Sacerdotal Ruby Jubilee of Fr. George D’Souza celebrated in St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 23 May 2023: The Sacerdotal Ruby Jubilee of Rev. Fr. George Thomas D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle was celebrated on Tuesday, 23 May 2023 with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass and felicitation programme in St. Lawrence Parish Hall.

 

The solemn Thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo, Bishop of the Udupi Diocese along with jubilarian Fr. George D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Fr. Roy Lobo, Fr. John Baptist D’Souza, Fr. Charles Furtado (OFM Cap)-Superior Assisi Nilaya and other Capuchin priests.

 

 

Delivering the homily, Fr. Roy Lobo, native of Moodubelle narrated the evolution of priesthood referring to examples  from the Old Testament and the New Testament. He said that without priest there can be no Eucharist and without Eucharist there can be no church. Hence, priesthood is the cornerstone of the church.  He pointed out two kinds of priesthoods-Common priesthood that refers to all the faithful who have been Baptized and Chosen Ministerial Priesthood to spread the Gospel of Christ. Jesus chose 12 Apostles  who were the first priests anointed by Jesus. Fr. Roy Lobo further said that priesthood is not a profession but a vocation. Priests are like bridges between people and God.

 

 

Following the end of the solemn Thanksgiving Mass, felicitation programme was held in the Parish Hall at 11.45 am presided over by Bishop Jerald Isaac Lobo. Besides Fr. George D’Souza, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Fr. Roy Lobo, Fr. John Baptist D’Souza,  Fr. Charles  Furtado (OFM Cap),  Sr. Irene Viegas-Superior of the Loreto Convent and Pritish D’Sa-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council were on the dais.

 

Following the welcome dance, the felicitation programme commenced with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries on the dais.

 

Charles Quadros-Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council welcomed the dignitaries on the dais. Thereafter, Fr. George D’Souza cut the Jubilee Cake.

 

Pritish D’Sa briefly narrated the family background, vocation and priestly journey of Fr. George D’Souza during the last 40 years, first as assistant parish priest, later as parish priest and manager of Diocesan Coffee estate and Codialbial Press and later as the Rector of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica at Attur-Karkala and presently as the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.

 

Highlighting the qualities of Fr. George D’Souza, Pritish D’Sa said that Fr. George has been known as a man of discipline, straightforward in his talk, a deep thinker and futuristic in his approach, reluctant to place financial burden on the parishioners for the church projects and having strong faith in Divine Grace.

 

On behalf of all the parishioners, Pritish D’Sa felicitated Fr. George D’Souza by offering him a bouquet of flowers.

 

 

The choir of St. Lawrence Parish presented a felicitation song to Fr. Georgte D’Souza on the occasion of his Sacerdotal Ruby Jubilee.

 

The immediate past Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Gerald Fernandes  shared his experience while working with Fr. George D’Souza  during the past 20 months. He greatly valued his association with Fr. George D’Souza and said that he learnt many things from him. He lauded the meticulous planning and execution of various parish projects, especially the renovated parish cemetery where graves have been arranged in an orderly manner for future burials. On behalf of the parishioners he along with the Finance Committee offered a chalice to Fr. George D’Souza and also a flower bouquet.

 

On behalf of the Altar Servers, little Dancy offered poetic and hilarious tribute to Fr. George D’Souza and also a flower bouquet.

 

In his presidential message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo complimented Fr. George on the occasion of the Ruby Jubilee of his Ordination and appreciated the parishioners of Moodubelle for organizing the Thanksgiving Mass and felicitation programme. Speaking further, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo pinpointed some of the rarely known qualities of Fr. George D’Souza. He said that Fr. George is a man of prayer and a man of deep faith. Obedience to his superiors has been a hallmark of Fr. George. He never asked for any convenient or favourable postings, but never complained about difficult and responsible postings. He has been faithful to his vocation of priesthood and have faced hardships and overcome difficulties. Though apparently he seemed to be strict and disciplinarian, he has a soft and loving heart. He has been helpful to anyone in need at any time of the day or night. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo greatly appreciated the meticulous work that has been done by Fr. George in maintaining parish documents and regularizing church lands with proper documentation. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo further said that  Fr. George has been in some of the important committees at eh diocesan level and has been working on some of the important projects such as improving financial stability of the diocese.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo felicitated Fr. George D’Souza by offering him shawl, jasmine flower garland and a flower bouquet.

 

In his reply to the felicitation programme, Fr. George D’Souza  expressed gratitude to his parents for their role in his faith formation and vocation. He recalled his association with his brothers and sisters. He thanked all his teachers, colleagues and people of those parishes where he had served. He also remembered late Bishop Basil S. D’Souza who had ordained him and gave him early assignments. He appreciated the faith that was reposed in him by the former Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza and the present Bishop of Udupi Diocese  Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo. Appreciating the gift of the Chalice given to him, Fr. George said that it was a gift of the parish which he will be leaving behind and thanked the parishioners whom he considered as his family  for their love and affection.

 

 

Mrs. Gracy rebello-Convener of the 20 Commissions proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Maxim D’Sa and Siona D’Souza compered the programme.

 

Fr. Charles Furtado (OFM Cap) recited the grace before the meal followed by chicken biryani lunch for all the participants in the Sacerdotal Ruby Jubilee celebration of Fr. George D’Souza.

 

The entire programme of the Sacerdotal Ruby Jubilee celebration of Fr. George D’Souza was organized by the committee that was headed by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza. The programme was well planned and meticulously organized.

 

About Fr. George D’Souza

Fr. George Thomas D’Souza was born at Kalathur on 6 March 1957 as fourth among nine children of late Cyprian D’Souza and Monthi D’Souza. After completing his secondary education at St. Mary’s School, Shirva, Fr. George joined St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore and was ordained a priest on 19 April 1983. He served as assistant parish priest at Bajpe (1983-85) and Valencia, Mangalore (1985-87). Thereafter he served as Parish Priest at Parapady (1987-94), Manager of Bettada mane Estate ((1994-2002), Manager of Codialbail Presss (2002-2013), Parish priest and Rector of St. Lawrence Church/Minor Basilica (2013-2021) and presently Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.