Udupi:Udupi Diocese to observe first anniversary with Thanksgiving Mass at Milagres Cathedral

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 11 Oct 2013: Udupi Diocese will be completing its first year of its formation on Tuesday, 15 October 2013 and the anniversary will be observed in a befitting manner by offering a solemn Thanksgiving Mass by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with the diocesan clergy, religious and the faithful  on the same day at 4 pm at the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. A souvenir marking the first anniversary of the foundation of the Udupi Diocese will also be relased on this occasion. This announcement was made by Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Uudpi Diocese at a Press Conference held at the Mother of Sorrows Church Conference Hall on Friday, 11 October 2013 at 11 am.

A large number of journalists from both print and electronic media attended the first ever Press Conference addressed by the Bishop since the formation of the new Udupi Diocese. The Press Conference was attended by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and Dean of Udupi Deanery and Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese.

At the outset Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo welcomed the journalists and thanked them for giving wide publicity during the inauguration of the Udupi Diocese and his installation as the first Bishop of the new Udupi Diocese. He also appreciated the contribution of the press and electronic media during the last year for covering the news regarding various activities undertaken in the diocese. He also introduced to the press Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa who has taken charge as the PRO of the Udupi Diocese. In a brief introduction, the Bishop narrated the various activities undertaken by Fr. Denis and various posts that he had held in the Mangalore Diocese.

 

In his briefing to the journalists, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa mentioned about the celebration of the first anniversary of the creation of the Udupi Diocese by a solemn Thanksgiving Mass at the Milagres Cathedral on 15 October 2013 at 4 pm and release of the souvenir marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the diocese. He cordially invited the journalists to participate in that great event.  Speaking about the Bishop, he said that Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo has been known as the ‘People’s Bishop’ as the spiritual and material welfare of the people has been his priority. Soon after his being installed as the first Bishop of the Udupi Diocese, he visited all the 48 parishes of the diocese and had interaction with the clergy and laity.

Speaking further, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa said that though during the last year many tangible results such as large buildings or other institutions may not be visible, but a sound footing has been laid by conducting the socio-economic survey of all the Catholic families so as to map out comprehensive strategies for growth and firm foundation. A number of areas for progress and development have been identified and in the coming years necessary steps would be taken to fulfill the hopes and aspirations as well as the needs of the people.

In course of his briefing, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa said that Uudpi being the ‘town of temples’ and a cosmopolitan city, the Bishop has been promoting harmony and friendship between people of different religious communities by visiting the places of worship of different religious groups and also meeting their leaders. 

Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa pointed out that the diocesan administration has been functioning efficiently and 17 Commissions involving  the clergy, religious and laymen for pastoral service have been set up. A number of lay organizations such as Catholic Sabha, Tertiary Order, Stree  Sanghattan are functioning efficiently in the diocese.

At the end of the Press Conference, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, the Vicar General proposed the vote of thanks to all the journalists and appreciated their being present in large number and thanked them the support that they had been giving to the Udupi Diocese.

 

 Udupi diocese at a glance

Population of Udupi                   11,77,908

Catholic Population                    65,634

Catholic Families                       14, 568

Diocesan Priests                        67

Relgious Priests                        15

Relgious Sisters                        256

Parishes                                   48

Deaneries                                 05

Women Religious Houses           41

Men Religious Houses                09

Shrines                                     03

Diocesan Nursery Schools          09

Diocesan Primary Schools          43

Diocesan High Schools               15

Junior Colleges                           06

Degree Colleges                         04

Post graduate Centres                 02

Students studying in diocesan
Educational Institutions                33,477

Homes for the Aged                     06

Technical Schools                        03

Hostels                                       11