St Sebastian Parish, Bendur held “Novem Jevann” (new meal) on the occasion of the feast of Nativity in St Sebastian Jubilee hall, here on September 8.

The programme began with an invocation.  Fr Paul Crasta welcomed the gathering.  Scholarships for Merit students from Fr Peter Noronha Jubilee Education Trust were also disbursed to the poor deserving students to pursue higher studies by the Principal of Padua Institutions Fr Michael Santhumayor.

The Bendur parish website www.bendurchurch.org was launched by Fr Antony Serrao. Addressing the gathering Fr Serrao said, “In the parish there are many youth who are not aware about what activities are going on in the church.  The parish has been organizing various competitions for the parishioners to encourage them to bring out their talents but the response from the parish youth has been very seldom, who don’t want to take part in such activities or competitions.

While concluding he said, “A parish means one family and all the parishioners are the members of the family and it is our duty to take care of every member of the family.” Further he informed that the parish had started an Educational Trust to help the Parishioners who are willing to pursue higher education and need financial help. “The educational trust is always ready to help the needy students to pursue higher education, we need to start a Jubilee Medical Fund too which will help the parishioners.” he said.

“Novem Jevann” (Payasam mixed with the blessed new corn) was distributed to all the gathering.   A cultural programme was presented by the youth of Bendur.  A short rib-tickling comedy  skit was performed by the artistes of the parish.