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Udupi : Archbishop of Agra, Most Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza from Moodubelle celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Episcopal Ordination with a solemn thanksgiving mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Sunday, 4 February 2018 at 10 am.  A large number of parishioners as well as priests, two of them elder brothers of  the Archbishop, Msgr. Mathew D’Souza and Fr. Edwin D’Souza along with other  family members of Archbishop Albert D’Souza participated in the solemn thanksgiving mass.

Archbishop Albert D’Souza concelebrated the holy mass along with his brothers Msgr. Mathew D’Souza, Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and Dean of Udupi Varado, Fr. Stany Tauro-Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva and Dean of Shirva Varado, Fr. Denis D’Sa-Parish priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar and PRO of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Valerian D’Souza-former Parish priest of Moodubelle, Fr. Bhaskar Yesuraj-Chancellor of Agra  Diocese, Fr. Vincent Fernandes from Kolkata, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Parish Priest of Moodubelle, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha-Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Alphonse D’Lima-Rector of Diocesan Minor Seminary, Naalkubeedhi and other priests.

In his homily Fr. Denis D’Sa said that Moodubelle parish has been known as the ‘cradle of vocations’ as the parish has been blessed with many priests and religious men and women serving as missionaries in different parts of India. The parish is proud of having had three Bishops-Late Bishop Alphonse D’Souza S.J., former Bishop of Raiganj Diocese West Bengal, elder brother of Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Bishop Salvadore Lobo-presently Bishop of Bhuraipur Diocese, West Bengal and Archbishop Albert D’Souza. Referring to Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Fr. Denis D’Sa said that God calls persons with humility, simplicity, dedication and detachment, the qualities that are found in Archbishop Albert D’Souza.  Fr. Denis D’Sa interpreted the scripture readings of the day and made the meaning relevant in modern times through the theology of Liberation.

The offertory procession was quite unique and significant. To commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Albetr D’Souza, 25 young children in spotless white dress presented 25 lighted decorated candles to the Archbishop followed by 25 flower  bouquets offered by members of Parish Pastoral Council, 25 varieties of vegetables offered by members of  Stree Sanghattan, ICYM members  and some of the family members.

At the end of the thanksgiving mass on behalf of the parishioners, a brief felicitation programme in honour of Archbishop Albert D’Souza was conducted by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas.  He read the citation written in the form of a poem. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha presented the citation to the Archbishop. Vincent Fernandes-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council and Mrs. Latha D’Mello-Secretary presented flower bouquets and Fr. Clement Mascarenhas presented the chalice to the Archbishop.

In his reply to the felicitation, Archbishop Albert D’Souza thanked Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and all the parishioners for their affection and honour bestowed on him. He recalled his days as a young boy in the parish and said that the tradition of family prayer and regularly attending the holy mass had inspired and encouraged him to join priesthood that too as a missionary in Northern India.  He remembered late Fr. Abundius D’Souza, the then parish priest who had sown the seeds of vocation in him. He made an appeal to parents to instill the love of prayer and attending masses among their children and also to promote vocations in their families.

Following the thanksgiving mass and brief felicitation programme in the church, around 1000 parishioners who had attended the mass were served with breakfast.

The main felicitation function in honour of Archbishop Albert D’Souza on the occasional of Episcopal Silver Jubilee Celebration was held at ‘Mudartha House’ the parental home of the Archbishop at Kattingeri.

Besides the Archbishop, his two brothers, Msgr. Mathew D’Souza, Fr. Edwin D’Souza and the former Parish priest of Moodubelle Fr. Valerian D’Souza and the present Parish priest, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas were on the dais.

The felicitation function started with the prayer song in Hindi composed by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and sung by the Choir of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.

Following the welcome address by  Conrad D’Souza, the nephew of Archbishop Albert D’Souza, the latter cut the cake along with his brothers.

The toast was raised by another nephew of the Archbishop, Ronald Saby D’Souza who  highlighted the finer qualities of his uncle and said that the Archbishop throughout his life has been known for humility, simplicity, dignity, honesty and integrity. He has the rare quality of not only connecting with his family members but also with people in general. As a Bishop of Lucknow and later as the Archbishop of Agra, he has been working hard to provide  shelters and institutions for the physically and mentally challenged children as well as orphans.  The Archbishop has touched thousands of people through his words and deeds.

Fr. Edwin D’Souza complimented Archbishop Albert D’Souza for having completed 25 years of Episcopal consecration. Further he said that his brother Bernard  and sister-in-law Mrs. Regina D’Souza has been the pillars of the Mudartha family which have held the family together.

Msgr. Mathew D’Souza in his message narrated the circumstances that led to the vocation of Archbishop Albert and the role played by him in getting him admitted to the seminary and the rest is history.

Fr. Valerian D’Souza speaking on this occasion said that nowhere in the Dioceses of Udupi or Mangalore one can find a family in which two had become Bishops, two priests and two nuns as the Mudartha family of Moodubelle. He expressed happiness at the fact the boy whom he had taught catechism  as an Assistant Parish Priest in Moodubelle went on not only to become a preist but a Bishop and later Archbishop.

Archbishop Albert D’Souza thanked Almighty God for everything that he had done in his life and in his family. He briefly narrated the circumstances that had led to his joining the priesthood. He was ordained a priest on 8 December 1974. After serving at various places in Uttar Pradesh, he was sent to Vatican for doctoral studies. Later on  7 February 1993 he was appointed as the Bishop of Lucknow and later on 11 April 2007 he was installed as the Archbishop of Agra. He further said that the love and affection that his family had given him has been the strength and foundation of his vocation.

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas recited the grace before the meal.  Francis Lobo, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I Ward proposed the vote of thanks and Godwin D’Souza compeered the programme interspersing with the anecdotes from the life of Archbishop Albert D’Souza.