Parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church Pangla accord a hearty welcome to New Parish Priest

By Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 03 Jun 2017: The exited parishioners of Pangla Parish accorded a hearty welcome to their new Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves who arrived from Kemmanu Parish. A large number of Parishioners along with outgoing Parish Priest Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro (Vicar Var- Shirva Warado), Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal – St. John’s PU College) Vice President Mr. Mark Vaz and members of Parish Council were present during the welcoming ceremony. Fr. Leslie accorded a warm welcome when Fr. Ferdinand arrived along with a number of his parishioners with a Jasmine garland followed by Mr. Mark Vaz and Ms. Clara Mendonsa (Secretary- Parish Council).

 

Fr. Ferdinand was led to the alter in a procession and a few religious rituals were followed performed by Fr. Stany Tauro such as handing over Holy Bible, 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 at the community hall of the parish to Fr. Ferdinand.

 

 

Vice President Mark Vaz accorded a warm welcome to Fr. Ferdinand and to the guest/Parishioners of Kemmanu and the other guests present on the occasion namely Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello, and guest priests Rev. Fr. Herald Pereira, Rev. Fr. Victor D’Souza.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Tauro said that it is sad that Pangala Parishioners have to say Good Bye to Fr. Leslie as he has been loved so much by Parishioners for his hard work, devotion, dedication for his parish, educational institutions and over all discipline. When it comes to cleanliness of the church surroundings the Pangala Church is the best. Everything is well maintained and orderly, He said when he asked Fr. Leslie how he felt that he is leaving Pangala Parish, Fr. Leslie replied it seems “I’m very happy to leave” what he meant was he is well satisfied with his work and has fulfilled all duties the Bishop has bestowed upon him and above all he has the self satisfaction of completing his Mission as God has directed and blessed him. He further said there was only one Doctor priest among 11 parishes of Shirva warado and i.e. Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza and he humerously said what will become of our health God only knows after Fr. Leslie leaves to Mount Mary Church Santekate on 5th June. Fr. Tauro also welcomed Fr. Ferdinand and said that the parishioners of Pangala are kind hearted and loving and hence he will have a very comfortable stay in Pangla to continue his mission. He also wished him all the best.

 

In response Fr. Ferdinand spoke and said that “I thank God for blessing me to complete His mission for 32 years in various parishes and institutions. I thank the Udupi Bishop for entrusting me the Parish of Pangla which is quite large in terms of populations, educational institutions and various parish activities. I thank you dear Pangla Parishioners for according me a warm and hearty welcome. St. John the Evangelist taught to love and I am sure I will be fulfilling God’s mission in this parish with the loving people like you.” He further said that the Kemmanu parishioners were bit shocked when they heard of his transfer and didn’t want him to leave. But when they came to know that he is being transferred to Pangla Parish, the parishioners and the Parish Council gave their consent to leave him as they know the loving nature of Pangla parishioners. He thanked each and everyone from his Kemmanu Parish and also promised to work zealously in his new Parish Pangla.

 

 

Fr. Leslie in his speech said that everything has to work as per God’s plan. He stay in Pangla is not permanent. “I have fulfilled my duties and now I have to leave to continue His mission elsewhere. Without God’s blessing nothing is possible. Whatever progress is done in Pangla Parish is not his work but by Parishioners. He said in his usual sentence “Tumcho sahark natilo tar hya padryabak Bindi Solai karunk jainanth." What he meant was it was due to your great support, encouragement, love and care I could fulfill all the duties entrusted to me with care and attention. Further he said, that he is not sad to leave but actually Happy to leave as he has inner satisfaction of fulfilling his Mission God has entrusted to him. The priests have to do their work with happiness be it any parish. They are not come to settle in one parish but have to move on and move with happiness to the next parish and not in sad. He thanked each and everyone for supporting him, caring and loving him during his seven year tenure as Parish Priest of the Pangla Parish. He will continue to pray and also asked parishioners to pray for him to continue God’s mission in future. He also accorded a warm welcome to Fr. Ferdinand and said that Pangla people are good and kind hearted and will look after him very well. He wished him all the best.

 

Ms. Clara Mendonsa proposed the vote of thanks in which she praised Fr. Leslie for his hard work and dedication and love to parish. She said looking at the educational institutions and their results and progress, one can make out the hard work and dedication put on to these institutions by Fr. Leslie along with Fr. Vincent Coelho. Bishop has not assigned any Asst. Parish Priest to our Parish but Fr. Leslie alone managed everything to the perfection and built this parish and institutions single handed. It is very sad indeed he is leaving us. We thank you Fr. Leslie and I wish you good health. You have only 3 days rest before you take up your next mission; please take rest as you have worked enough for our parish. THANK YOU FR. LESLIE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

Rev. Fr. Jencil Alva (Newly ordained priest from Pangla) conducted the welcoming ceremony.