Our Lady of Lourdes Church celebrates Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque’s Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee at Tirthahalli
Shivamogga: The faithful of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli celebrated their Parish Priest Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque’s Silver Jubilee on May 27th.
On May 27th at 5 pm Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque celebrated thanksgiving Holy Eucharist together with Silver Jubilarians Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza. The Clergy of the Diocese concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga was present for the occasion. He also preached a homily based on John 21:15-19. He explained in his homily how to be faithful to the call and mission given by Jesus. The role of a priest is to accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey. Today we have gathered in gratitude to thank the Lord for his marvellous blessings for the Silver Jubilarian in his Priestly Journey. A large number of Religious Sisters and faithful were present for the Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist.
After the Mass, a felicitation program was organised by the faithful of Tirthahalli in the hall. Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Kable, Hosanagara Taluk, led the felicitation program.
Together with Jubilarian Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, Jubilarians classmates Fr Franklin D’Souza, Fr Lancy D’Souza, and from the family, Mr Lancy Albuquerque, Brothers of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque were on the Dias.
Parish Pastoral Council Secretary Mr Ovin D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza spoke felicitation words for Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He narrated the Priestly Journey and dedication of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He said that his simplicity, serenity, humility, and sincerity in his personal as well as in his mission have inspired many. His deep faith and Prayer life is a role model for all. He thanked his family for inculcating values and ethics in his life. He appreciated his passion for devotional music. Being a musician Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque travelled all around the Diocese and has led feast choirs in almost every Parish of the Diocese. He is also the editor of “Stuti” (The Praise) book which contains devotional Hymns in the Diocese of Shimoga.
Then Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza felicitated Fr Stephen Albuquerque and his Brother Mr Lancy Albuquerque.
On behalf of the Parishioners, Parish Finance Council Secretary Mr Anthony D’Souza read felicitation words and then the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, and Religious Sisters felicitated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque with a Shawl, garland, and Peta and presented him a Silver Rosary on behalf of the Parishioners.
Parishioners also felicitated Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza as they celebrated their Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee. Mr Jayant Daniel read the felicitation words for Fr Franklin D’Souza and Mr Ashish D’Souza read the felicitation words for Fr Lancy D’Souza. Then PPC members and PFC members honoured them with a Shawl, garland, Peta, and a memento.
ICYM President Mr Ashish D’Souza and members led the felicitation song for the Jubilarians.
Parishioners also celebrated the Decennial Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Francis Serrao SJ by cutting the cake. Mrs Precilla Pinto PPC member read the felicitatory words for the Bishop and then they honoured him with a Shawl, garland, and a peta.
In his message, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ congratulated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque for his dedicated mission to the Diocese of Shimoga. He appreciated his services as Consultor, Chancellor of the Diocese as well as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He said that Fr Stephen Albuquerque is a role model in his Priestly mission. People look up to such priests in the Church. He appreciated his love for the music. He thanked Fr Stephen Albuquerque for training at least 100 people in music in the Diocese. He also thanked his Mother Emiliana Albuquerque, his Father Late Mr Elias Albuquerque, and his siblings for giving a great gift to the Diocese of Shimoga.
He thanked the Parishioners for felicitating him on his Decennial Episcopal Consecration as Bishop. He asked them to pray for him too.
Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque in his address thanked Fr Paul Crasta, Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli for meticulously planning and organising the Felicitation program on his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee together with PPC and PFC. He thanked God for the abundance of grace that he experienced in his life. He appreciated the parishioners for their love for priests and the Diocese. He thanked everyone for making his day.
Mr Prithviraj Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Lancy D’Souza led the grace before the meals.
Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque hails from Sr. Lawrence Church, Bondel, Diocese of Mangalore. He was born on August 12, 1972. He is the fourth son of Late Mr Elias Albuquerque and Mrs Emiliana Albuquerque. His primary education is at St. Lawrence Higher Primary School, Bondel. He completed High school at MGC School, Bondel, and PUC at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.
In 1990 he joined the Diocese of Shimoga. From 1990 to 1991 he did his one-year Minor Seminary at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Bannimantap, Mysore. From 1991 to 1994 he did his Philosophy at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. Same time he completed his Bachelor of Arts at Bangalore University.
From 1994 to 1994 he did his regency at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli under the guidance of the Late Fr Joe L. C. Pinto.
From 1995 to 1998 he completed his Theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. After completing his formation at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru he was ordained as Deacon in 1999. Then as a Deacon, he served at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Channagiri.
He was ordained on May 19th, 1999 by Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, then Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore.
After his Ordination he Served at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga as Assistant Parish Priest from 1999 to 2001.
From 2001 to 2006, as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, Old Town, Bhadravati.
From 2006 to 2012, as the Mission Director of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Channagiri.
From 2012 to 2018, as Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, Jogfalls.
From 2018 to 2022, as Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church, Sharavathinagar.
From 2022 to date he has been serving as Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli.
At present, he is also the Chancellor of the Diocese and Consultor.