Mangalore Diocese News

News: Sunil Miranda
Pics: Akruthi Studio, Moodbidri / gantalkattechurch.org

Moodbidri, May 3 : Twenty five years in the life of an organization, institution and indeed of a Parish has a great importance. Gantalkatte church has completed 25 years of journey of faith under the patronage of our lady of perpetual help. May 2, 2013 is the Grand Finale of the silver jubilee celebrations of its existence. The  day has been marked and celebrated with great festivity and fervor.

In the  morning at 9.30, the concelebrated mass was celebrated presided over by the bishop of Mangalore Most Rev Dr Aloysius P. D'souza. The church was overcrowded with people of Gantalkatte and neighboring parishes. Soon after the programme a well organized "honoring programme" was arranged to show our gratitude to the people who made possible the erection of the church at Gantalkatte and to people who continued the efforts thereafter. Former parish priests, founders, land donors,  selfless workers during the building of the church, and benefactors were fondly remembered . The services of former vice-presidents, gurkars and prominent people of the parish for the past  twenty five years were recognized.

Fr Antony Lewis spoke on behalf of past parish priests. Fr Stany B. Lobo and Fr Austin Peris , vicar vara gave away the prizes for the winners in various competitions. Church souvenir "Moriyecha Metanim" was released from the hands of Fr Stany B Lobo, the builder of the Gantalkatte church , when he was the parish priest of Taccode Church. Fr Mark Castelino received the honour on behalf of mother church Tacode. The wishes sent from London by the founder Mr Jacob Menezes was read out by Mr Egbert Menezes. Bishop Aloysius P. D'souza presided over the programme and in his presidential address congratulated the efforts of the parish community. Parish priest Fr Vernon Vas welcomed the gathering, vice president Mr Vincent Menezes thanked everyone who were responsible to realize the jubilee celebrations. Mr Egbert Menezes and Mrs Vinitha Miranda compered the entire morning jubilee programme.

In the evening as the cultural part, "Rupyali Sanz" was staged with the help of 'Eleir Tacode'. In the stage programme Fr Stany B. Llobo was honored for his challenging work of building the church when he was the PP of Tacode in 1980. In his speech he gave credit to the good will of the parishioners for the success of the project. The important glimpses of 25 years history was placed before the audience by Mrs. Gretta Aranha.  Prominent industrialist Mr. Sripati Bhat, Khateeb H. M. Abdullatheep Madani of Badriya Jumma Masjid , Gantalkatte were high on praises of the faithful of Gantalkatte. Msgr Denis Prabhu, vicar general  of Mangalore diocese released the book "Kadryacho Kanto" written by Asumpta Pereira of St Anthony ward and in his presidential address he remembered the services of the Catholics wholly and congratulated the parishioners for keeping up the Christian spirit over the years.

In the Rupyali Sanz along with live songs, dances from children ,young and adults of the parish were staged. Mr Alwyn Menezes, and team kept the crowd in laughter and joy by their jokes in between the songs. Deepthi D'cunha and Sandesh D'souza facilitated the cultural programme. Mr Alwyn Menezes and Ms Lavita Rodrigues compered the entire evening programme. Fr Edwin Francis Pinto ,the resident priest guided and assisted the entire program and did the final thanking at the concluding point of the event.