The Diamond Jubilee celebration of the birthday of Rev Fr. Valerian D’Souza , Parish priest of Our Lady of Miracles church, Milagres , Mangalore, was celebrated under the able leadership of the parish pastoral council, with a high mass on 30th April 2017.
The solemn thanks giving, Holy Eucharistic celebration was at 5p.m in the church , praying for Fr. Valerian D’Souza who has completed his 60 beautiful years of his life on 22nd March 2017. The mass was concelebrated with 40 priests, his batch mates, deanery priests, friends and well wishers who joined him in thanking the Lord for the numerous blessings he has received during the past 60 years of his life.
After the solemn Eucharistic celebration the jubilarian Fr. Valerian D’souza was taken in a grand procession from the church with a brass band from the church for felicitation in the parish Jubilee memorial hall. The function was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’souza , bishop of Mangalore diocese.
Mr Albert D’souza, Chairman, Adel Education Trust, Model Co-op Bank Ltd, Printania Offset Printers Pvt Ltd, Mumbai was the guest of honour. The other dignitaries on the dais who graced the occasion were Fr. Anil Lobo, Asst. Parish priest, Fr. Michael Santhumayor, Principal Milagres college, Fr. Anil Alfred D’souza, Director, Family life centre, Mangalore diocese, Fr. William Gonsalves, resident priest, Fr. G.W.Vas, resident priest, Mr. Ivan D’souza, Vice President , Parish Pastoral council, Mr. Ivan Fernanades, Secretary Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. John Baptist Monteiro, Convenor ,Diamond Jubilee committee and Mr. Savil Mascarenhas , Secretary, Diamond Jubilee committee.
The program began with a prayer song by the parish children. The youth of the Parish presented a beautiful welcome dance after which, the Jubilee committee convenor Mr. John B. Monteiro extended a cordial welcome, to all the dignitaries and the guests. The guest of honour Mr. Albert D’Souza raised the toast and famed the qualities of the Jubilarians and said that his commitment and dedication to the field of education is indeed praise worthy.
Mr. Albert recalled their association for the past 15 years from the start of St. Joseph’s Engineering College and greatly appreciated his qualities of head and heart in shouldering the responsibilities. He said the success and fame of St. Joseph’s Engineering College is mainly because of Fr. Valerian’s deep spirituality, administrative ability, sincere hard work, meticulous planning, and disciplined implementation of strategies.
The parishioners then joined together and felicitated Fr. Valerian with a meaningful melodious song, floral bouquets and a cash gift of Rs. 60,000/. Fr. Valerian out of his great love for the children decided to start a health fund with the gift amount received as gift for the ailing children below 12 years for their treatment. Thus showed his magnanimous heart.
Fr. William Gonsalves , resident priest who celebrated his Diamond Jubilee sacerdotal ordination was also felicitated at this occasion and was wished well.
Fr. Valerian in expression of his gratitude thanked everyone who made his day beautiful, meaningful and memorable. In his speech he recalled the contribution of his role model and Spiritual guide the late most Rev Dr Basil D’Souza former Bishop of Mangalore. He also thanked the charity Sisters, Sr. Jacintha Rebello and Sr. Marie Roseline for their constant support in the success of His mission. He deeply acknowledged his indebtedness to Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza for his trust in entrusting him with responsibilities of great care. He then thanked the Diamond Jubilee committee members for efficiently organising such a unique programme and offered a bouquet of flowers to the convener Mr. John B. Monteiro as an expression of his Gratitude.
Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza in his presidential address appreciated Fr. Valerian D’Souza for his wonderful dutifulness in shouldering any responsibilities entrusted to him so very efficiently and his remarkable contribution to the field of education in the diocese of Mangalore. He said Fr. Valerian’s extended family is the parish community and he is the member of this extended family. So it is the duty of the parishioners to organise such events to mark the beautiful occasion.. He was all full of praise for organising such a unique and beautiful event.
Mrs. Lovina Montiero compeered the program and Mr. Ivan Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. Fr. Anil Alfred D’Souza led the grace before the meals. After the greeting and felicitation all joined for the sumptuous family meal organised in honour of the Jubilarian.