The inauguration of the newly constructed St. Jude’s Church in Udayarkaddu Parish took place on June 7.
Organized by Rev. Fr. Alvin, the parish priest, the celebration began with a grand procession from the main road to the church, led by a newly formed band comprising students from St. Jude’s Catechetical School — the first student-initiated band in the Jaffna Diocese.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Jaffna, was escorted to the church, accompanied by priests and parishioners. The Bishop then blessed and officially opened the beautifully designed new church and presided over the Holy Mass attended by a large number of faithful.
St. Jude’s Church holds deep historical significance, having served as a shelter during the war years of 2008 and 2009, when the Vanni Hudec organization operated temporarily within its premises. On January 30, 2009, the Caritas Vanni Hudec was destroyed in a multi-barrel rocket attack by the Sri Lankan Army.
