Report: Richard D’Souza
Udupi/Kallianpur : Popularly known in religious and social circles in Udupi as a devout and a gentleman priest, Very Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca took the responsibility of one of the oldest and sacred Milagres Church, Kallianpur in the Coastal Karnataka, and cathedral of Udupi Diocese, as its third Rector and 50th Vicar, during a simple yet dignified ceremony led by Chancellor of the Udupi Diocese V. Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo.
Accompanied by hundreds of Udupi Our Lady Sorrows parishioners, priests from deanery Fr. Mendonca arrived in Kallianpur, was warmly welcomed by the V. Rev. Dr. Lawrence C. D’Souza, other priests, Vice president Jeffry Dias, Secretary Felciana Lewis,18 pastoral commission coordinator Flavia Menezes and other office bearers, heads of Educational Institutions, Convents pious organisations etc with jasmine garlands and bouquet.
After invoking the Almighty Lords blessings, readings from the Holy Scriptures and reflections on the same, the formal handing and taking over of the responsibilities, both religious and administrative, of the Cathedral was conducted.
Rev. Dr. L.C. D’Souza, former Rector explained the unavoidable circumstances to relinquish the most responsible position due to health reasons that too throat related ailments, where he cannot listen and counsel the primary needs of parishioners, but expressed his gratitude to the parishioners and superiors during his 2.5 years stay in Kallianpur. He continued, the new Rector, may be new to this position but not to Kallianpur, who had a distinct service record of 18 long years as Assistant Vicar in 1980 and from 1986 onwards as Lecturer, Vice Principal and Principal of prestigious Milagres College. He also served as Chaplain of Ozanam House for aged
V. Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo, former Vicar and first Rector of the Cathedral, congratulated the new incumbent Fr. Mendonca wished the parish to grow in spirit, divinity and flourish with developmental work and Patron Mother Milagres will bless and all Milagreans will join their hands together to work in union in coming days and assured all co-operation on behalf of Bishop and the Diocese.
It was very emotional moment to listen to Rev. Fr. Mendonca, who called back the days served with Late V. Rev. Fr. G.L D’Cruz the architect of modern Kallianpur, in 80’s and with Rev. Fr. William Gonsalves, an educationist, who was Vicar vara during his days in College and now third time home coming as Rector and at the helm of Church affairs, which needs everyone’s prayerful support and cooperation. He took the opportunity to specially thank his predecessor Rev. Dr. L.C. D’Souza, for his services in Milagres and the parishioners of Udupi, St. Mary’s Institutions, its Principal and staff for all they have done for the last 3.5 years as Vicar and Vicar Forane of Udupi Deanery and the informed them the holy doors of this Cathedral always open for them to pray to our lady of Milagres and of course meet him.
In the beginning, Vice President, Pastoral Council Mr Jeffry Dias extended a warm welcome to all who gathered in large numbers and the Secretary Mrs Felciana Lewis., who aptly compeered the proceedings along with Assistant Parish priest Rev Fr. Canute Noronha, placed in the brief but colorful history of the Milagres parish. Mabel D’Souza delivered a vote of thanks.
