Mangalore: Church of Immaculate Conception Holds Silver Jubilee of Ordination

Media Release

Mangalore, May 6: It was a memorable day for the parishioners of the Church of Immaculate Conception Kinnigoly when two boys of yesteryears, having been ordained priests on April 30, 1986 celebrated silver jubilee of their ordination on Wednesday May 4 in the midst of a large gathering of religious priests, nuns, relatives and friends. 

The jubilarians, the childhood pals were Fr Ronald Cutinha, Mangalore diocesan director of SVP, Legion of Mary Association and DCCW as well as director of Samanvaya and Fr Gregory D’Souza, a priest serving under Allahabad diocese, both belonging to St Sebastian Ward of Kinnigoly Parish. 

The function began at 10 am  and was concelebrated Holy Eucharist for which Fr Ronald Cutinha and Fr Gregory D’Souza  were the main celebrants. Fr Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest of Mudipu Church gave the homily. Melodious choir was sung by the Kinnigoly Parish. After the Holy Mass, the celebrations were held in the adjacent Church Hall. 

The celebrations began with the prayer song in a dance form by the children belonging to St Sebastian Ward followed by Power-point presentation by Samanvaya team, of a short glimpse on the past of both Rev. Fr Ronald and Fr Gregory. Later, Jacintha Cutinha invited the guests and the jubilarians to the dais.   Jubilee cake was cut by the jubilarians and the toast master, Fr Xavier Pinto of Basrur Parish introduced the families of the jubilarians.

In memory of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, a new Konkani book titled ‘Chinthnam Motiyam’ written by Fr Ronald Cutinha was released by his mother, Pauline Cutinha. The well known Konkani writer and publisher, Dolphy Lobo gave introduction of the motivating new book under Samanvaya Publications. Fr Vincent Monteiro, Director of Pastoral Institute Bajjodi and Fr Alfred Pinto, Parish Priest of Kinnigoly Parish, greeted the jubilarians and wished them all well in their future mission. In their vote of thanks both Fr Ronald and Fr Gregory remembered each and everyone, who were instrumental to reach status and greeted some of them with garlands and flowers.

Fr Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi district blessed the sumptuous lunch prepared by Parimal Caterers & Arrangers, Kinnigoly.

Seated on the dais along with the jubilarians were Pauline Cutinha, Stella Serrao, Sr Letitiabeth and Sr Juliana.

Master of ceremony Aloysius D’Souza of Bendur, Mangalore compered the function systematically and maintained the schedule of the programme. There was a gathering of about 450 guests who were presented a opy each of the newly released book as the memento.