Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VA)

Mangalore, Mar 6: The Pastoral visit of Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza to Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar, began on Saturday March 5.

He was received by the Fr Valerian Pinto, the parish priest, Frs’ Arun Lobo and J B Moras, assistant parish priests, Praveen Patrao, vice-president, Parish Pastoral Parishad, George D’Souza, secretary, Parish Pastoral Parishad, along with 500 other parishioners.

The programme began at 3.30pm with spiritual rites held in the church.  After the rituals a short stage programme was organized.  The Secretary George D`Souza read a brief report of activities of the parish. 

Praveen Patrao, handed over the ‘Mann – Pathr’ to the Bishop and welcomed him with flowers.  Sr Lisa B S, the superior of Santa Cruz convent and Sr Philomena the representative to the superior of RMI convent welcomed the Bishop.

In his message the Bishop appreciated the numerous activities organized by the church in different field - spiritual, social, cultural, educational, charitable and so on.  He stressed that every family should be aware of the day to day activities of their children and asked everyone to follow the word of Christ.  The programme was compered by Sushil Noronha, the former vice president   

Later the Bishop spoke to the children who were receiving the sacrament of confirmation.  The Holy Eucharist began at 4.45pm.  More than 100 children of Cordel Parish received the sacrament of confirmation. 

 The Bishop later addressed all the official associations of the parish.  At 7.00pm he presided the Parish Pastoral Parishad meeting.