blessing and Inauguration of the Mount Rosary New Church will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.
Mount Rosary which has a long history of 178 years is one of the oldest churches in Udupi and Mangalore dioceses. In 1837, some of the Christians around Santhekatte felt the need to build a new church for the better convenience. The thoughts gradually gave idea for the new and renovated church.
He added that the church is now spacious enough to comfortably accommodate 1200 faithful. It is a massive structure 115 feet in length 76 feet in width and 60 feet in height. The Altar is a work of art from renowned artists and architects from Korathi, Kerala. They have carved a beautiful altar with their manual dexterity. Undoubtedly, their piece of art will be remembered by all generation in the years to come.
The church has an Adoration Chapel with is fully Air-conditioned, where the people can pray all the day through. The wooden cross on the High Altar, the tinted glass windows which depict the vivid happenings from the Bible, the way of the cross in Mosaic style, the statues of Saints, the statue of our Lady of Mount Rosary are the primary attraction of the Church.
The attraction of the church is the huge single fan imported from Canada with its cool breeze is sufficient to make the entire congregation in the church comfortable. This is the first of its kind in the entire Karnataka State. Hitherto, nearly 30,000 tourists, visitors, school children from far and near, different parts of India, have visited the Church and have expressed their sentiments of appreciation and praise. This has given us immense Joy.
In addition, the new church has a presbytery by its side, for the residence of Priests , belfry, two attractive welcome arches one from Kallianpur road and the other from Kemman road. The surrounding area of the Church is paved with interlocks which add ambience to the Church he added.
The Confraternity Sunday would be held on January 4, with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and procession of the Blessed sacrament to Santhekatte and sermon by Rev. Fr. Franklin D’souza. It would be followed by “HoreKanike” by inter-religious get together on January 5.
