Milagres Cathedral celebrates Platinum Jubilee with solemnity and grandeur
Udupi: Solemnity and grandeur marked the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Milagres Cathedral building on Monday, December 12.
Prior to the Eucharistic Jubilee mass, the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Inaugurated and Blessed the Church newly-built Facade and honoured the donors.
The Solemn Eucharistic mass was concelebrated by the Bishop along with Fr Stany B Lobo Rector of the Cathedral Fr Wilfred Lewis, Fr George Lewis, Fr Vincent Fernandes as well as other priests.
In his homily, Bishop Gerald highlighted the meaning and importance of the jubilee by citing examples from the Old Testament. He said that Jubilee includes five important elements. They are: Remembrance, Return to God, Reconciliation with God and fellow beings, living according to the will of God and Jubilation or celebration. He further said that the jubilee year is the gift of God. While celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the parish, the parishioners should remember the sacrifices that their ancestors did in order to build not only the church but the parish community and thank God for His blessings in bringing prosperity to the community.
At the end of the mass, Fr Stany B Lobo expressed gratitude to Bishop Gerald Lobo and all the priests who had participated in the solemn Jubilee mass. He also thanked all those who had helped in making arrangements for the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of the Parish.
Following the solemn Jubilee mass a stage programme commenced at the Milagres Tri-centenary Hall under the presidentship of the Bishop. The programme began with welcome dance. Fr Stany B Lobo welcomed the gathering.
In his address, J R Lobo MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency conveyed the greetings of the jubilee to all the parishioners and appreciated the strong faith that many of the families profess in Jesus and the church.
Ivan D’Souza Chief whip of the Legislative council said that the service of Christians in the field of Education and health is remarkable. The state government has allocated Rs 125 crore for the development of the Christian community. We have urged the government to convert the Christian Development Council into a corporation and allocate at least Rs 300 crore for the development of the community in the 2017-18 budgets.
Oscar Fernandes Rajya Sabha member, Dinakar Babu president Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Janardhan Tonse, Wilson Rodrigues, TP President Nalini Pradeep Rao Constituency conveyed the greetings of the jubilee to all the parishioners and appreciated the progress that the parish had made during the last 75 years.
Ivan D’Souza Chief whip of Legislative council released the platinum jubilee memorial souvenir. Donors, contractors, Architect were honoured on the occasion. Prof. Hilda Rodrigues and Roshan read out the donors list.
M A Gafoor Chairman Minority development board, Pushpa Kotian president Kallianpur Gram Panchayat, Fr Rolwin Aranha and Fr Anil Prakash D’Silva assistant parish priest of the cathedral were also present.
Walter Cyril Pinto vice president parish pastoral council, Joyce Pinto and Dr Nisha Rebello compered the programme.