– Media News release by Fr Kenneth Crasta, Photos by Wilfred Mendonca
Alangar, May 23, 2015 : A memorial of Fr. Faustine Corti SJ a missionary was erected today at the Holy Rosary Church, Alangar. This memorial was reconstructed by using the remains of the old house in which Fr Corti had lived. Fr Corti would spend few days every month in this house and catechize the local people, of which about 50-60 families still remain. The memorial was blessed by Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru and was inaugurated by V. Rev Fr Stany D’Souza SJ, Jesuit Provincial, Karnataka. This memorial is to remind us of the great missionary zeal of Fr. Corti, which knew no limits. Keeping Naravi as the base, his missionary activities covered the surrounding areas Mudukodi, Perady, Shirthady, ALANGAR, Arva, Badyar, Venur, Madanthyar, Ujire, Penchar, Nellikar, Homapadavu etc. He also started the school of St Thomas which today has flourished into a group of educational institutions.
The formal function was presided over by Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, V Rev Fr Stany D’Souza, V Rev Fr Austin Peres (Vicar-Var Moodbidri Deanary), Rev Fr Basil Vas, Parish Priest Alangar, Rev Fr Kenneth Crasta, Asst Parish Priest Alangar Church, Sri Gerald Lobo, Vice President Alangar Church, Sri Jagadish Adhikari, Vice President Mangalore district BJP, Sri Eshwar Bhat, Sri Mahalingeshwara temple Alangar, Sri Mohammed Ali Abbas, Proprietor Abbas Saw Mills, and Sri B Vishwanatha Purohith, Sri Sri Sri Jagadguru Ayya Swamy Matt, Alangar.
The Dignitaries were welcomed by Rev Fr Basil Vas. There was a depiction of a scene from the life of Fr. Corti, presented by Sri Santhosh Rodrigues and Team, Lourdes Ward. The dignitaries spoke on the importance of living in communal harmony as brothers and sisters for the common good of all. Donors of this memorial and the dignitaries were felicitated during the programme. Sri Gerald Lobo thanked everyone for their support in making this program a success.
