Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, Feb 27: To ensure a worry-free and comfortable life for retired priests, St Zuze Vaz Home, a brand new residential complex for retired priests of Mangaluru diocese was inaugurated at Jeppu on Monday, February 27.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza cut the ribbon and inaugurated the building, while Fr Denis D'Souza unveiled the plaque. Abu Dhabi based NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues and his wife Laveena along with Sr Celine Cutinho, founder of 'Missionary Sisters of Jesus' for nuns and other priests inaugurated the other rooms of the new building.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese presided over the Eucharistic Mass in the new chapel inside St Zuze Vaz Home. Fr Vincent Monteiro, Fr William Menezes, PRO of Mangaluru diocese and others were the con-celebrants of the Mass.
Fr Clifford Fernandes in his homily explained about spreading the word of God, "The Bible says good people should spread the word of God. Missionary work or preaching about God is not done for prestige or material gain. St Zuze Vaz was a great servant of God. His work for God has enabled him to be declared as a saint. Priests live and serve in very tough conditions. All to keep the faith in Christ alive. The retired priests can now live in this newly inaugurated home. God bless this place".
A formal stage programme followed the mass which was presided over by the bishop.
MLA of Mangaluru South constituency, J R Lobo speaking on the occasion said that the new residential complex has been wonderfully built and lauded the efforts behind the same. "Our community teaches us to respect and honour the aged and St Zuze Vaz Home is the result of that respect. The aged priests can live in this beautiful facility after retirement. They deserve it after serving for so long. The Catholic community is one of the main reasons for the progress and development of undivided Dakshina Kannada. The missionaries have made a great contribution for this district to reach upto this level. They serve without seeing any profit or gain in it," he said.
"My one request to all the priests of this parish is to start hostels in the churches so that poor people can come and stay here and get educated. There are a lot of teaching opportunities in north Karnataka. Students in Bijapur, Gulbaraga and others need teachers. If we start this now, I am sure we will have landmark improvement in another 50 years," he added.
Fr Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza who presided over the programme said, "I praise God for realising our wishes. It is a long time dream fulfilled. Lot of planning has gone into this project. Several donors have donated generously. Leo Rodrigues had discussed about this long time back and lent his full support when I asked him years later. Every priest has contributed. The new chapel has been dedicated to the priests. Retired priests can now live together than staying in isolation".
"I will take J R Lobo's advice of educating the less-privileged. We have been doing this since the last 10 years. We have educated a large number of children from villages. We will continue doing the same," he concluded.
Earlier, bishop Fr Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, M P Noronha, Pius D'Souza, architect Praveen Saldanha, Naveen Cardoza and Ujwal D'Souza of Marian Projects Private Limited, Felix and Louella Albuquerque, Leo and Laveena Rodrigues and a host of priests were honoured on the occasion.
Fr Prakash Monteiro compered the programme. Fr Francis D'Souza delivered the vote of thanks.
Fr Henry Sequeira, Fr Francis D'Souza and others were also present.
About St Zuze Vaz Home
The new residential complex is located on a plot, measuring 0.99 acres at St Antony’s Charity Institute, Jeppu specially designed for the comfort and companionship of aging priests.
The building has a reception desk, waiting and meeting lounge and an ample area to take indoor and outdoor walks. There is a chapel which is a power house for the priests presiding therein. There is a well spaced dining room with kitchen and store room. There is a library and reading room. There is also provision for medical care with in-house doctor and nurse. There is accommodation for care-givers and helpers in the basement, also parking space. Spread over two floors, there are a total of 34 rooms on single-occupancy basis (407 sq ft each). One floor accommodates the convent of care-taker nuns from the Missionary Sisters of Jesus congregation. There is also a hall for celebratory functions. There is provision for adding more rooms to meet expected increased demand.
The construction of this old-age-friendly building complex, with two lifts and all required amenities was closely monitored and managed by Fr William Menezes who functions as diocesan estate manager and public relations officer.
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