Pangla bids tearful Adeiu to Rev Fr Leslie DSouza and Mount Rosary accord a warm welcome

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Belelvision Media Network

Shankerpura, 06 June 2017: The parishioners of  St. John Evangelist Pangla bid a tearful farewell to their parish priest Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza on the occasion of his departure to Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur on Monday the 5th June 2017.

 

Fr. Leslie concelebrated his last Eucharistic Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday the 28 May 2017. Mark Vaz (Vice President, Parish Council) highlighted his various achievements namely all out development of education system, cleanliness, maintenance of various institutions, development and growth of students, their achievements. Under the guidance of Fr. Leslie he said his achievements are commendable and praiseworthy. He is also a very kind person and he has earned great respect from the young and old for his humble nature, discipline, special attention and financial needs of the poor and underprivileged and concern about children, their education and growth.

 

His main concern was for the poor and old people and also for homeless to who he worked hard to provide houses and built a few houses with the help of generous parishioners. He thanked Fr. Leslie for his kind love and affection towards parishioners and promised to pray for his good health and successful future missions. He offered a Jasmine garland on behalf of all parishioners and Fr. Leslie refused to take any memento, gift or money.

 

In response, Fr. Leslie thanked each and every parishioner for their unconditional love and affection. He said “Do not cry or sad that I’m going. I have come to your parish to do the Will of God. I had no prior experience as parish priest. Bishop asked me try for one year. It was 21 May 2010 (7 years and 7 days have been completed today) which was the day prior to plane accident at Bajpe airport. The time was no right a few parishioners also died in that accident. It was difficult time and I had no clue how to go on. But you my dear my Parishioners supported me, loved and taken care of me. If you were not supported I could not have achieved anything. I will be serving in Mount Rosary Church in Kallianpur and that is God’s wish that I must go and continue His mission."

 

I had come here to do God’s Will, His Mission and I have accomplished that and today Iam not sad but rather happy that I could accomplish my mission with your prayers, your love and affection. I may have hurt a few people but it was only to point out their errors for the betterment of school, children and church. My job is not to please people but God. My parents and Grand Parents taught me to be honest, to take care of the poor and under privileged ones, My parents are my role models and they will remain in my heart and I will always be doing their Will and God’s Will. with these few words he said Good Bye to the faithful officially. He kindly requested not to hold any farewell party neither to reach him to Kallianpur. He is not interested in glory, gifts or money but prayers only. He is only sad that he has to leave many old bedridden people as he can’t visit them anymore. Other faithful can meet him whenever they can and they are most welcome. However, on request he permitted Finance Committee members to accompany him to Kallianpur.

 

 

On 5th June 2017 at 3:30pm a few people gathered at the church premises to bid farewell to Fr. Leslie. A brief prayer service was held at the church. Once again Fr. Leslie thanked each and everyone for the love, support and help throughout his service at Pangla Parish for 7 years. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves new parish priest of Pangla wished him good luck and God’s blessings when he continues his mission in Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur.

 

A few faithful and also a few non-Catholics too bid tearful farewell to Fr. Leslie and wished his good luck.  Fr. Leslie left to Kallianpur at 4pm with members of Finance Committee of the parish, Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr. Vincent Coello, Fr. Roy Lobo & Fr. Jensil Alva (Newly ordained priests) and sisters of the convent,. He waved good bye leaving the parishioners tearful.

 

A large number of Parishioners of Mount Rosary church were gathered at the main entrance to welcome Fr. Leslie to their Parish. On his arrival out going parish priest Rev. Fr. Phillip Neri Aranha welcomed Fr. Leslie with flower garlands along with Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Souza (CESU), Mr. Rony Saldanha (VP – Parish Council), Rev. Fr. Stany Lobo (Vicar Var Kallianpur) Fr. Jerald D’Mello(Asst. Parish Priest Kundapur), members of parish council and large number of faithful were gathered.  Fr. Leslie D’Souza was accorded a warm welcome and taken in procession with the school band accompanied by Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves (Parish Priest Pangla) Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal- Pangla St. John’s Academy) Fr. Roy Lobo & Fr. Jensil Alva  and guests from Pangla Parish.

 

 

On arrival at the church Fr. Leslie was led to the alter accompanied by Fr. Phillip Neri, and Fr. Stany Lobo who performed a few religious rituals such as handing over Holy Bible, Registers containing names of all parishioners, Keys of Holy Tabernacle, Accounts Books, signing of Registrars etc.

 

A brief Religious service prayers, blessing and reading of the Holy Bible and Blessing of Holy Sacrament were held simultaneously. After the initial procedure and service, a short reception and welcoming ceremony was held in the church itself. Fr. Phillip Neri accorded a warm welcome to Fr. Leslie and to the guest/Parishioners of Pangla, Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves (current Parish Priest of Pangla) and the other guests present on the occasion. He wished all the best for Fr. Leslie for his mission in Kallianpur. He said there are nearly 640 houses of faithful but covered within 3 kms vicinity and hence it is fairly easy to visit all parishioners.

 

Fr.Leslie in response thanked Fr. Phillip Neri for his warm welcome and also thanked Kallianpur Parishioners for their grand welcoming ceremony.  He also thanked once again parishioners of Pangla esp. the members of Finance Committee who have come to reach him. He said “I have promised to God to serve Him and continue His mission in any parish I have been to assign to. I have no other intension rather than serve God, take care of the faithful and build the church and faith and I will try my best to do my duty. I’m sure the parishioners of Kallianpur will support me and I as a single man can’t do anything without the support of the people.” He especially thanked Mark Vaz (VP Pangla) for his great support to accomplish his mission at Pangla and secretary and other members of Parish Council Pangla.

 

On conclusion of Welcoming Ceremony, Pangla Parishioners were treated with snacks and tea at the mini hall of the church. At the end a group pic was taken with Pangla Parishioners and Fr. Leslie accompanied the parishioners until the main gate to say good bye.