Karkala: Platinum Jubilee of Christ the King Parish celebrated with solemnity and grandeur

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Karkala, 23 Nov 2016: Solemnity and grandeur marked the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Christ the King Parish, Karkala Town on Wednesday, 23 November 2016 which was also observed as the annual parish feast day. Prior to the solemn feast and jubilee mass, the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was accorded red carpet welcome to the sound of brass band by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest of Christ the King Church and Rev. Fr. Roshan Cordero, Assistant Parish Priest. The Bishop entered the renovated church and prayed in front of the main altar for few minutes.

 

Just before the feast and jubilee mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes distributed candles of honour to the office bearers and gurkars of the parish and sponsors of the annual feast(Mud-dhoms). The Secretary of the Parish pastoral Council  Antony Aranha read the names.

 

The solemn jubilee and annual feast mass was concelebrated by the Bishop along with Rev. Fr. John Barboza, former parish priest, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, present parish priest of Christ the King Church as well as other priests from and outside the Karkala Deanery.

 

In his homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the meaning and importance jubilee by citing examples from the Old Testament. He said that Jubilee includes five important elements. These are: Remembrance, Return to God, Reconciliation with God and fellow beings, living according to the will of God and Jubilation or celebration. He further said that jubilee year is the gift of God. While celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the parish, the parishioners should remember the sacrifices that their ancestors did in order to build not only the church but the parish community and thank God for His blessings in bringing prosperity to the community.

 

 

At the end of the mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes  expressed gratitude to Bishop Gerald Lobo and all the priests who had participated in the solemn Jubilee mass. He also thanked all those who had helped  in making arrangements for the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of the Parish.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo distributed candles of honour to the chief sponsors of the Jubilee and annual feast (Firjent).

 

Following the solemn Jubilee and annual feast mass, stage programme commenced at 11.30 am. The ICYM members presented the welcome dance. The felicitation programme was presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Dr. Frederick D’Souza-Director of Caritas, New Delhi, Rev. Fr. Peter Cyprian D’Souza(OFM Cap), Advisor to the Capuchin Provincial of Karnataka, Rev. Sr. Cecilia Mendonca (BS), Provincial of Bethany Sisters, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Roshan Cordero(OFM Cap), Mrs. Elsie D’Souza, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council and Antony Aranha, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council.

 

Following the welcome address by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Rev. Dr. Frederick D’Souza along with other dignitaries on the dais formally inaugurated the Platinum Jubilee Programme by unfurling the traditional areca flower (Pingara).

 

In his brief message, Rev. Dr. Frederick D’Souza, who hails from Christ the King Parish, Karkala Town, conveyed the greetings of the Platinum Jubilee to all the parishioners.

 

The history of Christ the King Parish spreading over 75 years was read out by Secretary of the Parish pastoral Council, Antony Aranha. In his narration, Antony Aranha highlighted the contribution of each and every parish priest who had served the parish at different intervals through their developmental work and spiritual enrichment. He also read out the list of assistant parish priests who had rendered their service to the parish.

 

 

Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes honoured past and present ‘Gurkars’ for their self less service to their respective wards by offering them shawl, garland and memento.

 

Rev. Sr. Cecilia Mendonca felicitated Bethany Sisters who had served as the Superiors of the Bethany Convent at Karkala Town and those sisters who served as headmistresses of Christ the King School.

 

In her address, Rev. Sr. Cecilia Mendonca conveyed the greetings of the jubilee to all the parishioners and pointed out that the Bethany Sisters have been serving in the parish since the last 57 years. While appreciating the strong faith that many of the families profess in  Jesus and the church, she lamented that many young people and some families have become victims of modern gadgets and communication mediums that has resulted in dampening their faith.

 

Two old sacristans were honoured by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes. 

 

Rev. Fr. Peter Cyprian D’Souza (OFM Cap) felicitated former assistant parish priests. He also released the parish journal ’Tarok’.

 

Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. Peter Cyprian D’Souza expressed happiness to be part of the Platinum Jubilee celebration and appreciated the progress that the parish had made during the last 75 years.

 

The past and present Vice Presidents and Secretaries of the Parish pastoral Council were felicitated by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. He also honoured the sponsors and donors for the jubilee function.

 

For their great service to the parish in various ways, the immediate past Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. John Barboza and present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes were felicitated by the Bishop.

 

In his presidential address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo complimented the Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes and all the parishioners for organizing the Platinum Jubilee Function. He said that 11 parish priests, some of whom have passed away, have rendered their valuable service to the parish. Besides, a number of priests have served as assistant parish priests.  It was the leadership that was provided by the priests and cooperation of the parishioners that enabled the parish to grow materially and spiritually. The faith that has been kept alive by those priests and parishioners should continue to flourish. The Bishop further said that Christ had come to this world with a mission and He wants us to continue His mission through our good and exemplary lives.

 

Mrs. Elsie D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.  Ronald Castelino and Mrs. Nisha D’Souza.