Udupi: Family Life Service Centre JIVIT, Family Life Commission of the Diocese organized a diocese level Married Couple Day at Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte, Kallianpur here on February 17.
The day long programme began with the Eucharistic Mass concelebrated by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Fr Fredrick Mascarenhas (Dean of Udupi Deanery), Fr Anil D’Souza (Dean of Kundapur Deanery), Fr Valerian Mendonca (Chancellor of Udupi Diocese), Fr Philip Neri Aranha (parish priest of Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte) and other priests of the diocese.
In his homily, the bishop said that God builds the foundation for a family on the wedding day. “A married couple should respect each other. When a woman loves her husband, it means that she loves herself; likewise when a man loves his wife, he loves himself. Love is the foundation of a married life. God did not promise us that love would be easy. There are going to be times when you are unhappy. There are going to be times when your spouse is unhappy. But, God says love is a long suffering.”
During the mass, couples renewed their wedding vows and later, the bishop prayed for the nearly 360 couples of the diocese and sprinkled holy water on them.
After the mass, a felicitation programme was held at Mount Rosary Millennium Hall. Fr Chetan Lobo welcomed the gathering. This was followed with a prayer song. Students of Mount Rosary English School then performed a dance.
The youngest married couple and the oldest married couple who completed their golden jubilee wedding anniversary cut the cake with enthusiasm. The bishop along with the clergy inaugurated the programme by lighting candles. Fr Anil D’Souza raised the toast.
Msgr. Dr Baptist Menezes (Vicar General of Udupi Diocese) gave a meaningful advise which was focused on fidelity of the wedding, responsibility, respect, honour and love. He gave certain examples of a successful wedding life. He said that the huge gathering of married couples here should be appreciated.
The bishop launched the diocesan Family Life Commission website www.jivitudupi.in on the occasion.
Fr Herald Periera of SCC conducted spot games for the couples. All resource persons of the diocese were honoured with mementos by the bishop during the occasion.
Leslie Aroza (Assistant Director of Family Welfare Commission of the diocese) compered the programme and also delivered the vote of thanks.