Udupi: Fr Denis D’Sa Celebrates silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination

Udupi: The Parish Day Celebrations of the church and the silver jubilee celebrations of the priestly ordination of Fr Denis D’Sa PRO of Udupi Diocese and also parish priest of St Antony’s Church Kuntalnagar was held here on Sunday May 17.

The Solemn Eucharistic Mass was con-celebrated by Fr Denis D’Sa along with Dr Leo Corenelio Arch Bishop of Bhopal Arch Diocese, Msg Baptist Menezes Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Msgr Edward Olivera Vicar General of Jaipur Diocese, Fr Victor Machado director of Pastoral Centre Mangalore diocese, Fr Fred Mascarenhas Dean of Udupi deanery and 43 other guest priests.

In his homily Fr Fred Mascarenhas Dean of Udupi deanery highlighted the sacredness of the priestly ministry and pointed out the travails and joys of priesthood.

Following the Mass, the felicitation function was held at the Church open air stage presided over by Fr Denis D’Sa. Dr Leo Corenelio Arch Bishop of Bhopal Arch Diocese, Msg Baptist Menezes Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Msgr Edward Olivera Vicar General of Jaipur Diocese, Fr Victor Machado director of Pastoral Centre Mangalore diocese, Fr Valerian Mendonca Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and also parish priest of St Peters Church Barkur, Fr Fred Mascarenhas Dean of Udupi deanery, Mary D’Sa mother of Fr Denis, Valerian Mathais vice president of Kuntalnagar Church and other priests who are also celebrating their silver jubilee of ordination were present on the dais.

The felicitation function began with the prayer song by the former students of Sandesha Mangaluru. Valerian Mathais vice president of the church welcomed the gathering following which Fr Denis D’Sa cut the cake and the choir rendered the felicitation song trained by Fr Clement Mascarenhas.

Fr Valerian Mendonca Chancellor of the diocese delivered the Felicitation Oration in which he narrated in hilarious manner the family background, vocation, talents and priestly service of Fr Denis.

In his address, Dr Leo Cornelio appreciated the selfless service rendered by Fr Denis in his 25 years of priesthood ministry.

Msgr Baptist Menezes Vicar general of Udupi diocese released Padwacho Parjal parish bulletin. Dr Leo Cornelio honoured Fr Lesli D’Souza (Parish Priest Shankerpura) Fr Alexandar Lewis (Parish Priest Kanajar), Fr Reginald Pinto (Director Sampada Udupi), Fr Eric Crast (Parish Priest Vittla), Fr J B Saldana (Parish Priest Permannuru) and Fr Peter Mascarenhas who were also celebrating their silver jubilee of ordination on the occasion.

On behalf of the parish, Fr Denis was honoured on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his priesthood. Nelson D’Souza read out the citation covering briefly the biographical sketch and service rendered by Fr Denis in various parishes and institutions. Thereafter, Fr Denis was felicitated by the Bishop and the dignitaries on the dais with a shawl, flower bouquet, fruit tray, memento and citation. Fr Fred Mascarenhas distributed the prizes to winners in various games organised on the occasion of the Parish Day.

In his reply to the felicitation function, Fr Denis thanked God for the gift of priesthood and recalled with gratitude the help and support rendered to him by various people right from his parents, family members, teachers, and professors, Parishioners, Bishops of Mangaluru and Udupi respectively.

Roshan Sequiera compered the felicitation function and Theodore Mendonca delivered the vote of thanks. Parishioners and PPC members made smooth arrangements under the guidance of Fr Edwin D’Souza director of youth commission.

Brief Profile of Fr Denis D’Sa

Fr Denis D’Sa born in 20 September 1964 in Kallianpur. He was the fifth among 7 children 2 sons and 5 daughters of Late Salvodor D’Sa and Mary D’Sa. After completing his SSLC education realising that he had a vocation to be a priest, Denis joined St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.
Fr Denis D’Sa was ordained as a priest on May 14, 1990 by the late Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Bishop Basil D’Souza. Fr Denis served in Udyavar, Bejai, Rosariao Cathedral as assistant parish priest, Parish priest in Narampady Kasargod District, Assistant director and director in Sandesha, Sandesha, Foundation for Culture & Education (R), Mangalore, Secretary to the Karnataka Regional Council of Bishops’ Commission for Communication, PRO of Mangalore Diocese, Administrator in Fr Mullars College Mangalore, and took charge as PRO of Udupi Diocese and also parish priest of Kutalnagar in 2014.

Achievements:

• Honoured with the “Kalanidhi” Award by the Kerala State Konkani Catholic Prathisthana in the year 1998.
• Sandesha, Foundation for Culture & Education ®, was honored with Rajyotsava Award both by the State Government and District Administration in the year 2005 under his tenure.
• Sandesha cultural troupe has performed in India and abroad under his leadership.

Productions:

• MOG KOR PELEACHO; KALLIZ GAITA; PRAKAAS (Konkani Devotional songs).
• – Sandesha Digital Recording Studio which is in par with any of the recording studios in the Metros, was built and dedicated to Sandesha Foundation under his tenure.

Has directed the following:

• Cassettes & CDs :- Jaya Jaya Deva, Namma Naadu, Jagaruka Raaga, Janadani, Mana There
• Awareness songs
• Ballets: Shantala, Harmony, Ashtapushparchane
• A 90 minutes ballet “Chaitanyodaya”, staged with more than 300 artistes with multimedia (dance, drama, audio-visuals) on the occasion of the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Mangalore at the Nehru Maidan on 12th February 2012.
• Ballet: SEVA SANGAMA” on 5-1-2015, on the Occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Gerosa High School with more than 200 artistes.
• Has conducted more than 300 Seminars on Media Education, Communication, Value education, Art and Culture, Inter-religious dialogue for High school & College students, Youth & adults.

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