Daijiworld Media Network
With input from media release
Mangalore, Nov 16: Mangalore Diocese is celebrating its post centenary silver jubilee this year, and to create an awareness and inform faithfuls about the Diocese presence around the Gulf countries, Vicar General Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu and Milagres parish priest Fr Walter D'Mello will be visiting the UAE, Oman, Doha, and Kuwait within the next couple of weeks.
1st Sept 1886 was a historic day as it signifies the birth of the Mangalore diocese. On that day the vicariate of Mangalore became the Mangalore diocese when Pope Leo XIII established the Indian Hierarchy and officially proclaimed on 25th January 1887. The diocese of Mangalore is in its 125th year of existence and rendering fruitful service to the faithful.
The diocese has registered commendable progress and has earned a name and recognition in India and abroad for its singular contribution to the fields of education, health care and social service. It is also heartening to note that our people all over the world are admired for their sacrifice, commitment, charity and efficiency.
"It is mainly because of the remarkable generous support, financial and moral, extended by Mangalorean catholics in India and abroad, especially in the Gulf Countries that our parishes and institutions have registered all round progress. The diocese remains indebted to the selfless sacrifices and good will of the donors and well wishers," says media release from Mangalore diocese.
"The joy of the jubilee celebrations would be complete only when we fulfil the felt needs of our less fortunate brethren. A number of our brothers and sisters still live below the poverty line and wait for a helping hand for their liberation. The number of people seeking economic support for housing, education and health care is increasing day by day. The plight of these less fortunate families is painfully sad as they are deprived of their basic needs." says Vicar General Fr Denis Moras Prabhu.
In view of this, the following projects have been envisaged:
1.Building 160 low cost houses of 290 sq/ft at a cost of Rs 2 lakh each for the homeless poor families of the diocese:
Each of the 160 parishes of the diocese will be offered financial assistance to construct a house for the needy family.
2.Providing free education up to PUC for poor children:
It is our responsibility to see that every member of our community receives education at least up to PUC level.
3.Building hostels in the city for our boys who aspire for higher education: Opportunities for higher education and employment are more available in the city of Mangalore. Hence to provide opportunities of higher education to the boys of rural areas hostel facilities in the city are a felt need.
4.Building a shrine/chapel at Bajpe in memory of the visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II to Mangaldore:
It was indeed a privilege of our diocese to host the visit of Pope John Paul II at Bajpe on February 6, 1986. In memory of his beatification, a shrine/chapel will be constructed at Bajpe at the venue.
5.Establishing a Marian/Diocesan Museum at Rosario Cathedral to display the history of our diocese of the past 125 years: The documentation of the historical growth of the diocese of Mangalore will be displayed in the proposed museum.
6. Conducting a Quiz on the history of the diocese through Rakno during the year of the jubilee:
The quiz is being conducted by Rakno in order to educate the community on the historical development of the diocese.
7.Bringing out a souvenir to mark the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee: In order to record the jubilee events in a fitting manner and acknowledge the contribution of the donors and well wishers a souvenir will be released on the occasion.
The concluding function of the Jubilee celebrations will be held on 11th February 2012.
Diocesan emissaries visiting the Gulf Countries:
The schedule is as follows:
17 November 2011 – Abu Dhabi at Indian Social and Cultural Centre at 7.00pm.
18 November 2011 – Dubai Lotus at Downtown Metro Hotel, Deira Dubai at 6.30 p.m.
21 November 2011 – Doha, Qatar at Ashoka Hall at ICC premises at 7.00 pm
23 November 2011 – Muscat, Sultanate of Oman at Sts Peter & Paul Parish Hall at 7.00 p.m.
26 November 2011 – Kuwait at Indian Community School, Amman Branch,Salmiya at 6.30
p.m.
Msgr Moras has appealed people in the Gulf Countries to attend the meetings in their respective places in large numbers and demonstrate solidarity with the diocese and support the cause.