Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru
Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Mangaluru, May 2: The diamond jubilee celebration of the birthday of Fr Valerian D’Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres here, was celebrated by parish pastoral council, with thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, April 30.
The mass was concelebrated with 40 priests including his batch mates joined by friends, well wishers and parishioners in thanking the Lord for the numerous blessings he has received during the past 60 years of his life.
After the solemn Eucharistic celebration, Fr Valerian D’Souza was taken in a grand procession from the church with a brass band for felicitation in the parish jubilee memorial hall. The function was presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese.
Albert D'souza, chairman, Adel Education Trust, Model Co-op Bank Ltd, Printania Offset Printers Pvt Ltd, Mumbai was the guest of honour. The other dignitaries on the dais who graced the occasion were Fr Anil Lobo, Asst. Parish priest, Fr Michael Santhumayor, Principal Milagres college, Fr Anil Alfred D'souza, director, family life centre, Mangaluru diocese, Fr William Gonsalves, resident priest, Fr G W Vas, resident priest, Ivan D'souza, vice president , parish pastoral council, Ivan Fernandes, secretary parish pastoral council, John Baptist Monteiro, convener ,diamond jubilee committee and Savil Mascarenhas , secretary, diamond jubilee committee.
The programme began with a prayer song by the parish children. The youth of the parish presented a beautiful welcome dance after which, the jubilee committee convener John B Monteiro extended a cordial welcome, to all the dignitaries and the guests. The guest of honour Albert D'Souza raised the toast and famed the qualities of Fr Valerian and said that his commitment and dedication to the field of education is indeed praiseworthy.
Albert recalled their association with Fr Valerian for the past 15 years from the start of St Joseph’s Engineering College and greatly appreciated his qualities of head and heart in shouldering the responsibilities. He said the success and fame of St Joseph’s Engineering College is mainly because of Fr Valerian’s deep spirituality, administrative ability, sincere hard work, meticulous planning, and disciplined implementation of strategies.
The parishioners then joined together and felicitated Fr Valerian with a meaningful melodious song, floral bouquets and a cash gift of Rs. 60,000. Fr Valerian out of his great love for the children decided to start a health fund with the gift amount received as gift for the ailing children below 12 years for their treatment.
Fr William Gonsalves, resident priest, who celebrated his diamond jubilee sacerdotal ordination, was also felicitated at this occasion.
Fr Valerian in expression of his gratitude thanked everyone who made his day beautiful, meaningful and memorable. In his speech, he recalled the contribution of his role model and spiritual guide the former bishop late Dr Basil D’Souza. He also thanked the charity sisters, Sr Jacintha Rebello and Sr Marie Rosaline for their constant support in the success of his mission. He deeply acknowledged his indebtedness to Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza for his trust in entrusting him with responsibilities of great care. He then thanked the diamond jubilee committee members for efficiently organizing such a unique programme and offered a bouquet of flowers to the convener John B. Monteiro as an expression of his gratitude.
Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza in his presidential address appreciated Fr Valerian D'Souza for his wonderful dutifulness in shouldering any responsibilities entrusted to him efficiently and his remarkable contribution to the field of education in the diocese of Mangaluru. He said Fr Valerian’s extended family is the parish community and he is the member of this extended family. So it is the duty of the parishioners to organize such events to mark the beautiful occasion. He was all full of praise for organizing such a unique and beautiful event.
Lovina Monteiro compeered the programme and Ivan Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Anil Alfred D'Souza led the grace before the meals.