12. ANNUAL FESTIVAL - 2015

OUR LADY OF SEVEN DOLOURS CHURCH, VELLICODE

ANNUAL FESTIVAL- 2015.

President and Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Leo Alex

Vice President: Mr. Maria John

As usual, the festival started on the second Friday of September 2015 with flag hoisting ceremony.

The church flag was hoisted at 6.30 PM.

               

A brief account of the sermons is given below.

        On 11-9-2015,  Rev.Fr.Y. Xavior described 2015 as dedication year. He exhorted the laity to dedicate their life for uplifting the society.

        Rev.Fr. Benzihar, on 12-9-2015, during his morning mass, wanted the people to love the downtrodden.

        Re.Fr. Andrew, on the same day evening, wanted the people to improve the living conditions of the people.

        Rev.Fr. Titus Mohan, on 13 -9-2015, wanted everyone to spare at least 10 minutes every day for the service of his neighbours. He said that the people must save their talents for deeds rather than for words.

        Rev.Fr. Senith Xavior, on 14 -9-2015, said that everyone must look after their parents at their old age. He suggested:

1. Re. one lakh each for mother and father in a bank.

2. One master medical check - up per year.

3. One tour per year and

4. The sons and daughters must while away a few hours with their parents every year.

Rev.Fr.Pushparaj, on 15 -9-2015, said that some people donate their organs. They are ready even to lose their life for their friends.

 In contrast, some people kill others. He said that the governments murder the farmers. “If the people responsible for doing justice begin to do injustice where will the people go” he asked.

Rev. Fr. Edison, on 16 -9-2015, mentioned the bad effects of drinking. He wanted the people to get rid of drinking and make their body a temple of the Almighty.

Rev. Fr. Joy, on 17 -9-2015, said that thieving occurs in different forms. They are:

1. Ordinary thefts for gain like chain snatching, house breaking. Here, a person takes what patently belongs to another man.

2. A person may secretly keep something belonging to others. The act of refusal to return it to the owner is theft.

3. A man possessing power might recommend his friend or a relation to a post displacing another person from the merit list. This is another form of theft.

4. A man must enjoy the fruits of his hard work. If he tends to enjoy something gained without hard work, it becomes an act of theft.

5. Adulteration is another form of theft.

6. Other acts of corruption are nothing but theft.

He, further, said that wages must be according to need. Then, thieving could be controlled.

Rev. Fr. Jagan Basu, on 18-9-2015, said that all men distinguish between right and wrong but they do not possess the courage to tell the truth.

Rev: Fr. Sahayadhas, on 19-9-2015, said that in order to maintain good family relationship, the members of the family must respect and admire one another. They must inculcate a habit of standing for the truth. He added that the money earned by a man would last for four or five generations but the good name earned by a man would endure forever.

Rt. Rev. Jerome Dhas Varuvel, Bishop of Kuzhithurai Diocese, on 20 -9-2015, said that when a man becomes sick, some of his friends go to see him immediately.  In contrast, some others go to see him after a few days as a formality.

He said that Holy Mary responds to the cries of the people immediately.

He said that the education, wealth and other comforts of a man are nothing, if he does not possess ‘a magnanimous heart’.

He urged the people to bear the sufferings of the people and live in the service of humanity.

There was a car procession after the Holy Mass in the morning.

After that, the festival concluded with the lowering of the church flag.

*Rain interrupted the ninth day service at night.

*The functions went on smoothly on the tenth and final day.

 *The modest crowed was orderly.

*There was no police. Some people resented it.

  *Smoking was prohibited in the church campus.

  *The vehicles were not allowed to enter the church campus for the first time.

  * The preponderance of the professional beggars was relatively greater this year.

* Some overzealous volunteers collected tax from the vendors. Some felt that the collection of this tax must be discontinued.

  *To the total discomfiture of the people, there were too many loud speakers. Due to echo, the sermons were not very clear. However, the light arrangements were better.

 *Due to rain, the attendance during the car procession was thin.

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Note: On the penultimate day of the festival, ie. on 10-9-2015, there was a rejuvenation camp for the senior citizens - above 60 years - of the Parish.

Two well trained ladies ran the show.

        After a lot of fun and frolic, a brief speech - that lasted for 3 minutes - wanted the senior citizens not to obey others or think of the past losses. The speech described this as the secret of happiness.

        The presentation was a very effective one.

        A dinner was arranged by the church authorities.

        The senior citizens were very happy.