A large number of faithful took part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of The Lady of Immaculate Conception Church at Urwa here last evening.
The grand celebrations began with the inauguration and blessing of the newly-built belfry and the grotto by Mangaluru diocese Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza, followed by a Eucharistic mass.
Addressing the gathering after the mass, the Bishop congratulated the parish priest Victor D'Mello for organising the event. He also commended the services of sisters, the faithful and all those who served the Church in the last 150 years.
Bishop of Ajmer Dr Pius Thomas D'Souza, who was also present, said Christians should be cautious about the attacks on the community of late. Criticising movements like 'Ghar wapsi,' he said Christianity was their house.
"We will not leave this house. We always have to keep our belief in Mother Mary and Jesus Christ," he said.
The church, started in 1865, has seen 39 parish priests and 39 assistant parish priests in the past 150 years. The church now caters to the religious needs of 640 Christian families.
Some families that were part of the Urwa parish got attached to the Bejai parish in 1912. The parish was later reorganized ion with the setting up of Derebail parish in 1939 and the Ashok Nagar parish in 1971.
