Udupi/M’Belle: Overwhelming support to Mission Sunday auction fetches two lakhs of rupees

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 18 Oct 2015:The unprecedented overwhelming support to the traditional Mission Sunday auction added around two lakhs of rupees to the total collection of St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle from other sources as well such as Mission Sunday collection during the masses, coin boxes maintained by the families and the stalls that were put up by different wards on every Saturday and Sunday during the month of October. The total collection from all the sources is expected to net around four and half to five lakhs of rupees as contribution of St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle to the Mission Sunday Fund.

The auction of various articles and even live-stock such as cocks and hens as well as a good breed cow was organized soon after the 8 o’clock morning mass on Sunday, 18 October 2015. The auction went on from 9.30 to 11.15 am. A large number of parishioners and even some of the Hindu brothers participated in the proceedings.

The auctioning was carried out by Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto, Maxim D’Sa, Lloyd Rebello and Prasanna D’Souza supported by Alphonse Alva-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Henry Fernandes, Vincent Fernandes and members of ICYM. Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes-International Director of YCS/YSM and Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes(OFM Cap) were present during the auction.

The first item to be auctioned was one mura of rice which was claimed by Benedict Martis who also claimed 30 feet long pipe in a later auction. Another notable bidder was Lawrence Alva who was the highest bidder for the cow. He also cornered assorted vegetables which he donated to mid-day meal of school and also claimed cock and supplementary articles. Mrs. Meera Lob was the highest bidder for the mixer and grinder. Mukunda Kamath, as in previous years, this year too was the highest bidder for a cock and other items. Rajendra Shetty, Sudhakar Poojary and Anand were other participants in the bidding. Ivan D’Almeida and Charles Quadros also claimed certain assorted items during the auction. The ‘American Auction’ which was put into effect thrice collectively fetched Rs.1,16,000/- out of the total amount of Rs.1,95,800/-

 

The stalls put up by the Stree Sanghattan catered to the breakfast needs of those who waited as participants and spectators during the entire period of auction.

About the Mission Sunday:

World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.  

Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the previous-to-last Sunday in October. As described by Pope John Paul II, World Mission Sunday is "an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world"

Pope John Paul II has also spoken of the Propagation of the Faith’s General Fund of support, calling this a "central fund of solidarity." In a message delivered on a recent World Mission Sunday, the Pope said: "The offerings that will be collected [on World Mission Sunday] are destined for a common fund of solidarity distributed, in the Pope’s name, by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith among the missions and missionaries of the entire world."

Every year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow - as new dioceses are formed, as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ’s call to follow Him as priests, as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt, and as other areas, long suppressed, are opening up to hear the message of Christ and His Church. That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics from around the world is so urgently needed. Offerings from Catholics in the United States, on World Mission Sunday and throughout the year, are combined with offerings to the Propagation of the Faith worldwide.

Mission dioceses, about 1,100, receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools. These needs are matched with the funds gathered in each year. The world’s national directors of the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests, matching the funds available with the greatest needs. These funds are then distributed, in their entirety, to mission dioceses throughout the world.