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Chitradurga, December 7, 2023: Diocese of Shimoga was blessed today with New Church and presbytery at Ashoka Siddhapura, Molakalmuru Taluku, Chitradurga District. Blessing and Inauguration took place on December 6th 10:30am.

His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao Sj, Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga was received by the parishioners at 10am. Then the people welcomed Bishop to their village with traditional way.

At 10:30am Bishop Francis Serrao SJ led the prayer near the newly built presbytery. Monsignor Jayanathan, VG of Archdiocese of Bangalore opened the house by cutting the ribbon. Then Bishop Francis Serrao SJ blessed the new house. Priests, Religious and big number of faithful of Holy Family Deanery as well as parishioners witnessed the event.

At 10:45am Inauguration and blessing of the new Church was held. Everyone gathered at the entrance of the Church. Bishop Francis Serrao SJ initiated the opening prayer. Then donors of the Church Mr. John Joseph and Mrs. Joyce Joseph from Mumbai opened the church by cutting the ribbon.

Together with Bishop, priests and religious faithful entered the new Church. Bishop Francis Serrao SJ led the Holy Eucharist. During the Holy Eucharist he blessed the Cross and Lector stand by receiving the Word of God. In his homily Bishop Francis Serrao SJ stressed the importance of Worship unto God in the Holy Place like Church and he said that much more than any structure heart is more important. We have to worship in the Spirit and Truth as mentioned by the Lord in the John Chapter 4, to samaritan woman. Structure reminds the Presence of Almighty God and the salvation he brought to us through his son Jesus Christ.

After the homily he anointed the Altar with oil and offered the sacrifice. After the Communion Bishop blesses the tabernacle and handed over the key as the Mission Centre Director Fr Stany D'Cunha.

After the Holy Eucharist Bishop felicitated the main donors, Monsignor and Mission Centre Director. Bishop thanked God for his merciful love upon the Diocese of Shimoga. He thanked everyone who contributed to complete the project.

Mission Centre Director Fr Stany D'Cunha welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. He also felicitated all the important people who helped in completing the project

Sr. Sheela Miranda, Superior of the Convent thanked all.

Fr Lawrence D'Souza was the MC for the liturgy and Fr Santhosh Pereira was the Mc for the program. Food was served for all

Shimoga Diocese comprises of three civil districts, namely; Shivamogga, Davanagere and Chitradurga. It consists of 19000 catholics. Diocese reaching out to the poor, marginalized and downtrodden through its Pastoral ministry, education ministry, health ministry and social Work ministry. Dedicated Priests and religious together with Bishop serving selflessly to uplift the needy in the Diocese.