Stanly Bantwal

Mangaluru, Dec 4: Parish Community Day was celebrated at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia in the city on Sunday December 3.

A Eucharistic celebration was held at 4 pm. Fr J B Crasta, vicar forane of the Episcopal City Deanery and rector of Rosario Cathedral Church was the main celebrant. Fr Naveen Pinto, assistant parish priest of Valencia Church preached the homily. A cultural programme was held on the church grounds.

Fr James D’Souza was the president of the programme. He said, “Community Day celebrations like this bring us together as a family.”

Chief guests for the programme were Mangalore south assembly MLA J R Lobo and chief whip of Karnataka government MLC Ivan D’Souza.

J R Lobo said, "There is a greater responsibility on us to make our community strong. We need to get into government jobs so that peace, justice and truth may prevail and that we become a model for others.

Ivan D’Souza opined that our participation in the public sector is very less and that we need to pay more attention to this for the community to be made vibrant.

The programme began with a welcome dance by Anusha D’Souza and Amulya D’Souza. Anil Lobo vice-president of the Parish Pastoral Council welcomed the gathering.

Winners of various competitions were awarded on the occasion.

During the function Sr Doreen, Godwin D’Souza, Cyril Sequeira (CGS Taccode), Neena Rodrigues, Sr Olinda Pereira, Dolphy Saldanha, MLC Ivan D’Souza were felicitated for their achievements in various fields.

Parish council secretary Lizzie pinto proposed the vote of thanks.

Lourdes ward, Carmel Ward and Infant Mary Ward performed on the theme community in a church. Team MeMoRi enthralled the crowd with their splendid jokes.

J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, parish priest Fr James D’Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Naveen Pinto, resident priest Fr Arun Lobo, vice president of parish pastoral council Anil Lobo, secretary Lizzie Pinto, Episcopal City Varado SCC convener Robert D’Souza Bendur, Valencia unit SCC convener Jacintha Carmine were present. Jacintha Sequeira and Sweeny D’Souza compered the programme.

Dinner was served to all those present. Food was specially prepared by the parishioners for the event.

The programme ended with a Baila for Konkani and Hindi music played by DJ Valen.

Around 1500 parishioners witnessed the special programme.