Parish Day Celebration Report – St. Sebastian Church, Bendur
Mangaluru – St. Sebastian Church, situated in the heart of Bendur, celebrated its annual Parish Day on January 19th, coinciding with the Feast of St. Sebastian. The event commenced at 4:45 PM, marked by the symbolic distribution of candles to members of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), sponsors, and benefactors, acknowledging their unwavering contributions and support towards the parish community. 
The central celebration of the day, the Feast Mass, commenced at 5:30 PM and was presided over by the main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis, the Vicar of Derebail Parish. He was joined by the resident Vicar, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Souza, as well as other esteemed clergy, including Assistant Priests Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Rev. Fr. Vivek Pinto, Rev. Fr. Denzil Lobo, and Rev. Fr. Arun Lobo, who is also the Principal of Padua College. Additional priests from neighboring parishes enriched the proceedings, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared faith. In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis expounded on the theme of the day, “Let us build a parish community of hope,” urging attendees to unite in fostering hope and communal strength.
As part of the ongoing Jubilee Year celebrations, a significant ritual involved the blessing of nine crosses, which were distributed for placement in homes throughout the parish. This act served to symbolize unity and reinforce the collective faith of the community.
Following the spiritual observance, the evening transitioned into a vibrant stage program at 7:00 PM. The proceedings began with a devotional prayer dance performed by the children of the parish, which set a reverent and uplifting tone for the festivities. Vice President Mr. Vinod D’Souza then welcomed the guests and parishioners, succinctly expressing gratitude for their presence and participation. This was succeeded by a comprehensive presentation of the annual parish report by PPC Secretary, Mrs. Patsy Britto, who articulated the various activities and notable achievements of the parish over the preceding year.
One of the evening’s highlights was a specially composed group song by Rev. Fr. Walter D’Souza, written for the occasion. Parishioners harmoniously came together to perform this tribute, which resonated with the spirit of community and shared faith. A particularly poignant segment of the program was the felicitation ceremony, which honored several noteworthy individuals and organizations within the parish:
Mr. William Antony D’Souza, Mrs. Munita Veigas Rao, and St. Agnes Teachers Training Institute were recognized for their achievements in receiving the Rajyotsava Award.
Ethan Paul Mascarenhas was celebrated for setting a national record in swimming and being selected to represent India at the upcoming SAARC Games.
Dr. Denis Rodrigues and Dr. Reema Jenifer D’Silva were commended for their recent conferral of Ph.D. degrees.
Master Akin Crasta earned recognition for clinching 3rd place in the National Level Karate Championship.
Mrs. Jane Sequeira received accolades for her national-level appreciation from the Prison Ministry of India.
Joyson Sequeira and Joyline Sequeira were honored for their successes at the State Level Philatelic Exhibition.
Moreover, prizes from the various sports and cultural competitions conducted throughout the year were distributed, with championship trophies accorded to the Lotus, Ferns, and Zenia Zones for their outstanding performances in activities across the parish.
In his address, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Souza expressed profound gratitude towards all volunteers, sponsors, and parishioners, emphasizing the significance of their continued contributions to the parish community. He reiterated the importance of the Parish Day theme, fostering an atmosphere of unity and cooperation among all members.
The cultural segment of the evening featured an array of captivating performances, including an enchanting dance presented by members of the CAL, alongside a stunning display by an elders’ team, which captivated and entertained the audience. The event concluded on a delightful note with concluding remarks and a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Deepak D’Souza, Convenor of the 21 Commissions, recognizing the invaluable efforts of everyone involved in making the day a resounding success.
As the day progressed, Rev. Fr. Arun Lobo blessed the meals, inviting parishioners to partake in a communal dinner prepared diligently at the church. The seamless hosting of the celebration was managed by Ms. Melani Lisha Dsouza, who performed her duties as the Master of Ceremonies with grace and efficiency. As the festivities drew to a close, it was evident that the Parish Day celebration at St. Sebastian Church was not merely an event but a profound testament to the spirit of togetherness and enduring faith that characterizes the St. Sebastian Church community in Bendur.
