Mangaluru: The St. Joseph’s Church at Neermarga is gearing up for its golden jubilee celebration. Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore accompanied by Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, archbishop of Calcutta will preside over the thanksgiving Eucharist to mark the golden jubilee celebration of the establishment of the Neermarga Parish at 4 PM on April 30.
Briefing about the Golden Jubilee Celebrations to the media, parish council members said, the 9-day Novena with various activities had been planned beginning with the “Hore Kanike” procession on April 21.
“Yuvajanotsava” and sporting events will be held on April 22 and the following two days are earmarked for the aged and the sick. April 24 and 26 are dedicated for children and couples respectively.
A multi-religious convention (Sarva Dharma Sammelan) will be held on April 25 which will be presided over by the Bishop of Shimoga diocese Most Rev. Francis Serro. Mohandas Paramhamsa Swamiji of Sri Mahalkshmi Kshetra and Islamic scholar Maulana U K Abdul Aziz will be other dignitaries representing Hindu and Muslim communities on the occasion.
April 27 is dedicated for the departed souls and April 29 is meant for the spiritual renewal while April 28 is earmarked for various organisations working in the parish.
Fr. Victor Machado, Sr. Flory D’Souza and Secretary of Diocesan Council M P Noronha are likely to take part in the celebrations as chief guests.
Parish Priest Fr. Anil D’Mello is leading the parish community in the festal celebrations. The parish established in 1968 with 170 families has around 470 families today, with most from agricultural background drawing inspiration from their patron saint, St. Joseph, the worker.
A Kannada medium school is functioning within the parish precincts which has played a vital role in educating thousands of children for over 102 years since establishment.
Parish Council Vice President Prakash Pereira, Secretary Gerald Lobo, Convenor Arun D’Souza, Media Advisor E Fernandes from Four Winds, Prasad Pereira representing Publicity Committee were present during the press briefing.
