Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 21: More than 1,000 faithful took part in the Holy Eucharist which was celebrated on the feast day of Christ the King, in St Lawrence Church premises in Bondel.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr Dr Walter D'Mello Judicial vicar, Mangalore diocese, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza parish priest, Fr Peter Gonsalves, principal, St Lawrence English Medium School, Fr Lancy D’Souza, assitant parish priest, Fr Melwin Pinto MSIJ, Fr Gregory, and Fr Arun Betharam con-celebrating with him.
After the Eucharistic celebration, a grand felicitation programme was arranged at the church ground for the former and present vice presidents, secretaries and teachers (Best Teacher Award for their hard work, perseverance and fortitude.)
Those who felicitated were :
PPC vice president:
Joseph Francis D’Souza (Term 1971-1979)
Lancy D’Cunha (Term 2004-2007)
Rudolph Pinto (Term 2007-2013)
Henbert Pinto(Term 2014-2019)
Reginald D’Souza (Term 2020-2022)
PPC Secretary:
Hilda D’Souza (Term 1994-2004)
Herald D’Souza (Term 2004-2007)
Reginald D’Souza (Term 2007-2013)
Wilfred Alvares (Term 2014-2016)
Francis Veigas (Term 2017-2019)
Steevan Noronha (Term 2020-2022)
South Canara District-level Best Teacher Award:
Gabriel Stany Tauro –Padwa School
Rosylin Lobo Govt high School Kenjar
At the end of the Mass, the Most Blessed Sacrament was exposed for public praise and worship. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, parish priest led the praise and worship.The Praise and worship was followed by a meaningful, devout and colorful Eucharistic procession. Dr Walter D'Mello led the procession with the Blessed sacrament taken around for public worship and blessing. The long procession through the city of Bondel culminated at the venue from where the procession began.
The procession was followed by an inspiring homily by Fr Dr Walter D'Mello. He said, "Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. This Eucharist has sustained the Holy Catholic Church all through these years, even amidst suffering and persecution. Eucharist is the one that will sustain our families, parishes and the Diocese. The Church is the Power house where we are Refilled, Recharged and Renewed by the Holy Eucharist. Let us approach this sacrament everyday with great love and devotion.
"We have gathered here to be nourished by the Eucharistic Lord so that we go out and bear witness to Him and to His Kingdom of Love, Peace, Forgiveness and Justice which is the need of the hour. The Eucharistic procession that we hold today is an expression of our union with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters. We take our Lord to the streets and homes around us so that He blesses everyone with his gifts of love, peace and justice. The lamps that we carry with us during the procession are the symbolic expression of our mission to be the light of the world," he said.
Fr Dr Walter D'Mello led the prayer of Consecration. After the Consecration a solemn blessing of the Eucharistic Lord was invoked on all.
Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, thanked all the parishioners, Parish Pastoral Council members, appreciated the selfless service of the volunteers towards St Lawrence Church, Bondel.