Steevan Colaco
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, May 9: Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi diocese ordained two deacons at Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva here on Thursday, May 8.
The newly-ordained priests are Fr Gerald Sandeep D’Mello of Shankerpura parish and Fr Rolwin Joy Aranha of Kalathur parish.
They were were trained at St Joseph’s Seminary at Jeppu, Mangalore and have assisted as deacons in religious ceremonies at various parishes during the period of their training.
The religious ceremony started at 3 pm with the mass. The Bishop in his sermon said that priests are selected by God for the noble task to serve the people. Being an intermediary between God and the people, his service should be conducive to our everyday lives. They should read the message of Jesus every day, meditate it, believe in it and pronounce it to the people.
He said that our lives should bring us closer to God, and that lives of priests should be like that of the crucified Jesus. "We should not hesitate even to give our lives for others," he added.
Nearly thirty priests from various parishes were present during the ceremony. They prayed for the newly ordained priests.
A brief programme was held after the mass to congratulate the newly-ordained priests. The programme was presided over by the Bishop. Fr Stany Tauro, parish priest of Shirva parish welcomed the gathering and introduced the chief guests. The bishop felicitated the parents of
new priests with bouquets.
The programme was compered by Fr Chetan, director of family life at Udupi diocese. Fr Gerald Sandeep D’ Mello expressed his thoughts and proposed vote of thanks. The people present at the programme wished the new priests well.