75,000 Square Feet Pendal to be erected for Episcopal Ordination of New Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha on 15 September was Blessed by present Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza on Monday, 27 August in the Rosario Cathedral Premises. The pendal accommodating around 12,000 people is water-proof in case it rains- and also a 4000 sq ft Stage will be be set up, with contract taken up by Rose Arrangers, Vamanjoor, Mangaluru.
Mangaluru: 24 hours after the office for the new bishop’s ordination committee was inaugurated at Rosario Cathedral on Sunday, August 26 by Oscar Fernandes, MP and former union minister and blessed by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru, inn the presence of MLC Ivan D’souza, former MLA J R Lobo, M A Gafoor, Chairman, Minority Committee, few MCC Coporators, Fr Vijay Victor, PRO, Mangaluru diocese, among many other committee members of Episcopal Ordination of New Bishop celebration, this morning, Monday 27 August at 10 am, the blessing of the Pendal to be erected for the Episcopal Ordination of New Bishop celebration was organized by the Celebration committee.
Just like any other big project/celebration that takes place in Catholic Community, it is customary to bless it before it is launched- and here in this case, after the office for the new bishop’s ordination committee, the committee decided to bless the 75 thousand square feet pendal which will be set up for the Episcopal Ordination of New Bishop Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha, which was blessed today by the present Mangaluru Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza. A bevy of Catholic faithful along with many other dignitaries gathered in the Rosario Cathedral portico for the blessing of the Pendal ceremony.
YCS/YSM Director of Mangalore Diocese Fr Rupesh Ashok Madtha welcomed the gathering and briefed about the ceremony, followed by a Gospel reading by Fr Vincent Monteiro, the new Parish Priest of St Sebastian Church, Bendore, Mangaluru. The Bishop then carried on with the prayers and blessed the arena were the pendal is supposed to be erected in the Cathedral premises. Just like they lay a brick during a foundation stone ceremony of a new building, here as a symbol a arecanut tree was planted/erected in the ground by the Bishop, along with all other dignitaries present-following which the women showered flowers at the site. This was followed by a short formal programme held at the Cathedral mini hall.
The programme began with welcome address by Fr Onil D’Souza-Director, Sr Anthony’s Charitable Institutions and Logistics Convener of this Episcopal Ordination celebration. The chief guest for the occasion was MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, with other dignitaries seated on the dais namely- Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, Bishop and Apostolic Administrator, MLC Ivan D’souza; Former MLA J R Lobo, Louis Pinto- Co-Convener, Fr Onil D’souza- Logistics Convener, Fr J B Crasta-Parish Priest of Rosario Cathedral, and Chief Coordinator of the event, MCC Area Ward Corporator Latheef, and Advocate M P Noronha- Co-Convener. MCC Corporators Naveen D’souza and Asha D’silva also graced the occasion.
Addressing the audience J R Lobo said, “Any time a Catholic event takes place in Mangaluru it gets a good coverage and recognition worldwide- and so has been this event. Even though Catholics are very low in population in the Nation, but Mangaluru as it is called as “Rome of the East” has a large population of Catholics, and Catholics are considered as peace-loving people who look for harmony in the society. It’s nice to have a non-Catholic person to grace this occasion, which will strengthen the ties and relationship between Catholics and non-Catholics so that we all can live in peace and harmony. We should be thankful to our outgoing Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius for his strong leadership. We should appreciate his efforts to welcome the new Bishop in a grand manner.”
MLC Ivan D’souza also speaking said, “22 Years ago when our present Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza celebrated His Episcopal Ordination at this Cathedral, I was an active organizing committee member. Our Bishop is not only the Bishop of Catholic, but he has proved that he was the Bishop of everyone in the community, through His involvement in various projects, issues, and commitments. Bishop is a substitute for God, and our Bishop has proved to be so. While he retires after 22 years of dedicated and committed service to the Mangaluru Diocese, we need to appreciate His hard work and sacrifice, and compliment Him for being a successful and much loved Bishop”.
Chief guest MP Nalin Kumar Kateel addressing the audience said, “Like in the Dasa’s Bhajana it is said “Idu bhagya idu bhagya idu bhagyavayya…” meaning “This is fortune, this is fortune, this is fortune”, the singing of bhajans at (about) the feet of the Lord Padmanabha is joy”, I am indeed fortunate to be here as a chief guest to grace such a memorable programme. Even though there were hardly any Catholics in the village I grew up, but my close relationship with Catholics started during my school/college days at a Catholic institution. Whereas a politician needs the luck to be successful, but Our Bishop needs no luck but due to his hard work and dedication he has gained success and earned name from Catholic Faithful. The Episcopal Ordination of New Bishop should not be considered as an event only for Catholics but for all communities irrespective of religion. I will render my help anytime the organizing committee of this celebration seeks, that’s my promise”
Finally, Bishop Dr Aloysius speaking said, “I am overwhelmed to have a non-Catholic chief guest to grace this moment, which will create a good relationship with other communities. I thank everyone for their support during my 22 years of tenure as Bishop, even though I was supposed to retire at the age of 75 as per the rules, but I had the privilege of having extra two years to serve you all. I am 77 years old now. We should all know that the Episcopal ordination of the new Bishop is not only important to Christians, instead the entire state is looking forward to this event. Hence, we have to organize it in a very meaningful way. It is a joyful event for us. Through this event, we should glorify the Almighty. By His grace only, we can hold this event without any issues. So we should take this event as service and mission null by the Lord.”
Fr Vijay Victor, PRO, Mangaluru diocese rendered the vote of thanks, while the programme was null by co-convener Fr Rupesh Madtha. Sushil Noronha will also play an important role as a co-convener looking after arrangements/volunteers etc
