Bellevision Media Release (AF)
Udupi, Jun 12: A send-off function was organized recently at St Lawrence Church Moodubelle to bid farewell to Fr Valerian D'Souza, parish priest and Fr Francis Crasta, assistant parish priest.
Henry Fernandes, vice-president and priests honoured Fr Valerian and Meera Lobo, secretary and priests honoured Fr Francis.
The choir sang a farewell song composed by Charles Quadras while Fr Paul Sequeira welcomed the gathering and compered the programme.
Fr Valerian thanked everybody and requested their continued cooperation in the coming days. He said that Belle was his very dear parish and appreciated the generosity of the people and urged them to continue the devotion to St Lawrence who has blessed them abundantly. Fr Francis thanked everybody and said that he found it difficult to move away from such a good parish.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr Arun Mendona. Fr Naresh Lobo, Fr John Mendonca, Fr Richard Quadras, Fr Deepak D'Souza and Fr Sunil D'ouza were present.
The parishioners numbering around 250 accompanied Fr Valerian to Senior Priests Home and Fr Francis to Nithyadharnagar parish.
Fr Joswey Fernandes Takes Charge:
Fr Joswey Fernandes took charge as parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Belle. Born on September 1, 1948, and ordained on May 8, 1976, he hails from Thottam. Formerly he was the parish priest of Karkal Attur, manager of Kodialbail press and parish priest of Niddodi before his arrival to Belle.