Pics: Nellu Permannur
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 12: Parish Priest of St Sebestian Church Permannur Fr John Baptist Saldanha, celebrated his 25 years of priesthood and his sincere service to the Church and Society.
Fr Saldanha offered Thanksgiving Eucharistic mass in the presence of Permannur parish community, relatives, priests and friends on Sunday May 10, followed by a felicitation programme.
The felicitation programme was presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore diocese, Chief Guest Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General, Fr Henry Sequiera, Chancellor, and the companions of Fr J B Saldanha –Fr Stany Lobo, Fr Eric Crasta, Fr Faustine Lobo, Fr Denis D’Sa and Sr Agnes Mary, Sr Veera, Sr Benny, the superiors of convents in Permannur, Fr Edwin Mascarenhas the principal of St Sebastian college, Fr Rohan Lobo, Fr Rupesh Madtha the assistant parish priests, Lucas D’Souza, Demetrius D’Souza , vice president and secretary of parish pastoral parishad.
The programme began with a prayer dance by the parish children.Lucas D’Souza welcomed the guest and parishioners. Fr J B Saldanha along with the bishop set in motion the Silver Jubilee balloons in with festal joy. Fr Saldanha celebrated the joy of the jubilee along with companions by cutting the cake and the choir sang a cheering song.
Fr Henry Sequeira raised the toast on this occasion.
Demetrias read the letter of honour and it was presented to Fr Saldanha on behalf of the parish community by the vice president and secretary, while the bishop honoured Fr J B Saldanha.
A documentary on Fr Saldanha’s life was aired to the gathering. On this occasion silver jubilee souvenir was launched by vicar general Fr Denis Prabhu. The president of the programme, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza addressed the gathering. All the guests and parishioners greeted Fr Saldanha with floral bouquets.
For the remembrance of this auspicious day ‘Shikshan Nidhi’ an education fund for poor students was launched by Fr J B Saldanha and shared his loving thoughts to the parishioners and guests.
Fr Rohan Lobo proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Rupesh Madtha compeered the programme.