Pics: Kevin Rodrigues/Melwyn Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (WD/JD)
Udupi, Jul 8: Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of diocese of Udupi, ordained four deacons as priests from the Holy Cross Congregation on Wednesday, July 8.
The ordination ceremony was held at St Vincent De Paul Church, Katpady in the presence of the parents of the newly ordained priests and few other priests from Udupi diocese. Fr Boneventure Lobo Honavar, Fr Pretham Menezes Udupi, Fr Vijith Mathais Moodubelle, and Fr Joel Mendonca Pangla were the priests ordained.
During the ceremony, all safety norms issued by the government and local bodies were strictly followed during this pandemic.
Fr Rocque D’Costa, provincial, Southern province officially invited the deacons to serve the church and its followers. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo accepted the deacons' willingness to be the servants of God and ordained them as religious priests. He celebrated the Holy Eucharist with the new priests. Fr Norbert D’Mello administrator CSC South, Fr Terence director, Holy Cross Students Home, Katpady and other priests were the co-celebrants.
In his homily, the bishop of Udupi diocese said, "Today four deacons will be ordained as priests. They listened to the call of God, took long training at the seminary and have come forward to be servants of God. They have been chosen to serve the faithful. A priest is chosen from the people to serve them. The ordained priests will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. They will celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. They will forgive the sins of the people in the name of Christ. They will pray for us and will unite us with their love and mission. Jesus gave His life to the people and I urge all the priests to be the life of the people. You all shall preach the word of God and live according to the life and morals of Christ. May Christ be an example to you all and may you serve the people with all your will.”
In his message, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, said, "I congratulate the ordained priests. A priest is a person of God and his mission is to preach the people and be a servant of God. Their mission starts today. They have been waiting for this day for a long time, they have strived hard for this day. I congratulate their parents who encouraged them to serve God and be a soldier of Christ. May God bless you a hundred folds for the sacrifices you have done towards your children. Today they have become priests but we need to keep them in our prayers and pray for their mission in coming days. May they walk in the footsteps of Christ. I thank the parish priest of Katpady Church for all the arrangements and the choir members for their choir service."
After the Eucharistic celebration, a short felicitation programme was held. On behalf of Katpady Church parishioners Fr Ronson D'Souza parish priest, Katpady, Bryan Correa and Catherine Rodrigues vice president and secretary of Parish Pastoral Council, Katpady parish and Wilfred Dias, coordinator 18 commissions felicitated the newly ordained priests.
In his congratulatory message Fr Lawrence D’Almeida, CSC said, "God has chosen these priests for us today. I am grateful to their parents who encouraged them to be the servants of God. We feel very happy on this day seeing all of you ordained. You are the soldiers of God. Begin and end your day with prayer. Just do what you know and do not hesitate to speak to the seniors at the time of need. Always make a mark wherever you go and be a priest of the people. Meet the faithful, serve them and be a true servant of God.”
On behalf, all ordained priests Fr Boneventure Lobo expressed his gratitude to the people who helped them become servants of God. Fr Pretham Menezes led the prayer service.
Fr Norbert D’Mello CSC, Fr Terence CSC director, Holy Cross Students Home, Katpady, Fr Valerian Mendonca dean Udupi Deanery, Fr Cyril Honavar, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves parish priest Shenkarpura, Fr Jithesh Castelino Moodubelle were present on the occasion.
Roshan D'Souza welcomed the gathering.
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