Report by: Richard D’Souza
The dual celebrations of Parish Community Day and Trinity Sunday began with the Solemn Eucharistic mass at 9 am which Rev Fr. Steevan Fernandes, Director of Youth Commission, Udupi diocese concelebrated with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cordoza, Asst. parish priest of Milagres and Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza, Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur.
In his homily Fr. Steeven Fernandes said that today we are celebrating Trinity Sunday and Parish Community Day and that likewise Holy Father, Son and Holy Spirit united as one God and Milagres Cathedral parish community also united together as one family of the church and celebrating community day. God’s identity is revealed to us in the functions and relationships of the three persons in one God. The first person is called Father, not in the sense of gender, but because he is the progenitor, source, origin or beginning of all that is. The second person is called Son because comes forth eternally from the Father. He is the eternal Word of love spoken by the Father who became the Redeemer and Savior of all. The third person is called the Spirit of Jesus. He is the Spirit of love of the Father and the Son, emanating eternally from their mutual love, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Advocate, comforter and Sanctifier. If God is Creater-Father, then we are his creatures, sons and daughters of God. If God is the begotten Son, then we are brothers and sisters of God. If God is a Spirit-Sanctifier, then we are the sanctified, the holy ones of God.
Fr. Steeven said that in every Sacrament we start with and end with by saying Holy Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. By receiving the Sacraments by anointing of Holy Oil, we are the sanctified, the holy ones of God.
The parish community is the one family which we are uniting through our Patron Our Lady of Miracles. Let us celebrate the parish community day with utmost love and peace with one another in the parish family.
At the end of the mass, Rector Fr. Valerian Mendonca placed the weekly announcements and gave gratitude to the main celebrant of the Mass Fr Steeven Fernandes and other priests Fr. Nithesh D’Souza and Fr. Pradeep Cordoza. He conveyed the Trinity festive and parish community day wishes to all the parishioners.
Following the mass, the cultural programmes were organized by all wards of the parish at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. Fr. Nithesh D’Souza was the chief guest. Fr. Nithesh was speaking during the occasion.
Parish Pastoral Council Secretary Eugene Rebello placed the parish report. The outgoing priest Fr Nithesh and nun Sr. Alice of Rose Convent were felicitated during the occasion and also incoming nun of Rose Convent Sr. Annie was welcomed by handing over a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Prizes were distributed to winners of ICYM organized ‘cooking without fire’ and also distributed consolidated prizes for the participants of the competition.
Fr. Valerian Mendonca gave a festive message to the parish community and thanked all concerned for the celebration of parish community day.
Earlier, Melwyn Sequiera, Vice president of the parish pastoral council welcomed the gathering. Preema Lewis, Convener of parish pastoral commissions proposed a vote of thanks. Lerissa D’Souza of Puttur ward compared the whole programme. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza graced the prayers on lunch meal. Lunch was served to all the participants of the programme.
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