April 13, 2025: The faithful of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, gathered in large numbers to commemorate Palm Sunday, marking the solemn beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar.

The celebration began with the blessing of palms near Msgr. Hilary Rangamantap, where the congregation assembled with palm fronds in hand, symbolizing the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Following the blessing, a reverent procession took place to the church premises, reflecting the spirit of unity and devotion among the parishioners.

The Holy Eucharistic Celebration was solemnly led by the main celebrant, V. Rev. Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church. He was joined at the altar by Fr. Rolwyn Aranha, Fr. Ronson Pinto, and Fr. Anil Rodrigues, who concelebrated the Mass with deep spiritual fervor.

In his homily, Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza reflected on the significance of Palm Sunday and invited the faithful to journey through the Holy Week with prayerful hearts, recalling the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Palm Sunday at Shirva Church was a meaningful spiritual experience for all, setting the tone for the holy days to follow.

December 24, 2024: Christmas Eve celebration. Rev. Fr. Valerian Pinto, Former Parish Priest of Shirva was the main celebrant.

 

Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva Parish, extends a warm welcome to Rev. Fr. Anil Rodrigues as the new Assistant Parish Priest. Fr. Anil hails from the Karwar Diocese.

On September 8, 2024, Shirva Parish celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary with traditional rituals and deep devotion. The celebration commenced at Msgr. Hilary Rangamantap with the blessing of newly grown paddy, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest and blessings received throughout the year. Parishioners, young and old, gathered to offer flowers to Mother Mary, honoring her in a beautiful floral tribute. Following the offerings, a solemn procession led the faithful into the church.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by V. Rev. Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, along with Rev. Fr. Rolwyn Aranha and Rev. Fr. Ronson Pinto. Their spiritually uplifting sermons inspired the congregation to reflect on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the significance of her nativity. The atmosphere was filled with faith and reverence as the community came together in prayer.

After the mass, the blessed paddy was distributed to all the parishioners as a symbol of thanksgiving and prosperity. In keeping with the tradition, sugarcane was distributed to the children, bringing joy and adding a festive touch to the event.

The Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary was marked by unity, faith, and joy, bringing together the parish community to celebrate this special occasion.

On September 1, 2024, ICYM Shirva organized a vibrant and engaging outdoor fun games event for all the parishioners of Shirva, in celebration of the Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary. The games were conducted on a zone-wise basis, with each zone comprising four wards. A total of 8 zones were formed, representing all 33 wards of the Shirva Parish. The event fostered community spirit and provided an opportunity for parishioners to come together in a joyful and competitive atmosphere.