Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangalore, Mar 8, 2009 : The Church Of Guardian Angel, Angelore, commenced its platinum jubilee celebrations on Sunday March 8.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, by lighting the lamp and unveiling the church emblem to mark the beginning of the platinum jubilee year.

At the beginning of the 7.30 am mass, all the Gurkars and representatives of various associations and institutions of the parish, numbering 74, entered the church with lit lamps. “Our parish is a family. We will live by the light of Christ and be lights to one another”, was the message they proclaimed offering the lamps to the Bishop.

Until 1935, there was no parish between Kankanady and Padil, and Catholics of the area found it difficult to meet their spiritual needs and administrative requirements.

After discussions and due consideration, the serving Bishop of the time Rev Victor Rosario Fernandes felt that the request for the formation of a new parish was justified and permission was obtained from the vicars of the neighbouring parishes.

On March 3 1935, Angelore parish was formally established in the residence of John Coelho on a temporary basis.

It was on a Sunday exactly at 7.00 am when Bishop Fernandes, vicar of Bendoor parish Fr D’Souza, and the newly-appointed vicar for Angelore parish Fr Gaulbert Noronha concelebrated the mass and inaugurated the newly-formed parish dedicated to the Guardian Angel, on a temporary basis. On August 7 1935, the Altar Boys’ Sodality was formed.

The platinum jubilee celebrations will include circulation of the crucifix among the families, and a special Eucharistic celebration on every first Sunday of the month at 4.30 pm followed by an hour of adoration with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament under the leadership of various wards of the parish.

Besides these organization of retreats, renewal programmes and seminars for various age groups, a bible quiz and sports and games at the parish and diocesan level, establishment of an education fund to support the poor, intelligent, and capable students, renovation of the parish hall, improving facilities, painting of the church, decoration of the Patron’s Altar and provision of other liturgical requirements, are all on the agenda.