The annual feast of St. Lawrence Shrine at Attur near Karkala will be celebrated from January 25 to 29.
Addressing presspersons here on Friday, George D’Souza, Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine, said that the Celebrations would begin on Sunday with the Confraternity Sunday Holy Eucharist at 7.30 a.m. which will culminate with the Eucharistic procession.
A special Eucharistic celebration would be held for children at 10 a.m., while a holy mass for the elderly at 3.30 p.m. Vehicles would be permitted to go close to the church to enable the elders to participate in the special mass.
As many as 39 masses would be offered during the festival. There would be masses in Konkani, Kannada, English and Malayalam languages. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Aloysius Paul D’Souza Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shivamogga and Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Beltangady, will offer the prime mass.
More space had been created on the Eastern side of the shrine for the convenience of devotees so that they could offer their prayers, petitions, and light candles without any hassles. The sacrament of confession for the Catholics would be administrated on the Western side of the shrine in the newly constructed block. The old church will be available only for quiet personal prayers and meditation.
SECURITY
Apart from round-the-clock police security, a team of reserve police and a bomb disposal squad will be stationed near the shrine. As many as 48 CCTV cameras had already been installed at the venue and 16 more CCTV cameras would be installed.
All roads leading to the shrine have been asphalted. Ample space had been created for parking four-wheeler and two-wheeler vehicles. To avoid traffic snarls, vehicles will exit via Pulkeria-Doopadakatte. Those who come from Doopadakatte would have to park their vehicles on the left of the Gate near Doopadakatte and on the left and right side before Garden House.
Those who enter from Kabettu, should park their vehicles at on the high school grounds at Prasad Tailor Junction. The contribution made by devotees for charity will be distributed to the needy at 12 noon along with lunch on January 30.
The special attraction for this year’s festival is the “Tala Maddale” programme based on Bible called “Mahachethana,” which will be held at 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
Denis D’Sa, Goerge Castelino Nakre, Richard Pinto, Santhosh D’Silva, office bearers of Organising Committee, were present.
