Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 19: St Sebastian Church, Bendur, joyfully celebrated the Annual Feast of its Patron Saint, St Sebastian, on January 18 with deep devotion and community participation. As a gesture of gratitude and blessing, candles were distributed to all benefactors, PPC members, and sponsors by the parish priest, Fr Walter D’Souza.
The festal Holy Mass was solemnly celebrated with Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, vicar Forane of the Episcopal city deanery, as the main celebrant. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr Walter D’Souza, assistant priests, and guest priests from neighboring parishes. The theme of the feast, ‘Our Children – Fruits of the Kingdom of God', was meaningfully reflected in the homily, wherein the main celebrant highlighted the responsibility of families, the church, and society in nurturing children in faith, values, and love, reminding the faithful that children are God’s precious gift and hope for the future.
Later, the English Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr Ronald Serrao, professor at St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu.
The cultural programme commenced in the evening. The choir team began the programme with a prayer hymn, invoking God’s blessings. The vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council, Deepak D’Souza, warmly welcomed the gathering. The annual report of parish activities was presented by the former PPC secretary, Patsy Britto, highlighting the spiritual, social, and pastoral initiatives undertaken during the year.
A major highlight of the evening was the felicitation of parish achievers, who brought honour to the parish through their outstanding achievements and service to society.
Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha was honoured for receiving the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.
Denis D’Silva and Dr Vivian Mendonca were felicitated for receiving the Dakshina Kannada Rajyotsava Award.
Irene Leena Fernandes was honoured for receiving the State-Level Best Teacher Award.
Dr Sunitha Benedicta Lasrado and Dr Suman Antony Lasrado were felicitated for completing their PhD.
In addition, the retired Gurkars were honoured in recognition of their years of dedicated and selfless service to their wards and the parish.
In his message, the parish priest Fr Walter D’Souza expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the feast celebrations and encouraged the faithful to continue building a vibrant and faithfilled parish community.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the parish secretary, Royston Farrias, while Alwyn D’Souza efficiently compered the event.
The celebrations concluded with a Konkani drama titled ‘Chiri’, presented by the Asthithva Team, written and directed by Fr Alwyn Serrao. The drama, which conveyed a strong social and moral message, was witnessed and appreciated by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese, who graced the occasion with his presence.
The parish feast celebrations were a true reflection of faith, gratitude, culture, and unity, leaving lasting spiritual and joyful memories among the parishioners.