Attur Karkala: The nine days Novena to the honour of St Lawrence inaugurated by Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar and announced 3 lane approach road already sanction. As the project is big ,if the incompletion may hurdle the easy movements on road at feast days; so the execution will be made after the feast; He clarified. He declared the completion of new toilet block and a 75 lakh project of concrete parking place.

Joylus Dsouza, president of Karnataka Christian development said ,youth should take initiatives at present leadership and make a change at the scenario. Attur Basilica is a blessed place where all people are gathered irrespective of religion .

 Fr Gregore D’Souza, Rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica,conducted St Sebestian novena after Sunday mass and lead a procession till the original statue of St Lawrence and blessed the gathering  as the mark of traditional launch of nine days novena.   Fr Stephen D’Souza, director, Literacy Commission, diocese of Udupi, Reshma Uday Shetty, Udupi zilla panchayat member, Harishchandra, Karkala taluk panchayat member, Saritha Poojary, Nitte gram panchayat president, Gopal Shetty, vice president, Antony D’Souza, former APMC president, and John D’Silva, Attur Shrine church vice president, and committee in charge Santhosh D’silva were present.

Fr Melwyn Roy Lobo, assistant priest, St Lawrence Basilica, Attur welcomed , Leena D'silva, secretary, parish pastoral council, Attur shrine, proposed the vote of thanks and Melwyn Castelino compered .

Feast days

The feast which will begin on January 26 will have 46 masses in Konkani and Kannada language.


On Sunday, January 26, special prayers will be held for children and Mangalore diocese bishop emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will be preside over the special mass at 6.30 pm.

On Monday, January 27, special prayers for sick, elders will be conducted and Dr T Antonyswami, bishop, diocese of Chikkamagaluru will preside over the special mass at 6:00 pm. On this day, if any sick and elderly people want confession and communion, special arrangements will be made to attend people near their vehicle itself. First two days of the feast, vehicle can be taken to the church grounds.


On Tuesday, January 28, 10:30 am, Dr Gevargese Mar Makariyose Kulayil, bishop of Puttur diocese, will preside over Konkani Mass and Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of Shimoga diocese, will preside over the festive Mass in Kannada at 6:00 pm.

On Wednesday, January 29, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will preside over the festival mass at 10.30 pm and in the evening at 5.30 pm. 

Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady will be preside over Mass in Kannada.