Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo given warm welcome on his Pastoral Visit to St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 19 Oct 2024: Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo who is on a three-days long official Pastoral Visit was warmly welcomed and received at the main entrance of the  St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, 19 October 2022 at 05.00pm pm by Fr. George D’Souza-Parish Priest, Fr. Rickson Monteiro-Assistant Parish Priest, Pritish D’Sa-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Charles Quadros-Secretary of the PPC, Mrs. Gracy Rebello-Convener of the 20 Commissions, Sr. Bertina-Superior of the Loreto Convent  and Fr. Charles Furtado-Rector of Assisi Nilaya by offering him jasmine flower garlands and flower bouquets. Thereafter, he was taken in procession to the church accompanied by the band from St. Lawrence English Medium School.

 

On reaching the main altar, Bishop Gerald Lobo knelt in front of the altar as the choir sang appropriate hymns for the occasion. After reciting the prayer for the Bishop, the Parish priest, Fr. George D’Souza paid respect to the Bishop by incensing him. Thereafter, the Bishop sprinkled Holy water on the faithful within the church. 

 

The next important protocol of the ceremony was that Fr. George D’Souza   brought a Crucifix to the Bishop which he reverently kissed. Thereafter, Fr. George D’Souza lighted a candle from the flame of the Pascal Candle and handed it over to the Bishop. All the members of the Parish pastoral Council lighted their individual candles from the one held by the Bishop and stood in line in both sides of the Bishop facing him. 

This was followed by the readings from the Holy Scriptures as prelude to the remembrance and praying for all those parishioners who have passed away. 

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo in his homily, pointed out the passages from the Old Testament that compared the life of a human being to that of blooming flower that withers away in the evening, the grass that dries during summer, the morning dew that disappears with the sunrise and the water bubble that burst out within a short period. Narrating the passages from the  Holy Gospel, Bishop Gerald Lobo emphasized the fact that there is life after death as promised by Jesus Christ Himself. He cited the examples of Jesus raising the widow’s son at Naim and Lazarus from the dead.  By Himself rising from the dead, Jesus proved His Divinity and hope of life after death. 

 

Following the homily by the Bishop and all the faithful went in procession to the cemetery where the Bishop conducted the prayer service and blessed the graves of the parishioners who had passed away and resting in the cemetery.

 

Ms. Ceyona D’Souza narrated the proceedings of the service in the Church and the cemetery. 

 

At 06.00pm, Bishop Gerald Lobo instructed the candidates receiving the sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, 20 October 2024.