Newly Ordained Fr. Roy Lobo offers First Thanksgiving Mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 06 May 2017: Fr. Roy Lobo who was ordained a priest by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo on 4 May 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar offered his first Thanksgiving Mass at St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, 6 May 2017 at 10 am. A large number of priests, parents of Fr. Roy-Mark and Mrs. Lavina Lobo, brother Joy, family members, relatives, parishioners from Pangla and other places where he had served as well as a large number of Moodubelle parishioners were present for the Thanksgiving Mass concelebrated by Fr. Roy Lobo as the chief celebrant along with other priests.

In his homily, Dr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura(Pangla) where Fr. Roy had served as the Deacon prior to his ordination, said that in modern world when people are obsessed with power, authority and glamour, it is difficult to find youngsters who would offer themselves to be priests. However, God has his own way to call people to His service. He referred to God’s call to Abraham, Moses and other prophets to carry on His mission. Similarly, God calls young people to be His priests and fills them with strength and courage to carry out His mission through them.  The priest enables the grace of God to flow through him to the people under his care. The priest distributes happiness to the people. He should not seek comfort zone but respond to the needs of the people.

 

The liturgy of the First Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Roy Lobo was animated by the members of his family. The choir, ably trained by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish priest of Moodubelle elevated the spiritual aura of the mass through its melodious singing of hymns.

 

Soon after the Thanksgiving Mass, felicitation function was organized in the specially arranged pandal in front of the church.

 

The felicitation programme commenced with the welcome dance beautifully presented by the members of the ICYM Unit of Moodubelle.

 

The compere of the programme, Fr. Peter Gonsalves, Assistant Director of St. Antony’s Charitable Organization, Mangalore called upon Fr. Roy Lobo, his  parents-Mark and Mrs. Lavina Lobo and other dignitaries to the dais including Fr. Valerian D’Souza and Fr. Joswey Fernandes-former Parish Priests of Moodubelle, Fr. Clement Mascaarenhas-present Parish Priest, Fr. Lawrence Mascarenhas-former Assistant Parish Priest of Moodubelle and presently parish priest of Madanthyar, Dr. Leslie D’Souza-Parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura (Pangla), Fr. Vincent Coelho-Principal of St. Johns Junior College, Shankerpura, Vincent Fernandes-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Latha D’Mello-Secretary and Joy Lobo-brother of Fr. Roy Lobo.

 

Following the welcome address by Joy Lobo, Fr. Roy Lobo cut the cake along with his parents.

 

 

Delivering the felicitation oration, Fr. Lawrence Mascarenhas said that Moodubelle was known as the ‘cradle of vocations’ and traced the vocation of Fr. Roy Lobo when he was serving as the Assistant Parish Priest in Moodubelle between 1999 to 2001 when the twins-Roy and Joy were studying in sixth standard. Fr. Lawrence narrated his acquaintance with Roy’s devout  family. He cited the finer qualities of Fr. Roy Lobo and also pointed out the things required to become a successful priest. He stressed upon three’S’s-Surrender to the will of God; Sacrifice; and Service. He also advised Fr. Roy to accept the life as it comes. Further, Fr. Lawrence said that one should carry less luggage for more comfort; have less attachment for more freedom; and less expectation or ambition so that one would have less disappointments.

 

Next, the parents-Mark and Mrs. Lavina Lobo felicitated  their son by offering him a floral garland.

 

In his felicitation message, Fr. Valerian D’Souza  narrated the fact that while he was the Parish priest of Moodubelle, he had set his eyes on three youngsters with potential vocation and Fr. Roy was one of them. He nurtured this vocation and saw to it that he would join the seminary and since then had been his guide and mentor. He congratulated  and wished well to Fr. Roy Lobo in his future mission work.

 

On behalf of the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Shankerpura (Pangla) where Fr. Roy Lobo had served as the Deacon. Dr. Leslie D’Souza congratulated him and wished him well. Along with Fr. Vincent Coelho and Vice President and Secretary of Pangla Parish Pastoral Council  he honoured Fr. Roy Lobo with shawl and Jasmine flower garland.

 

The family members of Fr. Roy Lobo presented a felicitation song.

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Vincent Fernandes and Mrs. Latha D’mello felicitated Fr. Roy Lobo by offering him garlands of flowers on behalf of the parishioners of Moodubelle.

 

The ICYM and YCS groups also felicitated Fr. Roy Lobo by offering him a flower bouquet.

 

In an emotion filled thanksgiving oration, Fr. Roy Lobo thanked his parents and brother, remembered his grandparents, expressed gratitude to his uncles, aunties, cousins and relatives. He also expressed thanks and gratitude to the parish priests and assistant parish priests of Moodubelle, Rectors, professors and spiritual guides in seminary, colleagues, benefactors and well wishers as well as all those who had helped him throughout his training for priesthood, those parishes where he did his Regency and those parishes where he had served during his training in Theology. These parishes include Naravi, Mudipu, Miyar, Kalamdy, Tallur and Basrur and eventually as Deacon at Pangla. Fr. Roy offered flowers bouquets to all those whom he thanked and who were present during the felicitation  function.

 

After the thanksgiving oration by Fr. Roy Lobo, Fr. Vincent Coelho recited the grace before the meal.

 

Both Non-vegetarian and vegetarian lunch was served for all those who were present for the First Thanksgiving Mass and felicitation programme.

 

The lunch was prepared by Best Caterers of Moodueblle with the help and cooperation from the ICYM and YCS members, and men and women volunteers from different wards of the Parish ably guided by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Vincent Fernandes and Mrs. Latha D’Mello.