Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 15, 2017 : Divine Call Centre Mulki here saw an outburst of enthusiasm and joy as the occasion arose on Saturday January 14. The SVD priests and others celebrated the feast of their founder, St Arnold Janssen. Many people graced the celebration including the Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza as well as the Bishop of Shimoga, Dr Francis Serrao.

The prayerful atmosphere of the Centre added special flavor to the celebration as the faithful joined in the Adoration and the Holy Eucharist that was concelebrated by almost 100 priests and about 1,000 people.

The day was also marked by the combined celebration of the golden jubilee of one of the senior SVD priests, Fr Lawrence Pereira and another 7 priests who celebrated their silver jubilee of ordination. It was indeed a special day for all the relatives and friends of all these priests. Some of these priests were pioneers in many different foreign missions like, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, and in the Indian SVD provinces like Guwahati, Assam. Their rich and vast experiences added luster to the felicitation that followed the Eucharistic Celebration.

Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza was also specially felicitated as he too was celebrating his 50 years of priesthood, 20 years as Bishop of Mangaluru and also his 75th year of life. Bishop Francis Serrao of Shivamogga too was celebrating his 25 years of Priesthood. In addition, one of the close friends of DCC, Dr Suresh Aranha, who had received the District level honour during the Karnataka Rajyotsava, was also felicitated by the Priests and Staff of DCC for his selfless and ready services. During the felicitation program Bishop Francis Serrao released the 8th volume of the New CD Daivik Balidhan. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza inaugurated the new matrimonial website for all the Catholics. The address of the new website is www.dccmatrimonial.in.

After the brief felicitation, the sumptuous and delicious meal was cherished by all those who came for the celebration. It was a marvelous day filled with God’s manifold blessings indeed.