Udupi/M’Belle: Good Response from Parishioners for Mission Sunday Auction

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 20 Oct: World over Mission Sunday is observed on the third Sunday in the month of October. This Sunday is marked by prayers and offerings in the form of material and money for supporting the mission works especially in the backward regions of the world.

 

This year, the Mission Sunday is being observed on 20 October 2019.  It’s the one Sunday in the year when the entire global Church comes together to support mission. And every single donation from these worldwide Masses goes to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. It was created by Pope Pius XI in 1926 as the day of prayer for missions. Message of Holy Father Pope Francis on the World Mission Sunday is “Baptized and Sent : The Church of Christ on Mission in the World”.

 

In various churches in Udupi Diocese, parishioners have been working hard to collect donations and funds by keeping stalls on Saturdays and Sundays in Church premises which have been patronized by the parishioners themselves. Donations have been collected through mission boxes and offerings on Saturday and Sunday Masses on 19 and 20 October 2019 meant for Mission Sunday. In many churches articles donated by parishioners are being auctioned and the amount collected is added to the Mission Sunday Collection.

 

 

In St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, the auction of various articles donated by the parishioners were auctioned soon after 8 am mass on Sunday, 20 October 2019 from 9 am to 10.30 am. The articles included coconuts, tender coconuts, varieties of vegetables, clothes including sarees and shirts, perfumes, one water pump, fan, coffee-maker and livestock including cocks, hens and even a goat.

 

After introductory remarks by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest, the auctioning was conducted by Maxim D’Sa, Nevil D’Souza and Prashant D’Souza. Vincent Fernandes-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Latha D’Mello-Secretary, Gerald Fernandes, Mrs Nancy Aranha and Mrs. Jyothi and members of ICYM assisted during the auction. Fr. Jithesh Castelino-Assistant Parish Priest and Fr. John Baptist Menezes-Rector of Diocesan Minor Seminary were also present. 

 

The auctioning was conducted in two methods-normal auctioning and American auctioning. At the end of the auctioning an amount of around Rs. 2,25,000/- was collected which will be added to the amount collected through other sources and will be sent to the diocese.

 

There was a stall with varieties of snacks and tea which was patronized by parishioners soon after the mass for breakfast.

 

At the end of the auctioning, Fr. Jithesh Castelino thanked the parishioners for their support and participation in the Mission Sunday auctioning.

 

The parishioners of Moodubelle had been in the forefront in supporting the cause of Mission Sunday. On every Saturday and Sunday from the Month of September different wards of the parish had been keeping stalls to raise funds. The response of the parishioners for the Mission Sunday auctioning was quite encouraging.