Assisi Nilaya minor seminary, prayer house inaugurated at Moodubelle
Udupi, Mar 15: 'Assisi Nilaya', a new minor seminary and St Padre Pio prayer house of Capuchin Fathers were inaugurated by Fr Joseph Dolphy Pais, provisional minister, Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka, at Kattingeri, Moodubelle here on Monday March 14. The seminary and the prayer house were blessed by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi. Dr Gerald, after blessing the building said, "A family should always be built on the foundations of faith, protected by the walls of love and sheltered by the roof of belief and trust. To nourish the family, every individual should inculcate the Word of God in their lives. Let this seminary always welcome all those who come in search of Word of God." The celebratory function was presided over by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, while Fr Joseph Dolphy Pais was the chief guest. Fr Clement Mascarenhas, parish priest of Moodubelle, Fr Fredrick Mascarenhas, Fr Victor Fernandes, superior, Assisi Nilaya, Ranjani Hegde, president, gram panchayat, Bernard and Rosie D'Souza, Albert and Benedicta Martis, Herald Martis, contractor, Benedict Martis, Gurkar, St Francis Xavier Ward, Helen D'Souza, Gurkar, St Rock II Ward and Alphonse Alva were present on the dais. Fr Clement, Fr Fredrick and Ranjani Hegde conveyed their wishes and congratulated the Capuchin Fathers on this occasion. Albert and Benedicta Martis were felicitated for donating an acre of land for building this new seminary. Herald Martis, contractor, Ganesh Bailoor, engineer, and Benedict Martis, Gurkar were felicitated for their services by Fr Joseph Pais.

Fr Joseph Pais congratulated Fr Victor and his team on this occasion. "I am thankful to the parishioners of Moodubelle, donors and benefactors for their infinite love and support. I would also like to thank Fr Robin, provincial administrator for their continuous invigilation and Bishop Dr Gerald for his blessings and support," he said, adding, "Let the lives of the priests of this order be a model for the people of Moodubelle and Udupi diocese." Bernard and Rosie D'Souza, owners of Mudhartha Trust Building, where the Capuchin priests had been dwelling for the past six years, were felicitated by Dr Gerald Lobo. Dr Gerald speaking on this occasion said, "A longtime dream of the Capuchin Fathers has come true. St Francis Assisi was a lover of nature and animals. He had ordered his priestly brothers to build up their seminary in the midst of nature, so that they would not be disturbed and also to protect their surroundings. This religious seminary was built for two reasons - One to train the youth for religious order, and secondly, for the house of prayer which will be kept open for all those who are hunger and seek for the Word of God. "The Capuchin Fathers in Udupi diocese have joined hands with our work in every aspect, and I am thankful to them and on this day I congratulate them. Let God's grace flow through their service," he added.

Fr Anil Sunil D'Souza welcomed the gathering, Fr Prakash Lobo compered the event, while Fr Victor Fernandes thanked all the donors, well-wishers and the gathering.

[ Close Window ]