Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangalore, Jan 10, 2010 : One of the most popular parishes in and around Mangalore diocese with structure as beautiful, Milagres Church began its 100th year celebration on Sunday Jan 10 with 100 different programmes lined-up throughout the year. Speciality of the centenary celebrations is that no structures or memorials are planned to mark the occasion, but only programmes that are socially beneficial, especially pro-poor.

The jubilee year kicked-off here around 9.15 am by welcoming Bishop of Mangalore, who was accompanied by the guests of honour, Jharkand Rajya Sabha MP Mabel Rebello, NRI entrepenuer Leslie Fernandes from Bahamas, Walter Nandalike of Daijworld.com and Stephen Mendes of Western Institutes of Technology. Priests over dozen from around the city were also present.

Bishop led the thanks giving mass along with Fr Walter D'Mello parish Priest of Milagres Church and other priests. In his homily, Bishop briefed about the history of Milagres, and hailed the laities support in carrying the legacy of the church. Immediately after the mass, brief symbolic inauguration ceremony of several projects were kicked-off.

Leslie Fernandes presented a replica of a house to a needy family, thus symbolically inaugurating the plan of helping 100 families to build the houses within a year. He also distributed education scholarship scheme to poor children.

In his address Fernandes thanked Milagres parishioners for the honour and opportunity to serve the people of Mangalore. Fernandes is a shipping company owner who has provided an opportunity for more than 1,200 people in Bahamas mainly from Mangalore.

Mabel Rebello through presentation of a cheque symbolically launched the scheme of helping 100 handicapped people from all over Mangalore Diocese.

In her address she said that, though she has not done much for Mangaloreans, people of Mangalore have showered love on her for her achievement in Jharkhand. She promised the support to the community in the coming days.

Walter Nandalike launched the free health card scheme of Fr Muller Hospital to 1,000 members of Mangalore Dioceses. Nandalike presented health card to three members of the community in order to launch the event symbolically.

Walter Nandalike hailed the efforts of Milagres parishioners led by Fr Walter D'Mello, who has planned 100 pro-poor events to mark the centenary year. He called upon the members of other parishes to follow such programmes and thus support poor families around.

Stephen Mendes, also wished the parishioners on the occasion and offered his support for the causes.

A cheque of Rs 5,55,555 was handed over to Bishop by Marcel Montiero , centenary comittee president as part of centenary celebrations. The amount was donated towards Mangalore Diocese's Health Relief Fund.

Fr Stany Goveas, parish priest of Rosario Cathedral released the prayer book for patients.

Blood Donation

As another important event of centenary celebrations, a blood donation programme was orgranized immediately after the inaugural ceremony at Milagres Jubilee hall. Walter Nandalike was the chief guest for the event and led the blood donors’ team by donating the blood first. Fr Muller Blood Bank were in-charge of the entire process with entire team of nurses and doctors present at the programme.

In a brief inauguration programme, Walter Nandalike, Fr Thomas Roshan (assistant parish priest , Milagres), Marcel Monteiro, and Dr Crystal Moras of Fr Muller were on the dais. Guests lit the lamps and inaugurated the event.

Dr Moras briefed about the importance and formalities of blood donation. Roshan Madtha compered the event. Nora Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. Over 100 donors from parish as well as from other parishes donated the blood on the occasion.