News: Ashish Joseph Carvalho
Photos: Roshan Madtha, Milagres & Simon Derebail
Mangaluru, Apr. 27: Diamond Pearl Jubilee of the Establishment of the Parish (80 years), Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of Rev. Fr Austin Peter Peres, Silver Jubilee of the Parish Bulletin- Derebailchem Phul, Silver Jubilee of the Editor of the Parish Bulletin and Decennial Jubilee of the Resident Priest – Rev. Gratian Alvares held at Derebail on April 27, 2019.
Rev Fr Austin Peter Peres, Parish Priest of the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail, Rev Fr Gratian Alvares, Residential Priest, Parish Pastoral Council along with Derebail Parishioners welcomed Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul Dsouza, former Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese and Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga Diocese.
The Holy Eucharist Celebration began at 05:00 PM. Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was the main celebrant. Altogether three Bishops and 14 Priests Celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao in his homily highlighted the significance and elaborated on the Celebrations of the day. He also defined the role of a priest and spoke on the mission that priests are bound to carry out. He added and explained the four blessed looks and concluded with poem on ‘Beautiful hands of a Priest’. Later in the prayers of the faithful special intentions like prayer for the clergy, prayer for peace in our country and for those who died in the recent bomb blast in Sir Lanka were offered. Many offerings were brought by the parishioners. The Eucharistic Celebration was solemnized by a choir of about 100 parishioners.
Later Mr. Edward Coelho, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed each and every one gathered for the celebration. At first Rev Fr Austin Peter Peres was felicitated for completing his 25 years as a Priest. Secondly Rev Fr Gratian Alvares was felicitated for completing his 10 years as a Priest. Thirdly Mr. Victor Correa was felicitated for serving 25 years as the Editor of ‘Derebailche Phul’.
Rev Dr Francis Serrao addressed the gathering and congratulated Fr Austin, Fr Gratian and Mr Victor Correa. Rev Dr Aloysius Paul Dsouza also addressed the gathering. Later Rev Fr Gratian while addressing the gathering thanked the almighty for His choicest blessings upon him. He also thanked the Bishop for supporting him in his mission as a Priest. He also said in his three years of service Fr Austin came across to him as a friend and a guide. He concluded by requesting the parishioners to always keep him in their daily prayers. Mr Victor Correa, Editor of ‘Derebailche Phul’ shared his 25 years of experience as an Editor. He thanked all those who supported him throughout his journey as an Editor.
Rev Dr Peter Saldanha distributed the prizes for the winners in the Writing Competition. Felicitation song composed by Mr Alwyn Dcunha was beautifully sung by the Quintuple Jubilee Choir members. Rev Fr Austin later in his speech remembered his parents and thanked them. He also thanked the Bishop and all the priests who came in his priestly life. Further thanked all the Derebail Parishioners for supporting him and requested to keep him in their prayers. Rev Dr Peter Paul in his speech said that Derebail Parishioners are always ahead in activities and congratulated Fr Austin, Fr Gratian and Mr Victor Correa.
Mrs Lizzie Fernandes, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council delivered the Vote of Thanks. The entire programme was compered by Mr Sheldon Crasta and Mr Avinash Daniel Dsouza. The programme concluded with a fellowship meal and Baila.
