Udupi: Family members Celebrate Fr Denis D’Sa’s Silver Jubilee of Priesthood

Udupi: Fr Denis D’Sa, parish priest of St Antony’s Church Kuntalnagar and also PRO of the diocese, celebrated his silver jubilee of Priesthood with family members at his native parish, Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte here, on June 28.

Fr Denis D’Sa con-celebrated the Holy Eucharistic Mass along with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo (Bishop of Udupi), Dr Henry D’Souza (Bishop of Bellary), Dr Peter Machado (Bishop of Belgaum) and 70 other priests.

Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of St Joseph Seminary Mangaluru, in his homily highlighted the sacredness of the priestly ministry and pointed out the talents of Fr Denis D’Sa.

After the mass, a felicitation programme was held at the Milagres Tri-Centenary Hall Kallianpur. The programme began with a prayer dance by the students of Sandesha. Mary D’Sa, mother of Fr Denis, welcomed the gathering. The jubilee cake was cut by Fr Denis D’Sa along with the dignitaries on the dais. Fr Clement Mascarenhas, parish priest of St Lawrence Church Moodubelle, raised the toast.

Addressing the gathering, the Bishop of Belgaum, Dr Peter Machado, said, “When we were small, there were only black and white films. Later, Eastman colour was introduced and today, there are incredible colours. Likewise, Fr Denis is the most colourful person. God has blessed him with plenty of talents and he has utilized his talents to spread the word of God.”

Five other priests who also celebrated their Silver Jubilee of priesthood along with Fr Denis D’sa, Msgr Stany Lobo (Vicar General of Gulbarga Diocese), Fr Stany Rodrigues, Fr Ivan Madtha, Fr Dr J B Saldanha and Fr Eric Crasta, were felicitated by Bishop Dr Peter Machado on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Bishop of Bellary Fr Henry recalling a story said, “A man had diarrhea, and so he went to the doctor. It was his bad luck that there was a lady doctor in the clinic. The man felt shy to tell the doctor that he had diarrhea after having dinner last night and so he thought to explain it to the doctor in the mobile language. He said, “Doctor, I have unlimited outgoing, multi-ringtones and no balance after continuous recharge”. In the same way, he said, Fr Denis has unlimited capacity with multiple talents and works relentlessly like an ever charged person.” The Bishop also congratulated Mary D’Sa for dedicating her elder son to serve the Lord.

Bishop Henry further said that Bishop Gerald had, within a short span, changed the entire system in the diocese and made the diocese people friendly by involving lay people in the diocesan work. Bishop Henry also felicitated Mary D’Sa on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo said that Fr Denis is the Jasmine of Kallianpur which bloomed in Mangalore and has spread its fragrance in Udyavar, Bejai, Rosario Cathedral, Narampady, Sandesha, Fr Muller and now in Kuntalnagar. “Wherever he has served, he has spread the fragrance. In his 25 years of priesthood, he has been very honest, sincere and has dedicated his life to spread the good news to the people.”

Fr Gerald also said that whenever God chooses someone, he chooses the weak ones. “When Fr Denis joined the seminary, he was very weak; but now, he is filled with talents which are a gift from God. He is utilizing all his talents to spread the word of God. In all the parishes in which he has served, he has transformed the people to be good Catholics. Fr Denis himself is the word of God, he is very obedient to his elders and is blessed by God.”

Fr Denis delivering the vote of thanks said, “Whatever I am today, it is because of my ordination. My family, especially my mother. I thank my mother and if I get another chance to be born, I would like to be born to the same parents and be in the same family.”

Vinay Kumar Sorake minister for Urban Development and district minister in-charge, J R Lobo MLA Mangaluru and Ivan D’Souza MLC also participated in the programme and congratulated Fr Denis D’Sa.

Vincent Alva Pamboor compered the programme.

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