St Peter’s Church Pethri celebrates Golden Jubilee with solemnity and grandeur
Udupi: The St Peter’s Church Pethri celebrated its Golden Jubilee on Monday, December 10 with solemn Thanksgiving Mass and grand felicitation programme.
Prior to the Thanksgiving Mass, Parish Priest Fr Joseph Machado, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council Vincent D’Almeida along with Edward Larson D’Souza Co-ordinator of 18 commission and parishioners welcomed the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo along with the altar servers and priests came in a procession to the church from the hall. The solemn Thanksgiving Mass commenced at 10:00 am with Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo as the main celebrant. He was assisted by Fr Wilfred Frank, Fr Wilson D’Souza former priests of the church, Fr Joesph Machado and Fr Paul Rego Present Parish Priest.
In his homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the meaning and importance of the Jubilee by citing examples from the Old Testament. He said that the 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, Rev. Fr Joesph Machado 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 Golden Jubilee of the Parish.
Following the solemn Jubilee and annual feast mass, the stage programme commenced at 11:40 am. The felicitation programme was presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo.
In his brief message, Former Minister Pramod Madhwraj conveyed the greetings of the Golden Jubilee to all the parishioners.
Past and present ‘Gurkars’, Vice-presidents, Secretaries, Former Parish priests, sponsors and donors for the jubilee function were honoured on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Msgr Baptist Menezes expressed happiness to be part of the Platinum Jubilee celebration and appreciated the progress that the parish had made during the last 50 years.
In his presidential address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo complimented the Rev. Fr Joseph Machado and all the parishioners for organizing the Golden Jubilee Function. He said that 15 parish priests, some of whom have passed away, have rendered their valuable service to the parish. It was the leadership that was provided by the priests and cooperation of the parishioners that enabled the parish to grow materially and spiritually. The faith that has been kept alive by those priests and parishioners should continue to flourish. The Bishop further said that Christ had come to this world with a mission and He wants us to continue His mission through our good and exemplary lives.
Msgr Baptist Menezes Vicar General Udupi Diocese, Pramod Madhwaraj Ex Minister Govt of Karnataka, Sudhakar Shetty Member Zilla Panchayat, Gopi K Naik Member Taluk Panchayat, Fr Victor Fernandes parish priest Brahmavar, Sr Rose Florin Superior Brahmavar Convent, Fr Joseph Machado Parish Priest, Vincent D’Almeida vice president of Parish Pastoral Council and Prema D’Almeida, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council and others were present.
Fr Joseph Machado Parish Priest of the church welcomed the gathering. Vincent D’Almeida vice president of Parish Pastoral Council delivered the vote of thanks. Prema D’Almeida, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council presented the golden Jubilee report.