Wadi, July 26, 2026: The faithful of St. Ann Church, Wadi, celebrated a historic and joyful occasion with the Blessing and Inauguration of the Renovated St. Ann Church, together with the Feast of St. Ann, Patroness of the Parish. The solemn celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga. Bishop Robert Miranda was accorded a grand and traditional welcome with a band and cultural dance at the entrance of the church. Parishioners, children, youth, religious sisters and members of the Parish Pastoral Council warmly received the Bishop and accompanied him in a festive procession.
The celebration began with the Novena Prayer to St. Ann in front of the church. This was followed by the unveiling of the commemorative plaque. On the occasion, Bishop Miranda gratefully remembered the timely and generous assistance of Mr. Michael D’Souza and Family, whose support played an important role in bringing the renovation work to completion. The Bishop, together with the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), formally inaugurated the renovated church. He then proceeded with the solemn blessing of the church, followed by the dedication of the altar and the Tabernacle, setting apart the renewed sacred space for divine worship and the spiritual nourishment of the faithful.
In a meaningful gesture, Bishop Robert Miranda handed over the key of the renovated church to Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Parish Priest, entrusting him with the pastoral responsibility of caring for the church and faithfully serving the parish community. During the thanksgiving programme, Fr. Roshan D’Souza expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Robert Miranda for his constant guidance, encouragement and permission to undertake the renovation. He also thanked the Parish Pastoral Council, religious sisters, parishioners, benefactors, donors, engineers, workers and all those who contributed in different ways.
Special gratitude was expressed to Mr. Michael D’Souza and Family. Fr. Roshan recalled that when the available Minority Department funds were exhausted and additional financial support was required to complete the renovation, the timely generosity of Mr. Michael D’Souza made it possible to bring the work to its successful completion. The benefactors and those who rendered significant service to the renovation project were also felicitated and honoured as a sign of the parish community’s gratitude. The celebration concluded in a spirit of thanksgiving and fellowship. A fellowship meal was served to all the faithful and guests, making the occasion a true celebration of faith, gratitude and communion. The renovated St. Ann Church now stands as a beautiful testimony to God’s providence, the intercession of St. Ann, the generosity of benefactors and the united efforts of the entire parish community.
