Parish News

Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese paid an official visit to the Urwa Parish on 14th and 15th October 2023.

At 10 a.m., His Excellency was welcomed with a bouquet of flower by the Parish Priest Fr Benjamin Pinto, Asst Parish Priest Fr Johnson Denzil Pereira, Residential Priest Rev Fr Henry Sequeira, Superior of Ladyhill Convent Sr Violet Tauro, Vice-President of the Pastoral Council Mr Lloyd Lobo, Secretary Mrs Sylvia Mascarenhas and the Co-ordinator of the 21 Commission Mr Kevin Martis. The Parish Pastoral Council Members and parishioners also were present.
The events that followed the arrival and reception are:

• 10.30 a.m: Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, addressed the teaching and non-teaching staff members of the three schools of the Church namely St Aloysius Primary School, Pompei High School and St Aloysius English Medium School.
• 12 noon: The Bishop visited the Assumption Convent at Ladyhill.
• 3.45p.m: Catechism was taught to the 76 candidates of Confirmation followed by Eucharistic Celebration with administering the Sacrament of Confirmation.
  After mass, the Bishop visited the cemetery and conducted the prayer service.
• 6:30p.m: A meeting with Parish Finance Council regarding the financial progress of the Church was held.
• 7:00p.m: A meeting with Parish Pastoral Council was held. The activities undertaken by the 21 Commission were discussed and appreciated and future plans put forth.
• 9:00p.m: The Bishop checked all the documents of the church.
  On 15th October 2023 at 7:00a.m, catechism for adults and children by His Excellency was organized and it was followed by mass. During the Mass, the Bishop provided guidance on how our prayers can be made fruitful and constructive.
• 9:30a.m.: The Bishop met the parents of the seminarians.
• 10:00a.m: The Bishop addressed all the members of different associations. Reports of the activities of the associations were read out. Appreciating the work of the associations, the Bishop urged the members to share how the activities made a difference to them and gave suggestions for conducting the activities more effectively.
• 3:30p.m: The Bishop visited the sick people of the Parish.
• 4:30p.m: The Bishop participated in the small Christian Community Ward meeting held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Ward.

The agenda of the Bishop’s two-day visit to the parish was to enlighten the parishioners on how to strengthen their faith, laying special emphasis on the faith formation of youth and children. Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha’s presence, motivation and blessings have encouraged the members to work hard towards organizing more effective service activities for the development of Urwa Church.