Sunderland : The second feast of the first saint of India- Saint Alphonsa was celebrated with grandeur and reverence at St Joseph's Church in Sunderland. The three and a half hour programme began with a song in veneration of the saint where the Sunderland girls displayed their dancing skills with lit candles followed by the Holy Mass in Malayalam. The Mass was led by Fr Thomas Parayadiyil (Co-ordinating Pastor of Syro Malabar Churches in London).

In his homily, Vicar General of RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle Monsignor Gerard Lavender stressed on the need to wash our hands and reminded the gathering of the significance of doing that at a time when swine flu is affecting many of us. Reflecting on the life of Saint Alphonsa he said that she is venerated as a paragon of virtues of patience and silent suffering. She had a firm conviction of the ultimate triumph of resignation to God’s will and her tremendous faith in the redeeming value of suffering, physical or mental, endured on behalf of Christ. Monsignor Lavender also told the gathering that in many ways Saint Alphonsa's life was similar to that of St Therese of Lisieux. St Alphonsa had a clear realization of the sufferings of Christ and longed to identify herself with Jesus,he concluded.

As is traditional, apart from bread and wine the offertory gifts presented included ornaments, fruit and vegetable, writing and drawing materials, Bible,nursing and first aid kit and a replica of the globe besides other things.

Despite rain playing spoilsport,around-the-street procession took place peacefully with Fr Robert Sahayaraj carrying the Relics of St Alphonsa and was followed by men carrying a statue of the saint.While men and women carried big colourful umbrellas and flags the celebrations touched a new high to the tune of drums(chendakottu) which was thoroughly enjoyed by the malayalee participants and nearby residents who popped out of their house to witness it first hand.

Later everyone paid their respect to the Relics of St Alphonsa by kissing and bowing with reverence.Raju welcomed the guests and Fr Saji Thottathil proposed the vote of thanks.The programme ended with a spectacular array of colourful fireworks.