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Udupi : Bishop Gerald calls new Presbytery of Pangla Parish as Seva Bhavan after the inaugural function of newly constructed attractive Presbytery on Saturday 19^th November 2016 at the stage function.

After the Inaugural function and blessing of Presbytery (Resident for priests and office of the parish) by all the guests of honour proceeded ceremoniously with the band played by members of St. John’s Band, Pangla Parish to the stage for the stage program wherein a large number of people gathered.   The stage program began with a beautiful prayer song by members of Church Choir followed by a mind blowing prayer dance performance by little kids of St. John English Medium School students.

All the honorary guests were escorted to the dais by Mark Vaz (VP Parish Council) and Ms. Simi D’Souza (Secretary, Parish Council).  Mr. Mark Vaz accorded a warm welcome to all the guests of honour on dais and felicitated them with Jasmine garlands namely to Ex. Minister Mr. Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Bishop Gerald Lobo, V. Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes (Vicar General, Udupi Diocese), V. Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro (Vicar, Shirva Deanery), Ms. Juliet Veera D’Souza (President, Katapady Gram Panchayath), Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal St. John Academy) and Sr. Lilly. 

Fr. Leslie expressed his feeling and thanked each and every one for the selfless service, donations, and efforts towards building of the Presbytery.  He further said, it is not important whether we have built big or small Presbytery or it is good or bad but the purpose is to live in there with utmost peace and harmony.  It will be a center of peace for everyone enters for many pastoral purposes and not only a place to reside for priests.  Secondly, in God’s eye everyone is equal and there is no difference between Catholic orNon-Catholic, rich or poor. We all must leave in peace and If there is no God’s blessing nothing will work out.   Shankerpura is famous for Jasmine similarly let peace and harmony spread through the world from this parish he said. He thanked all the guests of honour and priests who attended the function in large numbers.  He was grateful to all the people involved in construction of this beautiful Presbytery.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sorake said he was little afraid to enter today as Fr. Leslie is a bit strict when it comes to job.  He not only built Residence for priests but also equally concerned about building houses for the poor which he was regularly following with me for financial grant which I am happy that I have done it before my visit today.   Secondly, this place is not only a place of worship but an educational hub.  Thousands have been well educated from here through the educational institutions built in this church from a century and it is due to the education of people, there is progress and development everywhere.  Every bank in this area has deposit of rs.100 crores and that speaks volumes of financial strength of the people around here and he is very proud to be associated with Shankerpura Church and people of Shankerpura.  He further said a lot of steps taken towards development of area into a Tourism Corridor and steps have been taken to develop this area especially double road from Katapady to Shirva, Shirva to Belman and then to Karkal St. Lawrence Basilica.  Also steps have been taken to clear the waste appropriately by allocating separate land at Elluru for dump yard and reconvert it into manure.  Also to ease water scarcity, water from the river will be utilized for drinking purpose soon.  Finally, our daily problem of electricity, he said will be solved very soon.

Speaking on the occasion Fr. Tauro said he always used to glance at our church clean surrounding maintained by Fr. Leslie while passing from this road but now he has decided to stop over and spend a few hours at the beautifully built Presbytery at Pangla Parish.  Humorously, he said actually, he is bit jealous of it as it is much better and attractive than what is built in Shirva at his Parish.  However, the credit goes to you people of Pangla and especially to Fr. Leslie for his able leadership to constructing this Presbytery.  He also praised Pangla Parish and people for all out development, education, leadership.  He said in Shirva deanery he considers Pangla as the best parish.

Vicar General  Fr. Baptist also spoke on the occasion.  “ Normally, I do not visit a place if bishop goes however, the members of parish council of Pangla kindly requested me to attend this function.  That shows the love and affection you have towards me.  Let this Presbytery be a center of peace of harmony and let love and affection spread all around from this place” he said.

Ms. Juliet Veera  also spoke on the occasion and congratulated parishioners for building a wonderful residence for the priests.

On the occasion the main engineer and contractors and workers of new Presbytery were honoured by Bishop namely Engineer Sandeep Almeida, Contractor Maxim Alva and Ashok Poojari.  Also on the occasion owner of Jasmine Catering Robert Fernandes was honoured by Bishop for sponsoring the lunch for all the people attended the inaugural function.  Finally, the provider of pure vegetarian food for 3000 people who attended the inaugural function Raghav Bhatt too was honoured by Bishop.

Many other personnel who were associated in constructing the Residence was also honoured namely Anil D’Sa (Anil Sounds and Electricity), Elias Monis (Contractor).

A special honour was given to Fr. Leslie D’Souza on behalf of parishioners of Pangla for his able leadership in completion of beautiful Presbytery and Church office for the future priests.  He was honoured by Bishop Gerald with a shawl, garland and a fruit basket.

In his presidential address Bishop thanked each and every Pangalites for their contribution whether it is in money wise or various other means to construct the Presbytery.  He said Fr. Leslie never wanted it to build during his tenure but the parishioners wanted it as it was in very dilapidated status and needed urgent re-construction.  Bishop said it is not Presbytery but “SEVA BHAVAN” because visit this place frequently for their daily needs.  It has a big office to provide all sort of service to the parishioners so it is actually a service or helping centre rather than Residence for Priests.  Priests come and go but building remains here for the parishioners he said.  “ Today I feel very proud to be amongst you on your joyful moment and especially thank you as you have built this Seva Bhavan to the priests as it shows your love and affection towards the priests of the diocese.  Let more and more people also benefit from this place and let also build strong families of love and affection similar to this strong building.   God has blessed this construction and with His blessing it is completed successfully and also a very attractive and beautiful SEVA BHAVAN he said.

Ms. Seema D’Souza (Parish Secretary) proposed the vote of thanks.

The entire stage program was wonderfully compered by Walston D’Sa and Flavia Mathias.