St Patrick’s Church Concludes 175th year Jubilee Celebrations

Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras of Bengaluru Archdiocese presided over a solemn and con-celebrated Eucharist to mark the culmination of year-long 175th jubilee of St. Patrick’s Church in Bengaluru on August 13 (Sunday).

In his homily, Archbishop Moras urged the faithful to render service to the people as service to Church is service to people of God. He said we have a beautiful church build 175 years ago for the people of God to receive blessings from Him. All the people, of the parish, those in the city and those from outside who visited the church received blessings and salvation through this church. God worked for the good of all through the church. The number of those received communion – the body and blood of Christ- is innumerable which nourished their spiritual life. The number of those received sacraments is countless. Besides, in this chapel (church), very large number of people commended their spirit in the hands of God to receive eternal reward for their services. All those people, also people of other religions, who prayed in this church, were received in His bosom

Archbishop Moras who turned 76 on August 10 reminded the congregation that the reason for ‘our being present today is because of the blessings each one received. What Jesus began 2000 years ago should continue. What Jesus had entrusted Peter goes on. The jubilee celebrations should remind everyone that service of the Church is indeed service of the people. Dr Moras exhorted all present to build  a community of Church today in a special way. This is nothing but communion of the faithful. However, it is not a structure, but a living community church. Archdiocese of Bangalore has built a living Church to give life to others and not to ourselves. One should witness the glory of Christ through the services to humanity.

Referring to the day’s readings, he said we see Peter jumping into the water to meet Jesus. In the context, Dr Moras narrated a story of a child caught up in a multi-storied building which caught fire. One could see people rushing out. One child was left out alone in the smock and darkness. There was a cry from the balcony of the building. The father of the child asked him to jump out. The child told him that he could not see him. The father said , “ I can see you, just jump”. The child jumped from the 5^th floor and he was saved.

Today, we are like Peter. Peter said” Lord, if it is you…I shall come walking over water. Peter at first thought it was a ghost. However, he could recognize the words of Jesus. Many a time, we ask God in our problems, trials and difficulties, why the happen. But we should know God allows them to happen. Nothing happens haphazardly. Peter began to sink. Jesus asked him what happened to his faith. Jesus helps him out stretching out his hand. Archbishop Moras emphatically said every faithful Christian and Catholic should trust the Lord. “The Lord will never, ever ’let us down.” If Jesus is not there in our lives, in our families, we are sure to sink Peter and friends were crossing and sinking.

Concluding his message on the occasion, Archbishop said, ‘during the 175^th year of this church we shall profess our faith in our joys and sorrows.’

Among others present for the con-celebration included Archbishop Robert Le Gall of Toulouse of France, Fr Bonal Henri, Regional Provincial of MEP in India, Msgr C Francis, Vicar General and Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Church.

During a felicitation function soon after the Eucharist, St. Patrick’s Coffee Table Book to mark the 175 years milestone of the Church was launched. Also a souvenir was released on the occasion. In his welcome address, Msgr C Francis presented a brief history of the parish. He said St. Patrick’s Church, Bengaluru has completed 175 glorious years. To celebrate this milestone, a Coffee Table Book is to be launched, which unfolds the story of this dynamic Church (formerly a Cathedral): how it came into existence, the struggle of its founder Fathers and the vibrant Parish it is today.

This multi-coloured book of about 148 pages captures the history of St. Patrick’s in all its uniqueness: right from the Grant of Land, the initial construction of the Church, its subsequent expansion and the architectural marvel that it presents today in the heart of central Bengaluru. You will also come to know of interesting historical details about the growth of this vibrant parish over the ages. The Coffee Table Book chronicles the origins and growth of the Catholic Church in Bangalore. It showcases rare photographs and contains detailed historical information that provides an excellent insight into everyday life in those early times. The team that worked hard for the Book includes Col. Christopher Rego (Retd.), Pramodh Naidu, Marianne De Nazareth, Ryan Lobo & Gregory De Nazareth.

While launching the coffee Table Book, Archbishop Moras lauded Msgr C Francis and his team’s efforts and thanked him and his collaborators. He thanked all concerned on his personal behalf, on behalf of all people of the archdiocese and all the priests. Dr Moras also honoured Msgr C Francis, parish priest and Msgr S Jayanathan, Vicar General and former parish priest. Archbishop also made a mention of the shifting of the cathedral to the present location and change of name to St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.  He said the services rendered are more beautiful than the church itself. The service St Patrick’s Church renders reflects what the Church does in the State as a whole. This institution (St Patrick’s) has grown a toll one.

Those present on the occasion included Dominic Mc Allister, British Deputy High Commissioner, Francois Gautur, Consul General of France, Ms Claudia Brueske, Deputy Consul General of Republic of Germany, Blaz Strasser, Consul General of Switzerland, Kamal Pande, DGP, Polic Administration and Charles Lobo Post Master General of Karnataka. All special invitees and guests were presented with shawls and garlands.

Coffee Table Book, autographed by Archbishop Moras, was auctioned for Rs 125,000. The highest bidder was Francis PintoThe bidding began with 50,000.

Archbishop Robert Le Gall from France released a souvenir on the occasion. Gregory De Nazareth presented a slide show with rare photos of the past and elaborated the content. Col. Christopher Rego spoke on the background of the Coffee Table Book and about the contributors. Fernandez spoke of the outreach programme of St Patrick’s at Kadisenahalli. Fr. Joseph, the parish priest, presented the prevailing situation at present.

Students of Good Shepherd and youth of St Patrick’s performed dances. Mark Rego compered the function in which a large people attended. Prizes were distributed for bible quiz conducted earlier. Wilma Pinto, secretary, parish council, proposed a vote of thanks.

Most important: the sales proceeds of the Coffee Table Book will go towards the Village Adoption Program of St. Patrick’s Parish. The chosen village parish of Kadisenahalli is 90km from Bengaluru. There is a 350 year old Church here and a Parish school with 216 children up to the 7th standard. The village faces an acute shortage of water with its borewells having gone dry. As part of the Village Adoption Program, we will bring in professionals from relevant fields, to train the residents in efficient water management practices, as well as to provide them with soft skills and job oriented training, and enhance sericulture development. We also plan to introduce English in the school curriculum.

For any further details kindly contact: The Parish Office, #15K, Brigade Road, Bengaluru 560 025. INDIA E: st.patricksblr@gmail.com, gregdenazareth@gmail.com, T: +91 80415 11044, 9845044179

“I am grateful to our parishioners and the professionals who have researched volumes to write and produce this Coffee Table Book of such high quality. This team includes Col. Christopher Rego (Retd.), Pramodh Naidu, Marianne De Nazareth, Ryan Lobo & Gregory De Nazareth.”

The foundation for the construction of the church was laid in July 1841. The church was dedicated after the construction to the honour of the blessed trinity, under the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Archangel and was dedicated to as the “Church of the Assumption”. However, even before it was completed, it came to be known as ST. Patrick’s Church, due to its popularity with Irish troops stationed in the vicinity. Fr. JaJacques Henry Gailhot was the first parish priest of the church. He was then the Roman Catholic Chaplain for the British troops. The church was part of Mysore diocese and bishop Charbonnaux of Mysore made it his Cathedral in 1845.

In 1891, Fr M Taband became the parish priest. He opened the school and orphanage and began re-building the church between 1894 and 1899, adding among other things, a pair of steeples. The church was consecrated as the cathedral of the Mysore diocese on Nobember 12,, 1899 by Bishop Kleiner. During the 3rd Eucharistic Congress, some bishops were consecrated here on October 28, 1922.

In 1940, Bangalore was erected as a separate diocese and St Francis Xavier’s became the Cathedral. The church was further renovated twice in 2000 and 2012. Among the 17 parish priests who served the church, the recent ones include Fr. Francis Xavier, MSGR S Jayanathan, Fr. Sagayanathan and Msgr C Francis who is the present parish priest and also Vicar General.

The chief guest, all bishops, some of the past parish priests and the present one were presented with shawls, garlands and gifts. N AHaris, Local MLA and local Corporator were also honoured on the occasion.