Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Apr 19: St Joseph the Worker Church established in 1968 at Neermarga, in the diocese, is readying for its golden jubilee celebration which will be held on Monday April 30 at its premises.
The church which began with 170 families now serves devotees of 470 families. It has been built amidst beautiful greenery of coconut trees, vegetation, betel leaves and other crops depicting the hard work of most the people who depend on cultivation.
The church houses a Kannada medium school which provides education to more than 400 children and has served successfully for the last 102 years imparting education to thousands of children.
Golden jubilee programmes:
The celebrations which will last till April 30, will comprise of several activities and will be set in motion after 'Hore Kanike' (offerings to the church) on April 21. Youth festival and sports will be held on April 22 and 23 will be dedicated to the sick and elderly, while Children's Day will be held on April 24. An all religion conference will be held on April 25 and 26 will be the day for couples. April 27 will be dedicated to departed souls while April 28 will be reserved for various organizations. April 29 will be a spiritual day. The golden jubilee celebrations will be held on April 30.
Preparations are in progress for the all religion conference which is to be held on April 25 at 6 pm at the church premises. Shivamogga Catholic diocese Bishop Dr Francis Serrao will preside over the conference. Manila Mahalaxmi temple seer Mohandas Paramahamsa Swamiji and Islamic scholar Moulana U K Abdul Azeez Darimi will be the guests of honour. A souvenir is being prepared for the memory of the golden jubilee.
Present parish priest Fr Anil D'Mello will lead the celebrations. Parish pastoral council vice president Prakash Pereira and secretary Jerald Lobo are working tirelessly for the success of the programme. Mangaluru diocese Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza will lead the holy mass on April 30. Archbishop of Calcutta, Dr Thomas D'Souza will participate in the celebration. Fr Victor Machado, Sr Flory D'Souza and diocese secretary M P Noronha will be the guests of honour.
Parish pastoral council vice president Prakash Pereira, secretary Jerald Lobo, committee convener Arun D'Souza, publicity committee's Prasad Pereira and media advisor, E Fernandes of Fourwinds were present at the news conference.