Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 22: Eight Capuchin friars of Karnataka province who were ordained by Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on December 22 1998 and another two friars of the same batch, celebrated the silver jubilee of their ordination to priesthood on Thursday December 21 at Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, St Anne’s Friary, Jail Road.
Bishop DrAloysius Paul D’Souza who ordained the eight deacons twenty five years ago was the main celebrant of the silver jubilee Eucharist. The ten silver jubilarians namely Fr Alwyn Dias, Paladka (the present provincial of Karnataka province), Fr Henry Vas, Neermarga (working in Newyork), Fr Norbert D’Souza, Ammembal (now working in New York), Fr Robert Lasrado, Omzoor (now working in New York), Fr Albert D’Silva, Sakleshpur (now parish priest of Lower Kasarkod, Karwar), Fr Joel Rosario, Kuppepadav (now working in North East of India), Fr Francis Dondu, Balehonnur (now working in Turkey), Fr Edwin Monis, Chikkamagaluru (now working in Udupi), Fr Balavendra, Hassan (now working in Italy) and Fr Pradeep Rayappa, Belgavi (now working in Bengaluru) concelebrated the high Mass along with the bishop and along with more than a hundred other Capuchin and diocesan priests.
Fr Chetan Lobo, director of Assisi Press and editor of ‘Kutmacho Sevak’ preached a touching homily on accountability in priestly life referring to the action of Jesus getting up from supper and washing the feet of his disciples. He said that the success in priestly life is directly proportionate to the readiness of one to bend to down to wash the feet of one’s brothers and sisters.
The ten silver jubilarians were felicitated in the program which followed the Eucharist. Fr Gerald Lobo welcomed the silver jubilarians, their relatives and the congregation. Fr Melwyn D’Souza, the vicar provincial of the Karnataka Capuchin province raised the toast in honour of the jubilarians. Fr Prakash Lobo introduced the silver jubilarians briefly to the audience and thereafter the jubilarians were felicitated individually with a garland, shawl and memento. The bishop emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza wished the silver jubilarians a happy day and bright future.
On behalf of the silver jubilarians, Fr Alwyn Dias expressed thanks and appreciation for having organized the jubilee function. He also appreciated his fellow priests for their perseverance and courage to venture into ministries even in the remotest parts of the world. Fr Henry Vas proposed the vote of thanks. A special calendar was released and distributed to the audience in memory of the silver jubilee celebrations. The celebration concluded with the jubilee lunch. A large audience including the relatives and friends of the Jubilarians was present for the programme.