News: Vincent Mascarenhas, Moodbidri
Dec. 23, 2016: Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop of Mangalore celebrated the Holy Mass for the inmates of St Anthony’s Charity Institutes on 23-12-2016. He then distributed kuswar and gifts to the inmates followed by distribution of grocery items to the HIV affected family. He also presented a cheque to a needy family from Pump well towards construction of their house.
In his Christmas message he said that the poor and needy need not feel sad or discouraged because there is no one to care for them. On the contrary the Bishop said that the poor and needy are also the children of God and they are dear to Him. Jesus came into this world precisely to demonstrate this truth that God truly cares for them. Jesus has also called us His followers to reach out to the needy ones because in them He truly lives. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” Mt 25:40.
St Anthony’s Charity Institutes started in 1898 at the moment is a home to 400 destitute. The Institutes takes care of their needs with no charges. The Bishop today hosted the lunch for the inmates to share his joy of his triple jubilee(Platinum jubilee of life, Golden jubilee of priesthood and two decades of Episcopal Ordination). Earlier during the day the Bishop also blessed the crib prepared at the entrance of St Anthony’s Ashram.
Fr Onil D’Souza the Director of the Institutes welcomed the guests and thanked them for their participation. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the Diocese; Fr Francis D’Souza the Administrator of the Institutes; Fr Peter Gonsalves the Asst Director; Mr Marcel Monteiro and Mr Archie Pais the Advisory Committee members of the Institutes were present. Mr Prem Kumar and his team organized the choir.
