Bishop gone Good Samaritan Feeding the Hungry Fishermen Families during Lockdown

Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha gone Good Samaritan Feeding the Hungry Fishermen Families during Lockdown, on Tuesday, 31 March

Mangaluru: In Bible, (Matthew 25:35-40 New International Version) it is said, ” For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’- and quoting Saint Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor? It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”- and these quotes/words rightly fit as to what Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha-the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese did this afternoon (31 March) feeding lunch to nearly 300 folks of the fishermen families, who have their dwelling along the seashore, in Hoige Bazar, Mangaluru.

It is learnt that all these families hail from Tamil Nadu, and have been living in Mangaluru for years involved in the fishing industry, either working on the boats, fish meal companies, prepare dry fish etc- and due to the recent lockdown, with fishing industry closed, they have been left helpless with no income, to buy the commodities to prepare their meals and breakfast. Sources reveal when the Tamil Nadu government had asked the District Administration to take care of these Tamilian families, the Admin did agree in providing them the basic commodities and had asked a few NGO’s if they could help out in providing meals in between.

And the Bishop of Mangaluru Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha took up the gauntlet in providing lunch for these needy fishermen families this afternoon, with the help of White Doves- an NGO that takes care of the destitute, managed by its founder  Corrine Rasquinha. Bishop sponsored nearly 200 food packets comprising of Rice and Veg curry, palya, prepared at Father Muller Hospital Kitchen, while the other 100 food packets comprising of Rice, daal, spinach, and Chicken Sukka was taken care by White Doves- and the meal did put a smile on these hungry people, during this time of lockdown- and it was indeed a blessing to the Bishop and Corrine Rasquinha from these families for their kind gesture and help in time of need.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean Bishop said, “Love is the Best Gift You Can Give to Others. The concern of every religion and every community is to eradicate poverty and hunger. We Christians, have a special mission and responsibility in this regard. Every person, especially the poor in society deserves respect and dignity. Jesus had great love and concern for the poor, it is also mentioned in the Bible that the poor, sick and marginalized are very close to Jesus. We should respect every person especially the poor and treat them equally and not discriminate against them. We should inspire and motivate all to work for the poor. Service to the needy is like doing God’s work, and during this lockdown, when many can’t afford food, those who have enough should come forward and share with these needy”.

Therefore, we also need to follow in the footsteps of the Bishop and see what we can do to the people in need at this juncture. The joy of being able to give someone in this time of pandemic is priceless. The satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others cannot be overstated. Knowing that you have helped make someone else’s life a little brighter and better is a special feeling and one that will last with you for a long time. And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy. “Do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 in Bible ). Man has to live for others, and What good you do, you’re doing for others.

In conclusion, once again quoting Saint Mother Teresa, “I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did? Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin”. Therefore, open up your hearts, come forward and feed or help those in need during this lockdown. Thank You.