Sodality of Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Family Day 2018
Mangaluru: The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (popularly called Gentlemen’s Sodality) celebrated FAMILY DAY 2018 on August 26. This annual feature of over 15 years began with the Holy Eucharist at the St Joseph’s Church, Jeppu. The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop-designate of Mangalore Diocese, Fr Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest, Jeppu and Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, Rector, St Aloysius Institutions and the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Sodality. The Sodality Choir enhanced the spiritual fervour during the service with melodious hymns.
The social function that followed in Maria Jayanthi Mandir was well attended by members of the Sodality and their families. Msgr. Peter Paul Saldanha in his message appreciated the charitable works of the Sodality in reaching the poor and marginalized in the educational and medical fronts. He stressed that the vertical relationship with God should be supplemented by horizontal one with fellow humans. Fr Dionysius Vaz in his message highlighted the need for amity among members of a family, especially between the couple. The relation must be one of courtesy, gratitude and remorse.
Two of the Sodalists Mark Rodrigues and Dr Antony Mariadoss were honoured on this occasion. The former for his regularity in attending the meetings despite being ninety-four years old and the latter for his yeomen service in the field Mathematics. Master Angelo Sucheth Noronha, Ligoury Fernandes and Sushil Noronha were felicitated respectively for academics, highest attendance and for introducing the highest number of candidates to the Sodality.
Five widows of the departed sodalists were special guests and were presented with a rose each. The members and their family entertained the gathering with their lively singing. Students of St Aloysius College who are members of the Sodality Choir presented melodious Konkani numbers. A hilarious skit by Nikhil D’Souza and Sushil Noronha enthralled the audience.
The entire function was meticulously compered by Seema Tauro.