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Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese has made his pastoral visit to St Jude Thaddeus Church in Pakshikere on Saturday 26th February. Parishioners young and old of St Jude Church received him at the entrance gate of the church at 9 o’clock in the morning. The Parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza, Asst. PP Fr Anil D’Souza and the new vice president of the parish pastoral council Mr Dolfi Wilfred Miranda garlanded the Bishop. He then made the solemn entry in to church with a long procession of the people of God led by the Turifer followed by the Cross bearer with twelve alter girls with twelve lighted candles at the marching rhythm of the sunshine band of Perampally and the gonging sound of the new church  bell.

As the shepherd of the people of God knelt down to pray before the Altar of God, the congregation along with the choir sang the hymn “Sarvoi amin ottuk melon.” Then there was a prayer service led by Fr Anil D’Souza. Since it was a whole day programme Bishop took pleasure in meeting various associations of the Parish. At 9:30 he met SCC Animators, at 10:00 meeting with the other association of the parish, at 10:30 meeting with the St Jude Higher Primary School Staff, at 10:45 meeting with the Altar servers [boys and girls], at 11:00 he met the Parish Parishad members followed by sumptuous lunch prepared by the parishioners themselves. Again at 3:00 p.m. he met the superior and the novice- mistress of the St Dominic convent Maria Kripalaya and at 3:30 he met all the catechism children including the candidates of confirmation. The out come of these meetings of the bishop added a positive remark in to the history of the Parish.

It was the trio celebration for the parishioners of Pakshikere Church; first of all Pastoral visit and confirmation, second of all Parish Day and third of all Annual Catechism Day. The evening programme began at 4:30 with the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the confirmation of 43 children from 9th to 12th std. Cultural programme began soon after the Mass at 6:00. After the few items of cultural programme, the stage programme was conducted. His lordship Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza as the chief guest together with his secretary Rev Fr Rithesh Rodrigues, Fr Alban D’Souza, Fr Anil D’souza and Mr Dolfi Wilfred Miranda were on dais. Vice president Mr Dolfi welcomed the guest and the entire congregation.

Bishop honoured the headmistress of St Jude Higher Primary School Mrs Pushpa K. for her 39 years of esteemed service in the school. He also honoured the following members; Mr Louis D’Souza and Mrs Zeeta Cutinho for their selfless service in the parish and Mr Dolfi Lobo, Mr Elais Covello and Mr Ronald D’Souza who come to assist in the spiritual activities of the Church on Fridays. It was a great pleasure for Bishop to honour the catechism children and the Sunday school teachers for their excellent performance in the Sunday school. Miss Carolin Aranha of the Vailankani Ward who scored top in the 10th std Diocesan Catechism Examination in Pakshikere was specially honoured at this time by bishop. It was a great privilege for the people of Pakshikere to have an esteemed chief guest His lordship Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.

The Parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza, Asst. PP Fr Anil D’Souza and the vice president Mr Dolfi Wilfred Miranda honoured him with shawl, flowers, fruits and a cheque of  Rupees 1 00,000 for being so kind in granting permission for the development works and for being very supportive in all endeavors of the parish. Bishop in his conclusive talk exclaimed that he was impressed the way the parish had made its progress in all walks especially in matters of faith. He thanked the parishioners and all the sponsors for their supportive hand to the parish priest and his assistant. Bishop was also grateful to both priests for their tireless work in up bringing the faith of the parishioners and the pilgrims. The Cultural programmes were continued till 10:30pm with Bailam singing, and dance by the boarders and youth including Dn Rohan D’Souza, Fr Anil D’Souza and Fr Alban D’Souza. It was indeed a splendid programme all the participants have put up their best performance with the guidance of their class teachers. The climax of the day was in eating together the gala dinner prepared by the parishioners themselves.