Moodubelle, 07 Oct 2012: The Third Order or Tertiary members of St. Francis Assisi celebrated the feast of their patron saint on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 4 pm. The actual feast was on October 4. The feast Mass was offered by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes along with Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap) and Fr. Savio from Orissa.
In his homily, Fr. Maxim Pinto stressed upon the value of family life. Narrating the life and work of St. Francis Assisi, Fr. Maxim said that St. Francis Assisi established three orders-first for the men as priests, second for women as nuns and third for the lay people both men and women who could follow the teachings and principles of St. Francis Assisi living in family.
The entire liturgy of the feast mass was animated by the members of the Third Order. The choir was also comprised of the Tertiary members. Practically every member of the Third Order participated in the offertory procession and offered various items from fruits and vegetables to milk.
Soon after the mass, a small get-together of the Tertiary members was organized in front of the Kindergarten school. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes presided over the function. Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Maxim Pinto, Fr. Savio, Sr. Irene, Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Secretary of the Parish Council and Mrs. Rita Mathias, President of the Third Order were on the dais.
Mrs. Rita Mathias welcomed the guests with roses. Secretary Jacinta Lobo read the report of the activities of the members of the Third Order during the last year. The Third Order in Moodubelle parish completes 61 years on October 30, 2012. Presently there are 47 members among whom 40 are active as 7 members are quite old and are unable to attend regular meetings and other activities. Mrs. Helen D’Souza, Vice President of the Third Order in Moodubelle has been chosen to represent the Udupi Zone and recently she attended the inter-zonal meeting in Kerala on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of St. Clara.
In his message, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes extended the greetings of the feast of St. Francis Assisi to all the Tertiary members and stressed upon the importance of the Third Order in the family life and parish community.
Mrs. Helen D’Souza compeered the programme and Mrs. Sobina Martis proposed the vote of thanks.