Mangaluru: St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary observes Benefactors’ Day; express gratitude
By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network
Mangaluru, 19 Nov: St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, here organized the first-ever Benefactors’ Day on Monday, November 18, to get acquainted with the Benefactors and thank Almighty God for their support and well being.
Around 230 benefactors from far and near participated in the programme.
The event began with a warm reception of the guests at the entrance followed by a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at 11.00am.
It was presided by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangaluru and the chairman of the Board of Administration of the Seminary, along with Bishop Emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Fr Ronald Serrao, the Rector, the Seminary staff, Benefactors and 167 seminarians.
After the Holy Mass, Fr Ronald Serrao, addressed the gathering in which he expressed the gratitude of the Seminary to the benefactors for their generosity in helping the Church to train the future priests for 36 dioceses and 6 religious congregations of the country. He gratefully acknowledged their sacrifices for the seminary so that it could run it smoothly with fewer burdens.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul then verbalized his sentiments of gratitude towards all, the benefactors and formatters, for their sincere silent work for the spread of the Gospel. he pointed out that the sacrifice of many benefactors, both in abroad and here, makes the Church to carry on the mission entrusted to her by her founder, Jesus Christ.
Thereafter, all moved to the Centenary Memorial Hall for a modest meal. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, prayed the grace before meal and the seminarians served the food for the guests. The guests, then, went around the campus, visited the library, museum, play grounds and marvelled at the beauty of Seminary premises.