Media Release

Madantyar, Aug 13: On a two day pastoral visit to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Madanthyar, the Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 116 candidates and inaugurated Parish Website ww.madanthyarchurch.com.

On Saturday evening at 3:15 pm Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza was received at the main entrance of the Church.

Parish Priest Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas welcomed him with a garland. Thereafter assistant parish priest  Fr Clifford Pinto, vice president Dr J R Sera and secretary Blany D’souza welcomed him. Then he was taken into procession to the church accompanied by the Band from Sacred Heart English Medium School, tolling of the church bell and sound of the firecrackers. The whole parish was in a celebration that their shepherd has arrived to give the message of Christ. After entering the church Bishop explained to the parishioners the purpose of the pastoral visit and blessed them with indulgence. On this occasion he prayed for the departed souls of the parishioners.

After the initial rite speaking to the “confirmandi” (the Confirmation Candidates) the Bishop emphasized on the need to build a strong faith and grow as the responsible members of the church. He tested the knowledge of the candidates in catechism by asking few questions.

The solemn mass was concelebrated by the Bishop along with parish preist Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, assistant parish priest Fr Clifford Pinto and Fr Canute Tauro. After the homily, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 116 candidates.After the mass the Bishop visited the Sacred Heart Convent, Maria Kripa Convent and Asha Deepa Carmelites formation house.On Sunday August 11 the Bishop addressed the children from first standard to third standard and fourth standard to seventh standard at different times. He also spoke to the parishioners.

Thereafter, the Bishop inaugurated the parish website www.madanthyarchurch.com and felicitated Vinith  Almeida, Milagres Church and Oswald Goveas, Belthangady Church, who are the master mind behind this noble task.

The Bishop was felicitated by the parish priest,  Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, assistant parish priest, vice president and secretary of the parish pastoral council.

Following the concelebrated Mass, the Bishop had an interaction with the various associations of the Parish. The secretaries of various associations read out the reports of the activities of their respective associations. These associations are: Altar Servers, Marian Sodality, YCS, ICYM, Society of St Vincent De Paul, Women Association, Legion of Mary (women), Catholic Sabha and Small Christian Community.
 
After listening to the reports of various associations, the Bishop appreciated the good work done by them and also advised what more could be done in order to be more effective and relevant in the church and the society.

At 1 pm the Bishop had a meeting with the members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Addressing the members, the Bishop pointed out the responsibility of the Gurkars and representatives in building up Small Christian Community in their respective wards. He also said that they should have interaction with all the families of the ward.

Speaking further, the Bishop emphasized  that all the parishioners should make it a point to send their children to these educational institutions which have been built and nurtured by the parishioners over the years. Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Dr J R Sera proposed the vote of thanks. Bishop and the priests later joined the members of the council for the dinner.