Pics by: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Dec 20: The valedictory ceremony of the centenary year celebrations of St John The Evangelist Church, Shankerpura was held in grandeur on Tuesday, December 20 in its premises.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, Mangaluru Diocese was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebrations.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, Diocese of Mangaluru, Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, Diocese of Udupi, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest, Shankerpura, Fr Leslie D'Souza, parish priest, Shirva and other priests from Udupi and Mangaluru diocese concelebrated.
In his homily, Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha said, “Pangla is known for jasmine and its fragrance. Fragrance and beauty are the identities of this place. Any person would identify Pangla with the fragrance of jasmine. St John The Evangelist is loacted amidst this beautiful place. St John The Evangelist by his deepest knowledge has described God as Love. He explains God's love in how He died for us. We learnt what love is in this. John had experienced this love and he described this God as love which is unique in our religion. Thus Pangla also stands for fragrance of love because here resides St John The Evangelist. Today, we Christians are fragrance of the Lord. He has chosen us to spread the fragrance of the Lord. Let us be the missionary disciples and understand the message of St John The Evangelist. God spread his messages through the humble Jesus. The church introduces us to a real God, which means love. We have received the faith through the blood, spirit and water. We have received the certainty of the heavenly presence. We have been taught about the Lord's mysteries through the catechism. Many vocations have also emerged from here. Word of God is being spread everyday from here for which we have to be grateful. We would never think of the length and breadth of God's blessings. Eucharist is the greatest way to thank the almighty."
A formal felicitation program was also held on the occasion.
Dr Gerald Issac Lobo presided over the program.
Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha, Fr Leslie D'Souza, parish priest, Shirva, Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA, Kaup. Indira S Acharya, president, Katpady Gram Panchayat, Albert Wilfred D'Souza, businessman, Mumbai, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest, Fr Anil Pinto, assistant parish priest and Fr Vijay D'Souza, assistant parish priest, John Rodrigues, vice president, parish pastoral committee, Anitha D'Souza, secretary and Seema Margaret D'Souza, convener, 20 commissions were present on the occasion.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest, Shankerpura welcomed the gathering. In his introductory remarks, Fr Ferdinand said, “In November 2021, our bishop inaugurated the centenary year. It gave an opportunity for all the parishioners to work together and organize various programs. All the programs are very much successful by the grace of god and our patron St John The Evangelist. As many as 17 various programs were organized during this centenary year. This also became an opportunity to increase our faith.”
Msgr Alfred Rayan D'Souza,a native of Shankerpura read the apostolic blessings sent by Pope Francis from Rome. Fr Jensil Alva had arranged for the apostolic blessings.
John Rodrigues, vice president, parish pastoral council, read the history of the church, ”The written history of Pangla is available from 1910. People used to rely on Shirva parish for their religious needs. In 1922, in the month of November, the chapel was dedicated to St John The Evangelist. This is the only parish dedicated to St John The Evangelist in Udupi and Mangaluru dioceses. The jasmine was introduced to Pangla by Fr Peris. It was a golden time for the Pangla parish. Talents of Pangla have spread across the world today.”
Fr Leslie D'Souza, parish priest, Shirva, addressing the gathering said, “I feel very happy today. Today is a special day to all of us. Various programs have been organized here and the entire diocese has made a part of these programs. Pangla was a cradle of vocations. Large number of youths had joined vocational service from this parish. Communion, participation and mission is being enforced here very effectively. This was my first parish as a parish priest. All the parishioners have supported me wholeheartedly. This is not just an end, but the mission of love should continue. I am very much grateful to everyone for this felicitation and honor.”
Vinay Kumar Sorake said, “Within few days we will be celebrating Christmas and New Year. On this juncture, it is a great occasion to celebrate the centenary years of this church as well. Completing 100 years is no easy one. Religious celebrations happening here for the last 100 years, is never easy. The educational institutions of this church have also contributed to the educational development and financial upliftment has also been done by introducing the jasmine flowers to the locality. In the social field also, many developments have been witnessed here. All the people of the village had participated in the fellowship meal organized on December 15 by the church. I feel blessed to receive the honor from three bishops today.”
Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha conveyed his wishes on the occasion.
Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, addressing the gathering, said, “I am the eldest one among all and I am happy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist here. The history of 100 years is been written by you and your ancestors. I am familiar with this church from 1958. I used to come to this place when I was studying in seminary. A lot of youths have joined the priestly service from this parish. This was the first parish with the highest number of vocations earlier. Many more vocations should come from this parish in the coming days also.”
Albert Wilfred D'Souza, businessman, Mumbai, on receiving the felicitation said, “I have been in Mumbai for 49 years. I became reasonably successful due to my roots in Pangla. The catechism, Konkani language and education is the main cause for my success. St John The evangelist is the main inspiration for my institutions. I am always grateful to all the parishioners and the church."
Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, in his presidential address, said, “I congratulate all the parishioners. You have completed a fruitful centenary year and are stepping into another century. To praise the lord is the utmost act of faith. We need to praise the Lord for keeping up our faith for 100 years. Pangla is a model church to others. The priests who served here have contributed to uplift the faith and also to spread education. The students of these institutions are shining all over the world. This parish stands on top in the religious and social leaderships. Many leaders have emerged from here and are successful in various fields. Religious, social and financial development has happened here. The artists of this place have spread the fragrance of Pangla all over. I remember all the religious and social leaders of this church of yesteryears. Synnod is a community church. I call on everyone to participate in full pledge in the synodial activities. This church should be a model to all other churches of the diocese. Let us identify the needy of our parish and help them.”
Former parish priest Fr Vincent Monteiro, Fr Harold C D'Souza and Fr Leslie D'Souza. former assistant parish priests Fr Ivan Madtha, Fr Vincnet D'Souza, Fr Vincent Sequiera, Fr Royson Fernandes, Fr Roshan D'Cunha, Fr Romeo Lewis. Former heads of St John's Institutions Fr Vishal Lobo, Fr Vincent Coelho and Fr Valerian Mendonca were felicitated on the occasion.
Former vice presidents and secretaries of parish pastoral council Benedict Martis, Anthony D'Sa, John Lobo, HR Alva, John Martis, Ida Cornelio, Dr Edward Lobo, Henry Castelino, Peter Martis, Flavia Menezes, Mark, Vaz, Clara Mendonca, representatives of Bahrain Pangla Association, Kuwait Pangla Association, Muscat Pangla Association, Panglites in UAE, Saudi Panglites. Donors of the centenary years programs, Gurkars of the various wards were also honored on the occasion.
Bishops Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha and Dr Aloysius Paul Saldhanha were honored on the occasion by the parish.
Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha released the centenary year souvenir.
Albert Wilfred D'Souza, businessman, Mumbai and Indira Acharya, president, Katapady Gram Panchayat, John Rodrigues, vice president, parish pastoral committee, Anitha D'Souza, secretary and Seema Margaret D'Souza, convener, 20 commissions were also felicitated on the occasion.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest and Fr Anil Pinto and Fr Vijay Dsouza, assistant parish priests were honored by the parishioners for their immense service.
Anitha D'Souza, secretary, parish pastoral committee proposed a vote of thanks.
Wilfred R Pangla and Ashwin Rodrigues compered the program.
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