Bishop Dr. Jerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi Diocese pays pastoral visit to Pangala Parish

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/Shankerpura, 31 Aug 2015: His Excellency Bishop Dr. Jerald Isac Lobo accorded a grand welcome on his pastoral visit by Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church Pangala, Shankerpura by offering him a garland of Jasmine flowers on Saturday the 29th August 2015.  A large number of parishioners were eagerly waiting to receive the bishop in front of the church as HE Bishop arrived well in time i.e. 3:30pm sharp.  He was also received by Mr. Mark Vaz Vice President of Parish Council and Ms. Simmy D’Souza, General Secretary.

 

Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello, Principal, St. John’s PU College led the procession to the church for a short prayer and welcoming ceremony inside the church.

 

Fr. Leslie D’Souza thanked the bishop for his pastoral visit to the parish and promised him all help needed and prayed for the success of the mission mainly administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to the youth and also his mission to meet and discuss various issues with the Parish Council Members and all associations of the parish.

 

The parish priest offered a candle lighted from the Pascal Candle to the Bishop who carried it to the front from which all the members of the Parish Pastoral Council lighted their candles in turn and stood  in line in front of the altar. The Bishop addressed them  and pointed out the significance of the ritual and the importance of the Parish pastoral Council in the spiritual and temporal life of a parish.

 

Bishop also briefly explained what is to be life after death. He narrated a few quotes from famous authers like B.V. Karanth who in one of books says that the life is a train journey and we have a destination to reach.  Also quoted St. Paul’s letter where is points out that we have to live for the life after death.  Next, prayers were offered to the eternal rest of the departed souls of the past parishionersA brief visit to the grave yard and prayer service followed thereafter.  Bishop also blessed all the graves on the occasion.

 

 

The second day was the day of Sacrament of Confirmation.  HE Bishop Dr. Jerald Isac Lobo administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 94 candidates during solemn mass celebrated on the second day his pastoral visit to the parish.

 

Prior to that, he gave a brief homily on holy sacrament and our life should be ready for any sacrifice and mainly he said God Wants nothing less than our blood if needed for the glory of God the Almighty, quoting from a prisoner during dictator Hitler’s rein in Germany where millions were killed.  He said life of a Catholic is not easy, its full of challenged and sacrifices and only when we face boldly we can reach the eternal glory and for that we need to be filled with Holy Spirit and only then we can stand for Christ and face any adversaries and even death.

 

The solemn Mass was concelebrated by the Bishop along with Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello.

 

Following the homily, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 94 candidates.

 

On his concluding note Bishop highlighted various projects the Diocese has been initiating for the benefit of the people.  He also emphasized the importance of family prayer daily and how important it is to read bible every day to strength our faith.  The other important issue was the education wherein our youth are lacking in acquiring government positions due to lack to qualifications like IAS, KS etc.  He emphasized the parents to encourage their children to join these courses.

 

Fr. Leslie thanked Bishop for his valuable time and efforts for his pastoral visit and also thanked all who have helped in organizing and preparing the youth for the sacrament of confirmation.