News: Fr Joswin D’Souza

Pics: Premlal Lobo

Kasaragod, May 15: St Thomas Church, Kollangana celebrated Confraternity Sunday and Religious Day celebrations on the occasion of parish silver jubilee on May 14 with gaiety and devotion.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Fr Able Lobo, the parish priest of Uppinangady who was celebrating his sacerdotal silver jubilee.

Fr Joswin Praveen D’Souza preached the sermon. The theme of the sermon was “Eucharist as the centre of Christian life.” He emphasised how Eucharistic Lord has guided, nourished and taken care of the parish for the last twenty five years. "The Eucharistic Lord has blessed the parish immensely at the spiritual level as the parish has become a garden of vocations both for priests and nuns. The parish has also developed in every sphere of life economically, educationally and socially for the last twenty five years. The Eucharistic Lord is inviting us to celebrate our faith and live the Eucharist in our families, wards and in the parish. The Eucharistic Lord calls us to live a life of unity, holiness and Forgiveness," he said. 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was conducted by Fr Abel Lobo that aided the faithful to be integrated more deeply into the communion of the Mystical Body. Thereafter, the grand Eucharistic procession commenced. The Blessed Sacrament was taken in a motorcade by Fr Joseph Rodrigues with the brass band playing tunes of various hymns; the choir sang the Eucharistic hymns. The path of the motorcade was decorated with colourful banners bearing the quotations from the Gospel and cloth buntings. With this public witness of faith, the parish invited people in the community to encounter the Risen Lord present in the Eucharistic Host. For those who participated in the procession, it was an opportunity not only to proclaim their faith but also to grow in their faith.

After the Mass, the Religious Day was celebrated in the church grounds. The programme began with a prayer dance to invoke God’s blessing. On this wonderful occasion, the priests who were ordained here from this parish were honoured. The priests who were honoured are: Fr Antony Rodrigues, Varanasi diocese, Fr Joseph Rodrigues, Mangalore diocese, Fr Raju Felix Crasta Jamshedpur diocese, Fr Kishore D’souza Jaipur diocese, Fr Cyprian Rodrigues Jaipur diocese, Fr Joswin Praveen D’souza Mangalore diocese, Fr Ranjith Rodrigues Nagpur diocese, Fr Francis D’Souza Agra diocese, Fr Sunil Lobo Dominican Order, Fr Vivian Nishanth Rodrigues Mangalroe diocese. Some priests were absent. They are Fr Peter D’souza Mangalore diocese, Vincent Lobo Udupi diocese, Fr Joseph Rodrigues Agra diocese, Fr Melvin Rodrigues Lucknow. The family members received honor in their regard. Following this, religious sisters from the parish were also honoured. The sisters who were honoured are, Sr Anitha Rodrigues UFS, Sr Saritha Crasta BS, Sr Pravitha Crasta BS, Sr Glany D’Souza SCCG, Sr Shareena D’Souza BS, Sr Lavina D’souza BS, Sr Vinisha Rodrigues BS, and Sr Lavisha D’souza BS. On this special occasion Fr Abel Lobo who celebrated his sacerdotal silver jubilee was honoured by the parish community. Fr Abel Lobo thanked the parish community for the honour. Fr Antony Rodrigues Varanasi and Sr Anitha Rodrigues UFS also echoed the words of gratitude for the honour. Fr Rithesh Rodrigues, parish priest who spearheaded the whole programme thanked everyone who contributed immensely for the success of the programme and distributed a memento to each family for all the support and service rendered to the parish on the occasion of jubilee. Finally, delicious meals were served to all the faithful gathered.