Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 25: It was a joyous event for the entire parish of St Lawrence Church, Bondel to receive bishop of Mangalore diocese, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha for the pastoral visit from July 23 to 25.
Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza the parish priest, Fr Peter Gonsalves - principal St Lawrence English Medium School, Fr Lancy D’Souza - assistant parish priest, Reginald D’Souza - vice president, Steevan Noronha – secretary parish pastoral council, Fr Melwin Pinto MSIJ, Fr Vipin - Betharam along with newly first holy communicants, altar servers, ICYM/YCS, parish pastoral council members representatives from various associations of the parish and a large number of parishioners accorded a cordial welcome to the bishop with a flower bouquet and later through a grand procession accompanied him to the serene ambience of the well decorated St Lawrence Church, Bondel on July 23.
The parishioners assembled in large numbers to witness this three days' historical event. After the formal welcome, a meaningful prayer service was held in the church bishop addressed the entire parish community, conducted catechism for the parishioners on church teachings.
Bishop celebrated the holy Mass with all the priests of the parish along with Fr Thrishan D'Souza, bishop's secretary. Later the bishop visited the cemetery, blessed and offered prayers, interacted few parishioners.
Later, the bishop along with the parish priests and team had a parish pastoral council meeting and later finance committee meeting. The bishop interacted with all the parish pastoral council members and convener of each commissions and gave his inputs and suggestions on various issues, and the day concluded with a dinner with them.
On July 24, the bishop addressed the entire parish community, conducted catechism for the parishioners on Eucharist, the Bible and its importance in daily life importance to proclaiming and meditating on the Word of God. Later, the bishop celebrated the holy Mass. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Fr Peter Gonsalves Fr Lancy D’Souza, Fr Trishan D’Souza and Fr Melwin Pinto concelebrated the Mass.
There was a short stage programme later for which the dignitaries were escorted to the dais. The programme commenced imploring God to pour out his blessings in abundance upon the Parishioners, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza welcomed the bishop as well as the entire parishioners, all the associations and commissions presented their reports for the past five years and the bishop appreciated everyone for their active involvement in the association activities.
The bishop was then felicitated for completing four years as the bishop of Mangalore diocese. On the occasion of grandparents day, to express the unconditional love of grandparents, Gretta Menezes, a senior citizen of Carmel ward was felicitated by the bishop with a shawl and flower bouquet. St Lawrence English Medium sSchool student achievers of board exams and distinction students were felicitated by the bishop. The heads of 21 commission and all associations presented saplings to the bishop as a token of love which were planted in the church premises in the memory of the bishop’s pastoral visit.
All the 36 ward gurkars were given a kit by the bishop which contains prayer books for all the occasions,. The annual parish report was presented by the parish pastoral secretary Steevan Noronha. Later, the bishop addressed the gathering and blessed the faithful. Br Steevan (Betharam) compered the programme. Reginald D’Souza, vice president proposed the formal vote of thanks.
The bishop planted the sapling at PWD ground, Bondel ground in the evening as part of environmental protection run Catholic Sabha mass cleanliness drive. Later, the bishop visited the sisters' convents and religious houses and interacted with them and the second day concluded with dinner at Mary Hill convent.
On July 25, the bishop visited the sick of the parish, offered prayers and gave them communion. Later, the bishop offered Mass for the St Lawrence English Medium school children.
He visited St Lawrence Kannada Medium School interacted with principal, teachers and students and also the St Lawrence English Medium School and had a teachers' meeting.
The bishop also visited some parishioners before lunch. Therefore, the pastoral visit concluded with a prayer service. The bishop returned to the bishop's house later.
The pastoral visit was a unique experience for the entire parish, which enabled the people to express their faith and belongingness to the church.