Our Lady of Assumption Church Hiriyur Chitradurga district Diocese of Shimoga Karnataka celebrated its annual feast on 18th August 2022.
Preparations for the feast began with three days renewal retreat from August 12 to 14, 2022 preached by Rev. Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Kable and Bro. William D'Souza, musician of Yesusparsha team.
On 15th August at 6 pm Rev. Fr Duming Dias, Director of "Sannidhi", Centre for Pastoral Renewal, Diocese of Shimoga and Rev. Fr Robert D'Mello, Parish Priest of St. Sebastian Church, Soraba, Shimoga, hoisted the flag of Our Lady of Assumption and officially started the Triduum. Fr Duming Dias celebrated the Holy Eucharist and Fr Robert D'Mello preached the homily on "Mary, Mother of Hope"(bharvasheya taayi merimaate).
Rev. Fr Franklin D'Souza Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Nelson D'Souza, Assistant Parish Priest, Mrs. Rani Victoria Parish Council Secretary and Mrs. Maria Olivera Parish Finance Council Secretary honoured both silver jubilarian priests; Rev. Fr Duming Dias and Rev. Fr Robert D'Mello on behalf of the Parish.
On 16th August at 6 pm Rev. Fr Edward David, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Tumkur celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached the homily on "Mary, Mother of Patience". (Sahaneya taayi merimaate). On 17th August at 6 pm Mary Road Chariot was taken to thank Our Lady of Assumption by the Assumption ICYM youth as is the tradition of the Parish.
Then at 7:30 pm Rev. Fr Clarence Dias, Parish Priest of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached the homily on "Mary, Mother of Self Confidence ". (Aatmavishwasada Tayi Meri Maate).
On 18th at 9:30 am Parishioners received Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao SJ, the Bishop of Shimoga at Hospital Circle, Hiriyur and brought him to the Church in procession accompanied by professional band.
At 10 am Bishop Francis Serrao SJ Presided over the festal Holy Eucharist along with 18 priests concelebrating it. Among them were Rev. Fr K. A. George Dean of Holy Family Deanery, Rev. Fr Stany D'Souza Dean of Mount Carmel Deanery and Rev. Fr Anthony Peter Dean of Little Flower Deanery.
A big number of faithful and religious witnessed the thanks giving Holy Eucharist. In his homily Bishop spoke on "Mary, the Mother of our families". (Kutumbagala taayi merimaate). He invited faithful to take her as their role model. Rev. Fr Nelson D'Souza led the choir. At the end the Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza thanked everyone, honoured the donors and every SCC unit with blessed candles were.
Evening at 6 o'clock there was a chariot procession as the culmination of the Church feast. Rev. Fr Richard Pais, Director of the KROSS and Rev. Fr Francis Assisi Almeida, Regional Secretary for Education were the guests.
Holy Family Deanery Rev. Fr K.A. George and Rev. Fr Alphonse Lobo were also present. Rev. Fr Richard Pais blessed the three chariots, namely, of St. Sebastian, St. Anthony and main Chariot of Our Lady of Assumption. Procession began at 7 pm. Hundreds of faithful and other people devoutly witnessed the mega event of procession. It took almost two and half hours.
After the procession Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza led the thanks giving adoration and gave the Benediction. From last two years due to COVID 19 Parish couldn't celebrate the feast. This year Parish celebrated it meaningfully as well as in a grand manner.
