State of the art renovated A/C St. John Sabha Bhavan Inaugurated on Founders Day at Pangla

By Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 09 Dec 2024:  Eagerly awaited, State of the art St, John Sabha Bhavana at the heart of Shankerpura (Pangla Parish) was inaugurated by well-known Mumbai based Entrepreneur and a Pangalite, Albert D’Souza on Sunday the 8th December 2024 accompanied by Most Rev. Dr, Gerald Lobo (Bishop, Udupi Diocese), Rev. Fr. Dr. Anil Prakash Castelino (Parish Priest, Pangla Parish) John Lobo (Former HM, St, John High School), Antony D’Sa (Entrepreneur, Anil Sounds and Catering), John Martis (Vice President, Parish council), Gabriel Martis (Secretary, Parish council), Joseph Castelino (President, 20 Commission, Parish Council). Fr. Rolwin Fernandis (Assistant Priest) and Brother Rohan Mascarenhas (Deacon).   Prior to the inauguration Fr. Anil Prakash Castelino briefed about the earlier establishment of the Hall which was built by the then Parish Priest, Late Rev. Fr. J.P. Tauro (Sabha Bhavan) and Platinum Hall by Rev. Fr. Vincent Monteiro. 

 

After the inauguration blessed statue of St. John the Evangelist and Holy Cross placed at the entrance of the Hall.  After entering the brightly lit Sabha Bhavan, a short prayer was held and brightly lit Sabha Bhavan was sprinkled with Holy Water by Bishop Lobo.

 

Earlier a 7 feet wide Ramp, especially built for the senior citizens was inaugurated by Clara W. Mendonsa (Former, HM, St. John High School), accompanied by dignitaries and well wishers of Pangla Parish and Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo.

 

Prior to the Inauguration of the Sabha Bhavan a Holy Eucharistic Mass was held at the church concelebrated by Bishop Gerald Lobo along with Fr. Jencil Alva, Fr. Anil Prakash Castelino, Fr. Rolwin Fernandis to commemorate the founders day of the Parish which was established on November 20, 1922.

 

The stage program began with a prayer by Choir group of the Parish.   The eminent guests invited on the dais were HE Dr, Gerald Lobo (Bishop, Udupi Diocese), Rev. Fr. Dr. Anil Prakash D’Souza Albert D’Souza (Entrepreneur, Mumbai, Dr, Ronald Nazareth (Registrar, St. Aloysious Deemed to be University, Mangalore), Monsignor Dr. Rayan D’Souza), Rev. Fr. Rolwin Fernandis (Assistant Parish Priest),  John Martis (VP, Parish Council), Gabriel Martis (Secretary, Parish Council), Joseph Castelino (President, 20 Commission) and Sr. Saritha D’Souza (HM, English Medium School).  John Martis welcomed the gathering and prominent guests on dais.  He lauded the financial support provided by the parishioners including all kind of support rendered towards the completion of the Sabha Bhavana in time.  Once initiated the renovation project was completed within six months.  He also highlighted the special features of the Sabha Bhavan such as seating capacity of 650+ and also having CC Cameras, echo proof sound systems and fully operated Air-Conditioned state of the art Sabha Bhavana, which were installed with much less prices than the market price.  He also highlighted the quote by Bishop while entering the Hall “I’m feeling as if I’m entering a Five Star Hotel”  that means it provides cool air, decorated with beautiful lights, and other all essential items which were used in the five star hotel.  Finally, a few more lakhs are pending for payments, he hoped after visiting this super special building parishioners will come forward and donate the remaining funds without hesitation.

On the auspicious occasion all the donors were felicitated by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the stage.  Also honoured were the engineers, contractors, electricians, and other personnel who were part of the building of the Sabha Bhavan.

 

On this special occasion four Pangalites were honoured namely  Dr, Ronald Nazareth  on appointment as Registrar, St. Aloysious Deemed to be University, Mangalore,  Rev. Fr. Dr. Jencil Alva (PhD in ‘First Community Prayer, Exegetical Study of Acts 4: 23-31.  He completed this doctorate from Pontifical St, Thomas Aquinos University, Rome, Dr. Macquin Kenwood D’Mello completed his doctorate on Spatiotemporal Pattern of Underweight & diarrhea among Five Children in Karkala taluk, from K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte University. Mangalore and Dr. Fiona Joyline Mascarenhas completed her doctorate in Synthesis and Characterization of Transition Metal chalcogenides for Supercapacitors (Chemistry) from NITK Suratkal.

 

All the above PhD holders were felicitated with a shawl, fruit basket, garlands by Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais.

 

Speaking on the occasion the guest of honour Albert D’Souza said that he has been part of all the projects of Pangla Parish.  During the first building of the Sabha Bhavan Fr. Tauro approached him for financial support and he sent Parish council members to Mumbai to meet him and he took them all the places of Mumbai to meet Pangla Parishioners and arranged a substantial funds for the building and also followed by many other projects such as P.U. College building, Platinum Hall and other school buildings he as a Pangla Parishioner felt its his responsibility to help his own Parish and he has done it without expecting any rewards.  On the occasion he presented a Five Lakh cheque as around 50 Lakhs more are required for the completion of the project.

 

Dr. Gerald Lobo appreciated the over all progress done by the Pangala Parish and congratulated each and everyone for successfully completing the Sabha Bhavan project.  He also congratulated the honored PhD holders and requested them to render their service not only to Pangla Parish and the Udupi diocese as well.  He highly spoke of Fr. Anil Prakash Castelino. He said he has sent a best priest to our parish who is well qualified, a visionary and responsible priest.  Whatever projects he undertakes he will give his 100% attention to it.  He will see that no compromise on quality service and this Sabha Bhavan is the best example as another 50plus years no need to change anything and its built keeping in mind that goal to serve parishioners 50 years or more.  In appreciation for his selfless service Bishop honored him with a Shawl and garland.

 

Fr. Anil Prakash also reciprocated by offering a Jasmine garland of 800 flowers symbolizing 800 families of the Pangla Parish.  He also proposed vote of thanks wherein he thanked each and everyone who helped in completing this big project especially the generous donors.

 

A sumptuous lunch prepared by the parishioners were served to the 1200 plus parishioners attended the inaugural function.

 

The entire program was beautifully emceed by Clara Mendonsa and Anitha D’Souza