Udupi, 29th Jun. 15 : “The Lord called me from the womb; from the body of my mother He named me” (Isaiah 49:1), Mrs. Mary D’Sa and family celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination of Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa Parish Priest of Kuntal Nagar and PRO of Udupi Diocese with thanksgiving Solemn High Mass at native parish Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte near here on Sunday, 28th June, 2015. The Solemn High Eucharistic celebration held with Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa who completes 25 years of his fruitful Priestly Ministry by God Grace on 14th May, 2015 was the chief celebrant along with Most Rev Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Henry D’Souza of Bellery Diocese and Most Rev Dr. Peter Machado of Belagavi Diocese along with more than 60 priests.
During in his meaningful beautiful homily, Rev Fr. Joseph Martis Rector of St. Joseph’s seminary, Mangalore said that God chose weak and humble persons like Moses and other prophets who become most powerful in God’s work. Similarly Fr Denis D’Sa also chose God to priestly vocation and during the twenty five years Fr. Denis had endowed him with various God given talents and abilities to carry on God’s work.
Further Fr. Martis said that wherever Fr. Denis during his mission of serve the God he was tremendous enthusiasm and liveliness among the people in different ways. He endeavored to spread happiness among community through various ways and he was instrument of God in spreading the words of God through his words and actions. He said that through out the Biblical history, the prophets and later Saints had faith with God and so like them Fr. Denis having faith in God almighty like Words of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta that God has called us not be successful but to be faithful.
Prior to the Eucharistic celebrations prayer blessed room which donated by Fr. Denis D’Sa & family members devoted to Our Lady of Rosary was inaugurated by Mary D’Sa and blessed by Bishop Henry D’Souza of Ballery Diocese.
During the Eucharistic thanksgiving celebrations, the choir led by Rev Fr. Clement Mascarenhas enhanced the devotional atmosphere with beautiful and meaningful hymns supported to Mount Rosary Choir team and Udupi Church Choir team as well.
As soon as Eucharistic mass at Mount Rosary Church, the Felicitation programme held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall, Kallianpur. Well arranged programme began with welcome prayer dance by the students of Sandesha Mangalore. Besides Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa, his beloved “Amma” Mrs. Mary D’Sa, Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Most Rev Dr. Peter Machado, Rev Fr. Philip Nery Aranha parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, Rev Fr. Clement Mascarenhas Parish Priest of Moodubelle church who raised the toast for Fr. Denis and five batch mates of Fr. Denis who had similarly celebrated their Silver Jubliee of priest hood, Rev Msgr. Stany Lobo Vicar General of Gulbarga Diocese, Rev Fr. Ivan Madtha, Rev Fr. Stany Rodrigues, Rev Fr. Eric Crasta and Rev Dr. J. B. Saldanha were present on the dais.
Mary D’Sa welcomed the gatherings. The beautiful cake on the occasion of Jubilee was cut by Fr. Denis D’Sa along with dignitaries on the dais. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas one of the best friend of Fr. Denis raised the occasion toast with extraordinary one. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas highlighting the finer qualities of Fr. Denis who known for his discipline, time management, communication skills, oratory, arts and music and jokes with multiple talents.
The family members with his mother Mrs. Mary D’Sa followed by his sisters and brother felicitated Fr. Denis with huge flower garland. After that Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado Bishop of Belegavi spoke during the occasion. He said that Fr. Denis has been the most colourful personality in the both Mangalaore and Udupi diocese with God almighty blessed with plenty of talents which he utilizing to spread the word of God.
During the occasion five other jubilarian priests felicitated by Bishop Dr. Peter Machado. On behalf of Mount Rosary Parishioners Fr. Denis D’Sa was felicitated which along with Fr. Philip Nery Secretary of parish pastoral council members and Fr. Mahesh D’Souza Asst. Parish Priest.
During in his speech Most Rev Dr. Henry D’Souza Bishop of Bellary appreciated Fr. Denis D’Sa’s multiple talents and his works to the twin dioceses. Adding with he said Fr. Denis is the priest with unlimited capacity of talents and priest of ever energetic as well. The Bishop conveyed Mary D’Sa for dedicating her son to serve the God. During the occasion he along with Roy Castalino President of Karnataka State Konkani Sahithya Academy honoured Fr. Denis with shawl and flowers.
During in his presiding address Bishop Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo said that Fr. Denis is the Jasmine of Kallianpur which bloomed in various parishes, Sandesha, Fr. Muller and now in Kuntalnagar and wherever he served he has spread the fragrance during his precious 25 years of priesthood. He dedicated his life to serve the people with good news of God. During his priesthood he had added value of priesthood by his strong faith, dedication and selfish service. His God blessed various gifts he serving God by spreading the message of God to the faithful. Bishop greatly appreciated Fr. Denis for his vast service to the diocese.
During the felicitation program Vinay Kumar Sorake Minister in charge of the district felicitated Fr. Denis D’Sa. Meanwhile J. R. Lobo Mangalore MLA and Ivan D’Souza MLC also felicitated Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa during the occasion.
At the end, Fr. Denis D’Sa expressed his gratitude to Almighty God, his parents, sisters and brother and each and everyone who made the felicitation program possible. He thanked his Amma in special, his sisters, brother & family and all. He really appreciated his younger sister Lavina for her role to organizing the beautiful function. Fr. Denis gave gratitude to all concerned to the celebration of his priestly silver jubilee which grand success.
During the occasion Fr. Denis younger brother Wilson sponsoring two seminarians handed over cheque to Bishop Henry D’Souza which in turn would be handed over to Bishop of Mangalaore Diocese.
The felicitation program was compered by Prof. Vincent Alva of Pamboor. Large number of participants conveyed best wishes to Fr. Denis and enjoyed fellowship lunch.
Courtesy: manipal world news