By Lionel Pinto Kinnigoli
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 13: Parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli, celebrated their community day with great zeal and vigor. The day began with the offering of Eucharistic celebration in the morning. The celebrant priests were Fr Alfred J Pinto, parish priest, Fr Vinod Lobo, assistant parish priest, and Fr Victor Pinto.
After the Eucharistic celebration, all parishioners gathered in the church hall. The day’s celebration began with a procession led by the parish priest carrying the Holy Bible. A prayer song was sung and the event began with skits based on the Bible and other dance and songs depicting Christian culture.
The event was graced by Richard Lewis, actor, writer, and dramatist and stage artist who spent his childhood in Kinnigoli at his grandfather’s house, Stephen Herald Mascarenhas, popularly known as ‘Hemacharya’, editor, ‘Daijiworld Weekly’, and a well-known stage artist and writer accompanied by Fr Alfred Pinto, Fr Vinod Lobo, Lionel Pinto, vice-president of parish council, Valerian Sequeira, secretary of parish council, Micheal Sequeira, convenor of Small Christian Community, and Sr Zealot who represented Mary Wale Convent.
On this occasion, Lewis and Hemacharya were honoured by Kinnigoli parishioners for their achievements in their respective fields. While acknowledging the honour, Lewis said that even though he has received many prestigious awards , this honour from his own hometown gave him much joy and happiness. Recalling his days in his native place Kinnigoli, Hemacharya, explained the importance of the media in our society.
In his presidential speech, Fr Alfred Pinto, while congratulating Lewis and Hemacharya on their achievements, called upon the parishioners to unite to help the poor and the needy in the society.
Michael Pinto, convenor of Small Christian Community, welcomed the guests and the gathering. Sr Zealot proposed the vote of thanks. Sangeetha D’Souza presented the annual report. The programme concluded with a few classic laughter stokes from Lewis and a fellowship meal.