Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/SP)
Mangalore, Feb 19: St Anthony’s parish, Permai, Mallur, near here, celebrated its annual day in the form of Parish Day, recently.
Permai parish that was consecrated during 2003, has 172 families spread over nine wards with 900 Catholics. Fr Sylvester D’Costa serves as its parish priest. The parish community is active in every ward. All the parishioners collectively celebrated Parish Day, a gesture aimed at strengthening the brotherly bond among the parishioners.
Different competitions were organized all through the year, giving an opportunity to each parishioner to explore his/her inherent talents.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, director of ‘Sandesha’, presided over the Holy Mass on the Parish Day. A large number of parishioners offered their agricultural produce cultivated in their farms, during the programme of offering. Snacks and beverages were served to everyone in the gathering, before auctioning-off the offerings of farm produce, the proceeds of which goes to the parish burse.
Variety cultural programme was organized by the parish cultural committee, led by John Prakash Pinto, on the evening of the Parish Day.
Stephen Dias, customs and central excise officer, was the chief guest of stage programme.
Permai parish priest, Fr Sylvester D’Costa, presided over the programme.
The parishioners of all the nine wards presented several entertainment programmes on the occasion, with inter-ward competitions.
Stephen Quadros and Vincent Mendonca were the jurors for the competitions.
Permai parish ward - 2 bagged the first prize in the inter-ward competitions, while ward -1 bagged the second prize, pushing Kandady ward to the third spot.
Permai ward -2 also bagged the overall rolling shield for the third successive year.
Mark Prakash Lobo, secretary of the parish cultural committee, welcomed the gathering, while John Prakash Pinto, convener of the cultural committee, proposed vote of thanks. Reshma Coutinho compered the programme.