Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 5: Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangaluru, administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 135 children of St Lawrence Church, Bondel.
Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop emeritus of Mangalore along with Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, parish priest, Fr Peter Gonsalves, principal, Fr Lancy D’Souza, assistant parish priest, Fr Rupesh Tauro, assistant director, St Anthony’s Church and Fr Ravi Kumar MSIJ concelebrated the Holy Mass of Confirmation.
In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the significance of the Holy Spirit: “Lord send forth your spirit and renew the face of the earth” The Holy Spirit helps us widen the scope of our mission. The disciples are given the gift of tongues so that they can reach out to many people. The reading mentions as many as 13 languages. The Holy Spirit strengthens the Church with His Gifts, the son prompts the services, and the Father leads the activities. The Holy Spirit enriches the Church with his fruits; the risen Lord breathes over his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
He emphasised that Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. “Peace be with you,” he says. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.
The foundation stone for the renovation of the church building was laid by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop emeritus, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Fr Peter, Fr Lancy, Rupesh, Fr Ravi Kumar MSIJ, Reginald Vice President, Steevan Noronha secretary Parish Pastoral council, Jubilee committee president Stany Alvares, secretary Mary Mirada and Gregory DSilva, Engineer were present.
Catechism Year 2022-23 was inaugurated, the inaugural ceremony took place comprising of enthronement of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, 12 fruits of the Spirit on a tree,
At the end, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza greeted and thanked the Bishop for officiating the Sacrament and conferring children. He also thanked Fr Peter Gonsalves, Fr Lancy D’Souza and everyone involved in preparing the children for confirmation. He congratulated all the children for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.