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Kundapur: Fr. Philip Neri of Basrur in Kundapur taluk, Most Rev Dr. John Carvallo, who took charge as the new Bishop of Ajmer diocese, offered the first thanksgiving Mass at his native place on Monday.

In the midst of torrential rains, Bishop of Udupi diocese Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Bellary diocese Most Rev. Dr Henry D’Souza, retired Bishop of Jaipur diocese Most Rev. Dr Oswald J Lewis, Bishop of Karwar diocese Most Rev. Dr Umming Dias, several priests, nuns and hundreds of devotees participated in the mass.
In the programme held after the mass, the new Bishop, Most Rev Dr. John Carvallo, was felicitated on behalf of St Philip Nery Church by the faculty of Niveditha School, Basrur.
Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, said that the post of Bishop is not a bed of flowers but a great responsibility bestowed by God. A bishop has a special responsibility to carry the holy cross of Jesus with the faithful under his diocese and to give them good guidance. It is a matter of pride for everyone that he was born in a small village called Basrur in Udupi district and became the Bishop of the remote Ajmer diocese.
No matter how high the honour, but even more the weight of it, the ordination of bishops makes them fully partakers of Jesus priesthood but also of Jesus sacrifice. Just as Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on the cross for the betterment of mankind, a bishop must dedicate himself for the betterment of his followers. Jesus anointed us to build a holy congregation that would go hand in hand and wished good service to everyone in the Ajmer diocese under his control.
In his homily, the new Bishop, Most Rev Dr. John Carvallo, congratulated all those who were responsible for the success of the programme.
Most Rev Dr Oswald J Lewis, retired Bishop of Jaipur Diocese and Monsignor Edward Oliveira, Vicar General of Jaipur Diocese were present on the occasion.
Kundapur deanery Dean Very Rev Fr Paul Rego, Ajmer diocese parish priest Fr Clement Coutinho, Bethany Congregation Mother General Sr Rose Celine, Fr Margrethe Carvallo, mother of Bishop Dr John Carvallo, Sr Prema Carvallo, sister and Jacintha Mendonca, vice-president of Basrur Philip Neri parish pastoral council were present.
Rev Fr Roy Lobo welcomed the gathering. Parish Pastoral Commissions convener Lawrence Baretto delivered vote of thanks. Rev Fr Ashwin Aranha compared the programme.