NT NETWORK
CANACONA
To celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier at Bhatpal, Canacona, final touches are being given for the preparations. The church has been painted and decorated while a huge pandal will be erected in front of the church, to celebrate the feast masses, on December 3, informed parish priest Fr Francisco Almeida.
The relic of the saint will be venerated by the faithful from all walks of life for nine days starting November 24, the first day of the novena for the feast, till 6 pm on the feast day.
The parish has a total of 13 wards as per the decree issued by His Excellency Bishop Rebello in 1968, when the chapel was elevated to a church. The first parish priest was Fr Caetano Afonso. The Blessing of the Banner (Maddi) will be held on November 23 with a Eucharistic celebration to be held at 4.30 pm, informed Fr Avito.
The novenas for the feast will start from November 24. During the novenas the morning mass will be at 8 am and the evening mass preceded by Rosary and followed by salve will start at 4.45 pm. The novenas will be preached by various priests from the churches of Canacona taluka.
The solemn High mass will be offered on the feast day by Fr Keneth Telis, director Family Service Centre, Margao, who will also preach the homily during the mass at 10 am, while the other feast masses will be at 6.30 am and 8 am.
On the feast day, in aid of the church, a Konkani drama, “Goy Konn sambhalltolo by Mario Menezes will be staged in the church square at 7.30 pm.
, while on the second day of the feast (December 4) another Konkani drama ‘Mafi Magtam’ by comedian Dominic will be staged at the church square at 7.30 pm.