Media Release

Shivamogga, June 3: The faithful of Our Lady of Mary Immaculate Church, Bhadravati, celebrated their parish priest Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza's silver jubilee on Sunday, June 2.

On June 2 at 5:30 pm, Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza celebrated a thanksgiving Holy Eucharist together with silver jubilarians Fr Franklin D'Souza and Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. Msgr Felix Joseph Noronha, vicar general of the Diocese of Shimoga, Fr Stany D'Souza, dean of Carmel Deanery, as well as parish priest of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, were present. Clergy of the Diocese concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.

Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, was present for the occasion. He also preached a homily based on the theme of the Body and Blood of Christ. He explained in his homily how to be faithful to the call and mission given by Jesus. "The role of a priest is to accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey. Today, we have gathered in gratitude to thank the Lord for His marvellous blessings for the silver jubilarian in his priestly journey," he said.

A large number of religious sisters and faithful were present for the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist.

Fr Santhosh Pereira was the emcee for the Holy Eucharist.

After the Mass, a felicitation programme was organised by the faithful of New Town Bhadravathi in the open ground. Fr Vinuth Balu Kumar, assistant parish priest of St. Anthony’s Church, Ragigudda, Shivamogga, led the felicitation programme.

Together with jubilarian Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, jubilarians' classmates Fr Franklin D'Souza, Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, and from the family, Oswald D'Souza, brother of Fr Lancy D'Souza, and Sr Jyothi D'Souza, sister of Fr. Lancy D'Souza, were on the dais.

Parishioner Anthony Wilson welcomed the gathering. Fr Franklin D'Souza spoke felicitatory words from his heart for Fr Lancy D'Souza. He narrated the priestly journey and dedication of Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza. He said, "His simplicity, serenity, humility, and sincerity in his personal as well as his mission have inspired many. His deep faith and prayer life as well as love for the word of God are praiseworthy." He thanked his family for inculcating values and ethics in his life. He appreciated his passion for serving the poor and downtrodden.

Then Fr Stephen Albuquerque and Fr Franklin D'Souza felicitated Fr Lancy D'Souza.

On behalf of the parishioners parish pastoral council secretary Wilson read felicitatory words and then parish pastoral council, parish finance council, and parishioners felicitated Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza with a shawl, garland, peta, and a gift on behalf of the parishioners. His family members also honoured Fr Lancy D'Souza.

Parishioners also felicitated Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque as they celebrated their Sacerdotal silver jubilee. Then PPC members and PFC members honoured them with a shawl, garland, peta, with a memento, and a gift.

Parishioners also celebrated the Decennial Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Francis Serrao SJ by cake cutting. Gracy Thomson read the felicitatory words for the Bishop, and then they honoured him with a shawl, garland, and a peta.

In his message, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ congratulated Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza for his dedicated services to the Diocese of Shimoga. He appreciated his services as the dean of the Holy Family Deanery, parish priest of Chitradurga, and the way he brought the parish as its pastor, as well as the all-round development he did there. And now his services at New Town Bhadravathi as its pastor, he has built up the community in faith and prayer.

He also thanked his father late Felix D'Souza and his mother late Florine D'Souza and his siblings for giving a great gift to the Diocese of Shimoga in the person of Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza. He also thanked parishioners for felicitating him on his Decennial Episcopal Consecration as Bishop. He asked them to pray for him too.

Fr Lancy D'Souza, in his address, thanked Fr Santhosh Pereira, Rector of minor seminary for being with him and his family for helping them to organize the programme. He thanked PPC and PFC, SVP, and all other associations of the parish for their selfless involvement. He thanked God for His abundant grace that he experienced in his life. He appreciated parishioners for their love for priests and for the Diocese. He thanked everyone for making his day.

Helen Smitha proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque led the grace before the meals.

Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza hails from Holy Spirit Church, Sampige, Moodbidre, Diocese of Mangalore. He was born on August 24, 1970. He is the eighth son of late Felix D'Souza and Florine D'Souza. Among 10 children in the family; four are religious sisters and two are priests.

His primary education is from Government School, Kallamundkur. He completed high school at Sarvodaya School Kallamundkur. He did his PUC at Pompoi Junior College, Kirem, Kinnigoli.

In 1990, he joined the Diocese of Shimoga. From 1990 to 1991, he did his one-year minor seminary at St Mary's Minor Seminary, Bannimantap, Mysuru. From 1991 to 1994, he did his Philosophy at St Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. At the same time, he completed his Bachelors degree in Arts at Bangalore University.

From 1994 to 1995, he did his regency at St Joseph's Church, Sagara, Shivamogga.

From 1995 to 1998, he completed his Theology at St Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. After completing his formation at St Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru, he was ordained as a Deacon in 1998. He served as a Deacon at Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, Old Town, Bhadravathi.

He was ordained together with Fr Franklin D'Souza on May 10, 1999, by Dr Bernard Moras, then Bishop of the Diocese of Belgaum at St Ignatius Loyola Church, Paladka.

After his ordination, he served at the Bishop's house as secretary from 1999 to 2000. From 2000 to 2001, he served as parish priest of Our Lady of Victories Church, Nagara, Hosanagara Taluk. From 2001 to 2004, he served as mission director of Infant Jesus Church, Challakere. From 2004 to 2010, he served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Kargal near Jog Falls. From 2010 to 2015, he went on to serve as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Malur near Tirthahalli. From 2015 to 2021, he served as parish priest of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga.

From 2021 onwards, he is serving as parish priest of Mary Immaculate Church, New Town, Bhadravathi.