Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 8: Parish Day of Milagres Church was celebrated on February 3.
The festive Mass was celebrated at 7 am. Fr Ronald Serao Senior faculty of St Joseph’s Seminary was the main celebrant. During his sermon he stressed, “Today we need participatory church. Today’s church emphasizes on integrity. Church is considered as one family. Hence no one should be unknown within the church. Every person in the church should be familiar with other. For this reason, church is giving more importance to small Christian community prayer service. Earlier, church people who used to come together and support each other’s needs they were sharing joy and sorrow equally hence church foundation was very strong.
“We need to come together to support each other’s needs. Together we can achieve more. Milagres Church is known for its charity and service. During the Eucharist procession you people have proven your service which was appreciated by many. This year church is giving more importance to youth. Let us bring all youth towards the church. Youth should be made part of the church activities. Our ward should give more importance to youth. Church should encourage the talents of the youth. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s society,” he said.
He concluded by calling people to bring change in the church. Gurkars offered the offertory. All parish resident priests, principal and other priests joined the Holy Eucharist Mass.
All parishioners joined their hands to prepare the evening fellowship dinner. Meal preparations were blessed by Fr Valerian. Large number of parishioners joined their hands to prepare the meal.
Short cultural programme was organised under the leadership of convener Nygyl Pereira. Stage programme was presided by Msgr Lawrence Maxim Noronha, the new vicar general of Mangaluru diocese. Resident priests of Milagres, principal Fr Michael Santhumayor, high school head master Fr Maxy M D’Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Edwin Santhosh Monis, parish pastoral council secretary Ivan Fernandes, and vice-president Cecilia Peirera were present.
Felicitation programme organised for retired ward gurkars and students who scored good in academics and won prizes in national and state level in various sports activities.
Addressing the gathering, Msgr Lawrence Maxim Noronha said, “Milagres Church has set a bench mark to Mangaluru diocese by conducting various programmes at parish level. They always shine and remain role model to others which is really a good symbol. Milagres Church plays an important role in all the activities of Mangaluru diocese. We have witnessed several leadership qualities among people.”
Soon after the stage programme, cultural programme was held. The programme concluded with fellowship meal for all parishioners.