Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 22: St Joseph the Worker Church, Neermarga choir transported, inspired, motivated and engaged the faithful in hymns and a sea of devotees thronged promulgating the propitious day of the feast of St Joseph, Mary’s husband and to mark a significant day in the history of the church namely, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the new presbytery on March 19.
As the entrance procession made its way to the altar, 16 families representing 16 wards of the parish walked in front of the main celebrants Msgr Maxim Lawrence Noronha vicar-general of Mangaluru diocese and Fr Anil D'Mello, parish priest together inaugurated the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family followed by a festive holy eucharist.
Msgr Maxim Lawrence Noronha in his edifying homily said, “As we celebrate the feast of St Joseph, let us give thanks to God for the gift of Joseph, the protector of the holy family of Nazareth, a risk-taker and a deep listener." Further, he gave a wake-up call to the parishioners to remain steadfast when life throws up difficult challenges and troubles to live with integrity as St Joseph did, trusting God. He reiterated the words of Pope Francis: 'I have a great love for St Joseph, because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table, I have an image of St Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church. We know that he can do that. So when I have a problem, a difficulty, I write a little note and I put it underneath St Joseph, so that he can dream about it. In other words, I tell him: Pray for this problem!'"
It was indeed a thought-provoking homily. The liturgy committee under the able auspices of Fr Anil D'Mello, parish priest meticulously planned the liturgy. After the mass, a formal ceremony was held to lay the foundation stone. The parish priest extended a cordial, genial, joyous and hospitable greeting to Msgr Maxim Lawrence Noronha through his sweet flowing words of welcome and by offering a bouquet. The vicar-general in his presidential address articulated that under Fr Anil D'Mello, an unassuming, charismatic guide and a leader with utmost efficiency and dynamic personality and the support of the parishioners and benisons of St Joseph would undoubtedly execute with perfection the proposed venture.
The foundation stone was then unveiled and blessed, together with the grounds, by Msgr Maxim Lawrence Noronha followed by petitions praying for the success of this endeavour. Thereby The vicar-general, the parish priest, Ravi Saldanha, vice-president of the parish pastoral council, Prakash Pereira, secretary of the parish pastoral council positioned the stone in place and thus the foundation for the presbytery was laid and thus the long-cherished dream became a reality. These were moments of elation and rejoicing for the parishioners assembled in large numbers. Refreshments were then served.
Prasad Vas effectually compered the programme.