Bishop Dr Peter Inaugurates Newly Built Home for the aged ‘Sevanilaya’
Mangaluru: Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru, blessed the newly built home for the aged ‘Sevanilaya’ and the new convent and chapel belonging to Sisters Helpers of Mount Rosary at Lower Bendur on Wednesday, December 12.
The bishop blessed the new building and later celebrated the thanksgiving mass as the main celebrant.
After the mass, a short stage programme was held. Fr Vincent Monteiro, parish priest, Bendur Church, Sr Precilla D’Mello, superior general, Sisters, Helpers of Mount Rosary, Sr Asha, superior, Christina D’Souza, wellwisher of Helpers of Mount Rosary, were present on the dais.
Delivering the presidential address the Bishop said, “It is good news to the diocese that Sisters of Mount Rosary have opened their second convent. At the same time, they have decided to serve the elderly which is the need of the hour. By our good deeds, we can represent God. By this, we can convert ourselves as ambassadors of service, charity and love. I congratulate the Sisters of Mount Rosary for their new home and the old age home. I assure all support for them in their future mission.”
In her welcoming speech, Sr Precilla said, “Helpers of Mount Rosary, a religious congregation of the Diocesan Right was founded 28 years ago, by Msgr. Edwin C. Pinto at Alangar. In 2005, the Pope declared our congregation as a Religious congregation of the diocese. Today we have opened another convent here. Lucy Sequiera and her sister Agnes Lobo have donated this land to our congregation as a token of gratitude for our service to them. Their close friend Christina D’Souza and her husband helped them to hand over the property to us. As per their last wish, we have constructed an old age home called Sevanilaya here. With the support of the parish priest of Bendur and parishioners and many other donors from Mangalore and other places and the sacrifices of our sisters, our dream has become a reality today. Here we assure all types of services for elderly people as well as spiritual and community services.”
Wishing the sisters, Fr Vincent said, “For the past one year the Sisters of Mount Rosary are rendering their services to the Bendur parish. Within a short time, they have won the hearts of the people. Now they are going to start their old age home in the city. I wish them all the success in their new mission. At the same time, I congratulate them on their new convent.”
Late Lucy Sequiera and late Agnes Lobo are the donors of the land.
The bishop was felicitated by the superior general. Christine D’Souza, wife of late Christopher D’Souza and Mark D’Souza Contractor were also honoured by the Bishop.
Sr Asha delivered the vote of thanks. Fr Alwyn Serrao, principal, Padua College; Fr Richard Coelho, director, Fr Muller Charitable Institutions and Fr Rohan, Fr Walter D’Mello, Judicial Vicar. Were present. Naveen D’Souza, chairman for social justice for health and education & secretary for KPCC. Arun Mendes and Sunil Mendes and many wellwishers of the sisters, the elderly of the home, Sevanilaya were also present.