Family of 5 commissioned to be missionary to Malawi, Southeast Africa
Courtesy: Mr Michael D’Souza, Derebail
MANGALURU, JUNE 09: Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) of Mangalore Diocese
witnessed the commissioning of Mr Jeswin Castelino from Derebail Parish and his
wife Mrs Lavisha Saldanha along with their three children, Joanna, Jordan and
Leanna to go to Malawi, SouthEast Africa as full-time Missionary on Saturday, June
04, 2022 here in Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre, Mangalore
Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore celebrated the Holy
Eucharist. Fr Tom D'Souza SJ, Jesuit Missionary, Gulbarga Diocese, Fr Anil Roshan
Lobo, Rector, Propaedeutic Seminary, Karnataka Region, Fr Anil D'Souza, Director,
Family Life Service Centre and Spiritual Director, MFC Mangalore and Fr Victor
D'Mello and Fr Santosh Rodrigues, Ex-Spiritual Directors, MFC Mangalore were co-
celebrants.
In his address, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha reflected on the MFC theme for the year
‘Go Beyond’. The theme is derived from the verse “Rejoice always, pray constantly,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1
Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
The Bishop, in his message, reinforced the importance of going beyond our comfort
zones to be heralds of the good news of Christ. He encouraged members to fulfil
their calling as individuals and as families to serve with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Fr Victor D'Mello reflected on his journey with the community over the past 20 years
and the work done to renew families in Mangalore and across the country. He
appreciated the families who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to the work of the
Gospel both in and outside the diocese.
MFC, formerly known as CFC or Couples for Christ was initiated in Mangalore in the
year 2003 in response to the invitation of the Bishop of Mangalore under the
initiative of Fr Victor D’Mello, the then director of Family Life Service Centre. Fr
Victor D’Mello along with couples from CFCI Mumbai, was instrumental for the initial
formation and growth of CFCI in Mangalore and also in the Syro-Malabar Diocese of
Kanjirapally, Kerala.
The commissioning ceremony also included the honouring of Mr Jeswin and Mrs
Lavisha’s parents for instilling the missionary zeal in their children. The Bishop
exhorted the community to bring forth many more missionary families to continue
the work of evangelization and defending Catholic faith, family and life across the
world.
