Alphonse Mendonsa Udupi, Oct 7: A grand Couple’s Day celebration was held at St John, the Evangelist Church, Pangla (Shankerpura) on Sunday, October 5, bringing together over 200 married pairs to honour the sacred bond of matrimony. The highlight of the celebration was the felicitation of 14 couples who marked their golden jubilee — 50 years of married life. The event began with a Thanksgiving Holy Eucharistic Mass, concelebrated by parish priest Fr Dr Anil Prakash Castelino, along with Fr Jassyl Coutinho and Fr Rolwyn Fernandes, assistant priests of the parish. The spiritual gathering was followed by a vibrant celebration at the newly inaugurated Sabha Bhavan auditorium. Grand welcome and felicitation ceremony The formal celebration commenced with emcee Wilfred R D’Souza, a noted Konkani writer and editor of the parish magazine, inviting the honorary guests to the dais. The programme began with a prayer song by the parish choir, followed by a warm welcome address by Helen D’Souza, co-ordinator of the Family Commission (Pangla Parish Unit). Distinguished guests present on the dais included Janet Barboza, a prominent women’s leader from Mudarangadi parish; Leslie Aroza, director of the Family Commission, Udupi diocese; Fr Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, parish priest; Fr Jassyl Coutinho and Fr Rolwyn Fernandes, assistant priests; John Martis, vice-president of the Pastoral Council; Gabriel Martis, secretary of the Pastoral Council; Joseph Castelino, president of the 20 Commissions; and Helen D’Souza. The dignitaries, joined by young pair DJ Rayan and Priya Rodrigues, performed the lighting of the traditional lamp, symbolising the spiritual and generational harmony of the celebration. Honouring enduring love To mark the celebration, a special cake-cutting ceremony was held by the oldest couple of the parish, Ambros Christian Mathias, after which the cake was distributed to all present in the hall. Jacinta D’Sa, member of the Family Commission, introduced the chief guest Janet Barboza, who graciously accepted the invitation to raise a toast for all. While introducing her, Jacinta noted that Barboza has “33 years of experience as a married woman and has actively worked across various associations and causes, particularly advocating for women’s rights in society.” In her toast, Janet Barboza expressed her delight at being part of the occasion, especially in honouring senior couples. “In the olden days, people were married off at an early age and remained faithful to one another through all the ups and downs,” she said. She congratulated all, especially the 14 celebrating their golden jubilees, and emphasised: “The key point for the survival of marriage is frank conversation with each other. After all, it is constant efforts and sacrifices that uplift the children and keep the family together.” Keynote address and reflections The keynote address was delivered by Leslie Aroza, director of the Family Commission, Udupi diocese. He underscored the sanctity of the married vocation. “The married couple’s profession is also very holy — equal to that of priests and nuns. We should be proud of our vocation,” he stated. He remarked on the challenges faced by modern marriages: “Old marriages lasted for decades, but today, many are broken for simple reasons. Additionally, many young people are unwilling to marry at the right age, leading to delays in building families.” He added: “Once married, the daughter of the house becomes the daughter-in-law of her new home — that is where she must stay. Do not encourage daughters to return home without valid reasons.” He concluded by encouraging all to “spend more time together, discuss their problems, share their joys, and express appreciation for each other.” Words of encouragement and inclusion Speaking on the significance of the event, John Martis, vice-president of the Pastoral Council, highlighted the importance of celebrating wedding jubilees. “Such milestones serve as a reminder of the dedication and commitment required in marriage and help inspire others to continue in the same spirit until the end,” he said. “It is essential that we accept failures in life, learn from them, and continue to strengthen our relationships,” he added. As president of the Jubilee Celebration, he congratulated all and added a thoughtful suggestion: “While we celebrate many occasions, one important group we often forget is widows. They are still part of our family and deserve to be recognised and celebrated too.” Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “The Catholic Church is walking together or moving together towards divine life,” he added. A joyous gathering Edwin Lasrado, member of the Family Commission, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to all contributors, guests, and participants who made the celebration a grand success. A sumptuous lunch was served to all the attendees following the ceremony. The event concluded with an interactive and entertaining session hosted by emcee Wilfred R D’Souza, who lightened the mood with spot games, wit, and humour, bringing laughter and joy to all present. The Couple’s Day celebration at Pangla Parish stood as a tribute to love, faith, commitment, and the enduring power of marriage — values that continue to bind the community together.
