Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 30 : Parish Community Day was celebrated at St Francis Xavier Church Bejai Mangalore on Sunday 26th January, 2025, with a Concelebrated Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, Director of the Pastoral Centre of the Diocese of Mangalore, Parish Priest Rev. Fr J. B. Saldanha, Asst. Parish Priest Rev. Fr Norman Mathias, Principal of Lourdes Central School Rev. Fr Johnson Sequiera, Rev. Fr Vincent Sequiera, Diocese Commission Secretary for Bible, Resident Priest Rev. Fr Peter Mascarenhas, Superior of Capuchin Friary, Rev. Fr Rocky Dcunha, Director of Loyola Jesuit House, Rev. Fr Leston Lobo SJ, Rev. Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, Bangalore and another three Diocesean Priests.

The Eucharistic Celebration was followed by a formal function, involving the honouring of the achievers of the Parish in sports, health care and academics, the services of the Gurkars present and outgoing Gurkar's Mr Romius Dsouza, Ms Rose Marie Dsouza and Mr Cyril Jerry Lobo were recognised and the services of the Nurses both ex and in service were highlighted, in a special way District Rajyothsava Awardees, United Friends Bejai, in recognition of their services to humanity and Ms Mercy Veena Dsouza for her services in caring for the Cancer patients,also Sandesha awardees Mr Michael Dsouza for esteemed Humanitarian Services and Irene Pinto for Konkani Literature, Political Leader Mr Alston Dcunha for being the member of the District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Authority appointed by the Government of Karnataka were honoured on the Community Day.

Rev. Fr J. B. Saldanha was the President and Mr Roy Castielino, PRO, Mangalore Diocese was the chief Guest for the program, Mr Michael Dsouza, Entrepreneur & Wellwisher of the church, Sr Severine Crasta UFS, Superior St Angela Convent, Rev. Fr Leston Lobo SJ, Rev Fr Norman Mathias, Rev. Fr Peter Mascarenhas, Rev. Vincent Sequiera, Vice President Mr Ashok Pinto, Secretary Ms Avitha Pinto and Coordinator for all commissions Mr Godwin Pinto were the other guests on the stage.

Sisters of St Angela Convent sang a prayer song, small children of the Parish performed a Welcome dance, Vice President Mr Ashok Pinto welcomed the gathering, Secretary Ms Avitha Pinto read out the report for the year 2024,  Mr Michael Dsouza spoke on behalf of all the honoured parishioners, Chief Guest Mr Roy Castielino was honoured and he addressed the gathering, Parish Priest Rev. Fr J. B. Saldanha addressed the Parishioners, Coordinator for all commissions Mr Godwin Pinto rendered a vote of thanks, Ms Shalet Dsouza compered the program,

A colourful cultural program by the Parishioners and the volunteers of the Parish added much fanfare to this celebration, A festal dinner at the Lourdes Central School grounds was a fitting conclusion to this parish community day of Bejai Church and this celebration of fellowship and unity was witnessed by around 1450 parishioners and guests.