Media Release

Shivamogga, May 28: Faithful of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli celebrated their parish priest Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque's silver jubilee on May 27.

On May 27 at 5pm Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque celebrated thanksgiving Holy Eucharist together with silver jubilarians Fr Franklin D'Souza and Fr Lancy D'Souza, clergy of the diocese concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of the diocese of Shimoga was present for the occasion. He also preached a homily based on John 21:15-19. He explained in his homily how to be faithful to the call and mission given by Jesus. "The role of a priest is to accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey. Today we have gathered in gratitude to thank the Lord for his marvellous blessings for the silver jubilarian in his priestly journey," he said. Many of the religious sisters and faithful were present for the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist.

After the Mass, a felicitators programme was organised by the faithful of Tirthahalli in the hall. Fr Roman Pinto, parish priest of St Francis Xavier's Church, Kable, Hosanagara Taluk, led the felicitatory programme.

Together with jubilarian Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, jubilarians classmates Fr Franklin D'Souza, Fr Lancy D'Souza and from the family, Lancy Albuquerque, brothers of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque were on the dais.

Parish pastoral council secretary Ovin D'Souza welcomed the gathering. Fr Franklin D'Souza spoke felicitatory words for Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He narrated the priestly journey and dedication of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He said that his simplicity, serenity, humility, and sincerity in his personal as well as in his mission has inspired many. His deep faith and prayer life is a role model for all. He thanked his family for inculcating values and ethics in his life. He appreciated his passion for the devotional music. Being a musician Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque travelled all around the Diocese and he has led feast choirs in almost every Parish of the Diocese. He is also editor of 'Stuti' (The Praise) book which contains devotional Hymns in the diocese of Shimoga.

Then Fr Franklin D'Souza and Fr Lancy D'Souza felicitated Fr Stephen Albuquerque and his brother Lancy Albuquerque.

On behalf of the parishioner’s parish finance council secretary Anthony D'Souza read felicitatory words and then parish pastoral council, parish finance council and religious sisters felicitated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque with a shawl, garland, peta and presented him silver rosary on behalf of the parishioners.

Parishioners also felicitated Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D'Souza as they celebrated their sacerdotal silver jubilee. Jayant Daniel read the felicitatory words for Fr Franklin D’Souza and Ashish D'Souza read the felicitatory words for Fr Lancy D'Souza. Then PPC members and PFC members honoured them with a shawl, garland, peta and with a memento.

ICYM president Ashish D'Souza and members led the felicitation song for the Jubilarians.

Parishioners also celebrated decennial episcopal consecration of bishop Francis Serrao SJ by cake cutting. Precilla Pinto PPC member read the felicitatory words for the bishop and then they honoured him with a shawl, garland and a peta.

In his message, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ congratulated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque for his dedicated mission to the Diocese of Shimoga. He appreciated his services as consultor, chancellor of the diocese as well as parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He said Fr Stephen Albuquerque is a role model in his priestly mission. People look up such priests in the church. He appreciated his love for the music. He thanked Fr Stephen Albuquerque for training atleast 100 persons in music in the diocese. He also thanked his mother Emiliana Albuquerque and his deceased fathers Elias Albuquerque and his siblings for giving a great gift to the Diocese of Shimoga.

He thanked parishioners for felicitating him on his decennial episcopal consecration as bishop. He asked them to pray for him too.

Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque in his address thanked Fr Paul Crasta, assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli for meticulously planning and organising felicitation programme on his sacerdotal silver jubilee together with PPC and PFC. He thanked God for his abundance grace that he experienced in his life. He appreciated parishioners for thei love for priests and for the Diocese. He thanked everyone for making his day.

Prithviraj Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Lancy D'Souza led the grace before the meals.

Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque hails from St Lawrence Church, Bondel, in the diocese of Mangalore. He was born on August 12, 1972, as the fourth son of the late Elias Albuquerque and Emiliana Albuquerque. He received his primary education at St Lawrence Higher Primary School, Bondel, and completed his high school education at MGC School, Bondel. He pursued his pre-university course (PUC) at St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru.

In 1990, he joined the Diocese of Shimoga, where he embarked on his journey towards priesthood. From 1990 to 1991, he underwent a one-year minor seminary training at St Mary's Minor Seminary, Bannimantap, Mysuru. Subsequently, from 1991 to 1994, he pursued his Philosophy studies at St Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, while concurrently completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bangalore University.

Following this, from 1994 to 1995, he engaged in regency at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Thirthahalli, under the guidance of the late Fr Joe L C Pinto. He then resumed his theological studies at St Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, from 1995 to 1998, culminating in his ordination as a deacon in 1999. As a deacon, he served at St Francis Xavier's Church, Channagiri, under the mentorship of Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, then bishop of the diocese of Mangalore.

Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque was ordained as a priest on May 19, 1999, by the then-Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza. He commenced his pastoral ministry as an assistant parish priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, from 1999 to 2001. Subsequently, he served as the parish priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, Old Town, Bhadravati, from 2001 to 2006. From 2006 to 2012, he served as the mission director of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Channagiri, followed by his tenure as the parish priest of Christ the King Church, Jogfalls, from 2012 to 2018.

Continuing his dedicated service, Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque served as the parish priest of Infant Jesus Church, Sharavathinagar, from 2018 to 2022. Since 2022, he has been serving as the parochial administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli. Additionally, he holds the esteemed positions of chancellor of the diocese and consulter, demonstrating his commitment to the spiritual and administrative aspects of his vocation.