Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)
Udupi, Nov 27: Blessings of construction work of diocesan pastoral centre was held on Tuesday, November 27, at Nayampalli, near Ambagilu on the land donated by the John Baptist Cornelio, Philomena Cornelio and Stephen Oswald Cornelio, which is spread over an acre of Land.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Diocese of Udupi blessed the work. Fr Stany B Lobo, councillor, Fr Henry Mascanheas, estate manager, Diocese of Udupi, Fr Romero Lewis, John Baptist Cornelio, Philomena Cornelio, Stephen Oswald Cornelio, Simons Prakash, architect, Simons Associates, Ujwal and Naveen Cardoza, of Marian Construction, Mangaluru, Balakrishna Shetty, councillor, Shobha, former councillor, Fr Stany Tauro, dean of Kundapur Deanery, Fr Alban D’Souza, parish priest of Kalmady, Fr Leslie D’Souza, parish priest of Mount Rosary, Santekatte, Fr Roshan Menezes (OFM Cap), episcopal vicar for Religious, Fr Reginald Pinto, director of Sampada, Fr Edwin D’Souza, director of Youth Commission, Fr Romeo Lewis, Dr Anil Castelino, campus director of Milagres College, Kallianpur, Jerry Vincent Dias, Simon Precilla Machado, Dr Neri Cornelio and others were present on the occasion.
Bishop Gerald Lobo said that it was his dream to have a fully equipped independent Diocesan Pastoral Centre and thanked John Baptist Cornelio and his family for their generosity in donating the land to the diocese. He also thanked all those who were instrumental in implementing the dream project. Though there is paucity of funds, the Bishop expressed strong faith in Our Lady of Miracles and Almighty God that the required funds would be available in course of time and the project would be completed as early as possible.
“Every work has God’s will in it. I never thought the pastoral projects would come up in this place. It is God’s will that this project must be with the people around. I have already experienced the love of people towards the diocese. I am grateful to the donors who donated this land to us. In the past six years, Udupi Diocese has grown with the kind heartedness of the people. I believe my people are with me and also there are blessings of our Patron, Our Lady of Miracles, who will lead our way in these projects,” added the Bishop.
Donors of the land John Baptist Cornelio, Philomena Cornelio and Stephen Oswald Cornelio were honoured by Bishop Gerald Lobo.
Bishop introduced the advisory committee Philip Albuquerque, Deepak D'Souza and Sandeep Almedia, who will follow up on the work on monthly basis.
Fr Stephen D’Souza, director of Divya Jyothi, Udupi, Fr Stany Lobo, chancellor of the Udupi diocese, Fr Henry Mascarenhas, estate manager of Udupi Diocese and Alphonse D’Costa, secretary of Diocesan Pastoral Council conducted the prayer service.
Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general, diocese of Udupi, welcomed the gathering. Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest, Mother of Sorrows church, rendered the vote of thanks. Fr Herold Pereira, coordinator, 18 commissions, diocese of Udupi compered the programme.