Photography: Stanly Bantwal

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza

Mangaluru, Nov 19: St Lawrence Church & Shrine witnessed a solemn triple celebration on November 18, marked by the sacrament of confirmation, the first anniversary of the renovated church, and the felicitation of donors.

Dr Robert Michael Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga, presided over the eucharistic mass. The concelebrants included Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, parish priest; Fr Peter Gonsalves, principal of St Lawrence English Medium School; Fr Lawrence Cutinha; Fr Arul -Betharram; Fr Peter Mascarenhas; Fr Ivan Peter Cordeiro, asst. manager, Codialbail Press; Fr Ravi Kumar, MSIJ; and Fr James Britto, MSIJ. During the solemn liturgy, Bishop Robert administered the sacrament of confirmation to 90 children of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, at 5 pm.

In his inspiring homily, Bishop Robert first addressed the 90 children receiving the sacrament of confirmation. He beautifully explained the powerful working of the holy spirit, reminding them that the gifts of the spirit strengthen, enlighten, and sanctify every believer. He emphasised that each child is uniquely blessed, wonderfully created, and called to be a living temple of god. Encouraging them to remain rooted in faith, he prayed that the holy spirit may guide, guard, and inspire them to lead lives filled with grace, courage, and Christian witness.

He further reflected on the feast of St’s. Peter and Paul, the significance of their Basilicas, and the four major Basilicas of Rome. Expressing gratitude to God on the first anniversary of the renovated church, he offered heartfelt prayers for all donors and benefactors who generously supported the parish. He urged the faithful to live as one family, to pray together in the church, and to strengthen the bond of unity within the parish community.

Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, the parish priest, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Bishop of Gulbarga for presiding over the holy Mass and for administering the sacrament of confirmation to the children. He also thanked all the concelebrating priests for their gracious presence.

On behalf of all the donors, Michael D’Souza, a Dubai-based NRI entrepreneur, was felicitated after the Mass by Dr Robert Michael Miranda with a shawl, a flower bouquet, and a St Lawrence memento.

Expressing his gratitude, Michael congratulated Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza for successfully completing the renovation of the church with the support of generous benefactors. He shared that the church is a sacred place where the faithful gather to pray, and with the help of all donors, a beautiful and spacious house of God has been built. He added that whatever we offer to the church, god returns to us a hundredfold.

Soon after the Mass, all the confirmation children, donors, and sponsors joined the procession along with the Bishop and priests, walking to the open church grounds for the felicitation programme.

The programme commenced with a prayer song. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza welcomed the gathering, thanked the donors for their generous presence, and congratulated the children who received the sacrament of confirmation. Out of the 90 children, three exceptionally gifted students were felicitated by the Bishop with flower bouquets for being witnesses of Christ.

Sr Jennifer, the catechism teacher who prepared the children for the sacrament, called upon all the newly confirmed candidates. Bishop Dr Robert then handed over the confirmation certificates and a rosary to each child. The boys holding white balloons and the girls holding yellow balloons stood on the stage and released them into the air, followed by the release of white pigeons as a symbol of peace. The children then sang the thanksgiving hymn, joined by the parish clergy, vice president John D’Silva, and secretary Santhosh Misquith of the parish pastoral council.

Children who secured high marks in catechism were honoured by the Bishop with a memento. Jessica D’Souza shared her heartfelt experience on behalf of the 90 children, expressing her joy in receiving the sacrament of confirmation and thanking all the teachers who guided and prepared them.

The main sponsors, donors who contributed materials, and all benefactors who donated Rs 1 lac and above were felicitated by Bishop Robert with a St Lawrence memento as a token of gratitude and love. Bishop Robert Miranda himself was felicitated by the parish clergy, the vice president, and the secretary of the PPC with a shawl, memento, fruits, and a flower bouquet.

In his message, Bishop Robert congratulated the parish priest, Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, the donors, and the parishioners for building a beautiful church and for their warm felicitation.

Addressing the confirmed children, he encouraged them to remain attentive to god’s call or any field of life—and to be true witnesses of Christ and examples of good Christian living. He urged the faithful to pray for the Diocese of Gulbarga and for missionaries across the world.

John D’Silva, vice president of the parish pastoral council, delivered the vote of thanks. Fr Peter Gonsalves blessed the meal, and Bishop Robert extended his blessings to everyone gathered. Dinner and ice cream were served to all, and Ronald Lasrado lifted everyone’s spirits with his soulful singing.