Moodubelle: Dr. Aloysius D’Souza administers Sacrament of Confirmation to 83 candidates

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 24 Jun 2012: On a two daylong pastoral visit to St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, the Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 83 candidates during the solemn Mass on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

 

Earlier, Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza who arrived along with his  secretary, Rev. Fr.Ritesh Rodrigues was received at the main entrance of the church by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes and Alphonse K. Alva, vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council by offering  him jasmine garlands. Thereafter, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap), Fr. Naresh Lobo and Sr. Vineetha, Superior of the Loreto Convent welcomed the Bishop.

 

The Bishop was then taken into procession to the church accompanied by the Band from St. Lawrence English Medium High School, tolling of the bell and sound of the firecrackers. The parishioners who had assembled in large numbers were lined on both sides from the main entrance till the portico of the church.

 

After entering the church, the Bishop knelt and prayed for some time before ascending the main altar. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandesr offered prayers for the Bishop who had arrived to the parish on two daylong pastoral visit. Thereafter, the Bishop sprinkled holy water on the congregation.

 

The parish priest offered a  candle lighted from the Pascal Candle to the Bishop who carried it to the front from which all the members of the Parish Pastoral Council lighted their candles in turn and stood  in line in front of the altar. The Bishop addressed them  and pointed out the significance of the ritual and the importance of the Parish pastoral Council in the spiritual and temporal life of a parish.

 

Following the hymn and prayer for the Pope, the Bishop explained the meaning and significance of the Plenar Indulgence and blessed the congregation. Next, prayers were offered to the eternal rest of the departed souls of the past parishioners followed by hymn in honour of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of Belle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addressing the parishioners, the Bishop highlighted the importance of vocation in the parish in general and in the respective families in particular.

 

Speaking the Confirmation candidates , the Bishop emphasized on the need to build a strong faith and grow as the responsible members of the church. He tested the knowledge of the candidates in catechism by asking few questions which were answered by some candidates.

 

The solemn Mass was concelebrated by the Bishop along with six priests. Being the feast of St. John the Baptist, the Bishop in his homily highlighted the life and mission of St. John the Baptist. He said that the Church celebrates the birthdays of only three-Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist.

 

Following the homily, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 83 candidates.

 

At the end of the Mass, Commodore Jerome Castelino, VSM, who has been instrumental in starting St. Lawrence Degree College at Moodubelle was appointed by the Bishop as the ‘Dean of St. Lawrence College’ and honoured him with a bouquet of flowers.

 

In his reply to the honour conferred on him, Commodore Jerome Castelino said that he humbly accepted the honour and appointement as the Dean of St. Lawrence College, Moodubelle and assured the Bishop, parish priest and the parishioners that he would work still hard for the progress of the college.

 

After the Mass, the Bishop had a meeting with the members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Addressing the members, the Bishop pointed out the responsibility of the Gurkars and Representatives in building up Small Christian Community in their respective wards. He also said that they should have interaction with all the families of the ward by dividing the number of  families among three of them-one Gurkar and two Representatives in each ward.

 

Speaking further, the Bishop  emphasized the fact  that the Gurkars and parishioners in general should see to it that no child or youth in their  ward gave up education at any stage for lack of motivation or financial constraint. He pointed out that the educational institutions are the pride of the parish and all the parishioners should make it a point to send their children to these educational institutions which have been built and nurtured by the parishioners over the years. He appreciated the fact that the much needed St. Lawrence Degree College  has started functioning from this year and it will have bright future with the support of the parishioners.

 

Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Alphonse K. Alva proposed the vote of thanks. Bishop and the priests later joined the members of the council for the dinner.

 

On Sunday, June 24, 2012, the Bishop addressed the students from 5th standard to  7th standard, 8th to 10th standard and PUC at different times. He also spoke to the parishioners. Thereafter, the Bishop was felicitated by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, other priests present and the vice president and secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council.

 

Following the concelebrated Mass, the Bishop had an interaction with the various associations of the parish and educational institutions. The leaders of various associations read out the reports of the activities of their respective associations. These associations are: Altar Servers, Marian Sodality, Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Tertiary Order, Stree Sanghatan, Catholic Sabha, YCS, ICYM, Small Christian Community and Choir.

 

 

After carefully listening to the reports of various associations and institutions, the Bishop appreciated the good work done by them and also advised what more could be done in order to be more effective and relevant in the church and the society.

 

Later, the Bishop met the parents of the seminarians and also visited the Loreto Convent and the Assisi  House in Kattingeri.

 

The two daylong Pastoral visit of Bishop Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza was quite memorable as it enabled the Bishop to review the spiritual and material progress of the Moodubelle parish. It also gave an opportunity for the parishioners to listen to the messages and instructions of the Bishop.