The Eucharistic Celebration commenced at 6:00 p.m., with Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Mysore, as the principal celebrant. He was joined at the altar by Rev. Fr. Basil Vas, Parish Priest and Shrine Rector; Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium School; along with several priests from neighbouring parishes and the Bondel Deanery, who concelebrated the Holy Mass in a spirit of thanksgiving and praise.

In his homily, Bishop Francis Serrao reflected on Jesus’ command, “As I have loved you, you also should love one another.” He reminded the faithful that Jesus expressed love through service, healing, forgiveness and sacrifice. Though He was King, He lived as a servant and gave His life for others. Love is not merely a feeling; it is a decision to serve, forgive and sacrifice

Reflecting on agape love, Bishop Serrao described it as a love that gives completely and selflessly. He said St. Lawrence lived this love by giving everything to the poor, whom he recognized as the true treasures of the Church. He urged the faithful to give not merely what is left over, but with a generous and wholehearted spirit..

Bishop urged the faithful to make love a daily choice—to serve, give, forgive and live for others, following Jesus and St. Lawrence. “Like St. Lawrence, let us love and serve,” he encouraged, calling for generous and selfless love.

The Bondel Parish Children’s Choir prayerfully led the Eucharistic Celebration, enriching the liturgy with melodious hymns that lifted the hearts of the faithful in worship.

Feast Message by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao :St Lawrence is not only our patron but also a model of how to live and how to die for Christ. He urged everyone to give generously, assuring them that whatever is given to Jesus is never lost; God blesses and returns it abundantly.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Rev. Fr Basil Vas, Parish Priest and Shrine Rector, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Francis Serrao for graciously presiding over the closing celebration. He also thanked all the priests who concelebrated the Holy Mass throughout the novena and feast, the religious, parishioners, volunteers, benefactors, donors, choir members, liturgy teams, commissions, associations, youth, media personnel, civil authorities, and every individual whose generous service and dedication contributed to the successful celebration of the Annual Feast.

A deeply symbolic moment of the evening was the lowering of the Feast Flag, which had been hoisted on August 1 to mark the beginning of the novena. The ceremony signified the formal conclusion of the Annual Feast and was carried out by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Rev. Fr Basil Vas, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, , together with several priests from the city and neighbouring parishes.

The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of ; Mr John D’Silva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mr Alwyn Saldanha , Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mrs Avitha Mascarenhas , All Commission Coordinator, Mr Jason Fernandes, Convener of the Shrine Committee; along with parishioners, pilgrims, and devotees from different parts of the region.

The presence of the clergy, dignitaries, parishioners and countless pilgrims added to the spiritual beauty and solemnity of the occasion. As the feast flag was lowered and the celebration came to a close, the faithful departed with hearts renewed in faith and inspired to love and serve in the spirit of St Lawrence, carrying forward his example of courage, generosity and faithful service in their daily lives.

Report :Meena Serrao Barboza

Photography :Stanley Bantwal