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Fathers’ Day and Fathers’ Jubilee Celebrations at St Anne Church, Thottam, Udupi Diocese

Date: 19 March 2025: The Fathers’ Day and Fathers’ Jubilee Celebrations at St Anne Church, Thottam, were marked by a unique and heartfelt gathering. As part of the Jubilee Year of 2025, approximately 140 fathers from the parish came together for a Thanksgiving Eucharist, a public felicitation, and a dinner get-together. The event was organized by the Family Commission of the parish.

The evening commenced with a solemn Thanksgiving Eucharist officiated by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa. In his homily, Fr. Denis emphasized the exemplary qualities of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fathers. He highlighted three essential attributes that defined St. Joseph’s personality: Simplicity, Silence, and Spirituality. Despite being from the royal lineage of David, St. Joseph humbly surrendered to the will of God, embracing his role as the foster father of Jesus with obedience. Fr. Denis noted that St. Joseph was a silent saint, often overlooked compared to other celebrated saints, yet he played a crucial role in the divine plan of salvation.

Fr. Denis also elaborated on the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary fathers. He identified key strengths such as responsibility, fidelity, sincerity, giving, and forgiving, while also acknowledging challenges like cheating, alcoholism, dominance, and selfishness. Furthermore, he shed light on the struggles fathers face today, including betrayal by children, the undisciplined lives of their offspring, and feelings of isolation. He encouraged fathers to remain hopeful and courageous in the face of these challenges, drawing inspiration from St. Joseph as a role model.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, a meaningful cultural program was held in the church auditorium. The fathers were welcomed in a traditional manner. Dr. Vincent Alva, a father of three children and the Principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur, shared valuable insights on how fathers can effectively navigate the challenges of life while being a loving father and a devoted husband.

A touching segment titled "My Daddy, My Hero" featured three youth who shared their personal experiences and the profound impact their fathers had on their lives. Additionally, Mrs. Blecilla Crasta delivered an emotional speech on "My Husband and My Family," where she expressed deep appreciation for her husband’s love, sacrifice, and commitment towards their children and family.

The evening was further enlivened with fun games organized for the participants, fostering camaraderie and joy among the attendees. The celebrations concluded with a sumptuous dinner, leaving the participants with cherished memories of the event.

Mr. Harold D’Souza, the Family Commission coordinator, warmly welcomed the gathering. The program was skilfully compered by Leslie Arouza, the Diocesan and Regional Secretary for the Family Commission, who also proposed the vote of thanks.