Cannanore Connection

Two weeks ago I received an invitation from the Cannanore(Kannur) Konkani Catholic Association to celebrate the festal Eucharist in honour of St Anne. Thus I prepared well, was ready and eager to meet the Konkani Catholic faithful of Cannanore. I do remember the memory shared by my Dad that many many years ago when my Dad’s mom (my Grandmother) was a young girl she was sent to work as a housemaid at Cannanore.

This morning I was up by 5’clock. Travelled by Train - Parashuram Express to Cannanore, Kerala. My train started at 5.25am and reached the Cannore station at 7.40. Mr Laveen was ready to receive me, he then reached me to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Cannaore. There I experience a wonderful hospitality of Fr Martin, the young assistant parish priest of the Cathedral. After a heavy breakfast Fr Kuryakos, Capuchin took me to St Damiano, Capuchin Friary where we had a wonderful sharing of Capuchin history and life in Cannanore and Mangalore.

We began the festal celebration at 11 am. Around 150 people participated in this Eucharistic celebration and preached a homily on the gospel of the day where Jesus broke and shared bread and fish to the crowd of 5000 people.

After the Eucharistic celebration sumptuous lunch was served. The biryani was tasty. I visited the Thalleri parish where they have a newly ordained priest as the Parish Priest. Most of the priests in Cannore diocese are the alumnae of St Joseph seminary Jeppu.

I visited Mrs Joyce’s home. At 2.30 pm I travelled by Mangalore – Nagarkoi express and reached my room in time for a good day’s rest.

During my train journey, I had a wonderful companion in the person of Vinod Mehta, whose ‘Lucknow Boy’ I’m reading these days.  

Silent Beauties...

A walk in our small garden brought me joy and peace. This small yet beautiful garden of our St. Anne's friary is well taken care by our professor emeritus Fr Felix Dsouza one who thought me philosophy during my Seminary Days. God bless his hard efforts along with our student brothers Brs  Darel, Jason, Pawan and our staff Ramesh. 

These are the silent beauties, a gift from the Lord. 

A visit to Fathimapura

Life goes on and on... Its going to be two years as priest. To be exact I will be completing two years as a priest on 21st April 2018. Still few months to go. I'm reminded of my ordination today because my junior companion Friar Santhosh was ordained today(18th January 2018) at Fathimapura Church, Sakleshpura. I attended the ceremony. On 14th of January it was the ordination of Friar Kiran Monis. It was held in Gardady Parish and i  attended this event too.
This morning we started our journey at 5.30am and reached the Fathimapura church by 9.30am. The journey by our TUV vehicle was wonderful. Fr Salvadore drew the vehicle, Fr Melwyn, Fr Manohar and Fr Maxim gave a good company. 

The best part of the Eucharist was the Sermon by Bishop T. Anthony Swami, the Bishop of Chikmagalur Diocese. He shared the significance of a priest in the life of the faithful and the world at large.  The authority granted to a priest to forgive the sinners and administer the sacred sacraments is a blessing that the Lord will never take back. Listening to his sermon I thanked my Lord of this wonderful gift of Priesthood. The choir was wonderful. The offertory hymn made me emotional.
After the ordination ceremony I met good many children. I shared with them the vocation calendars and cards. I also met many friars who came from different communities. I returned home with a sense of joy and happiness.

I wish both Fr Santhosh and Fr Kiran a wonderful life as priests in the holy Catholic Church and joyful Friars in the Capuchin Order.

Here below are a few photos clicked randomly on my phone.

On the way to Fathimapura in a coffie canteen we met the Friars of Dayalbagh Ashram

The altar boys and girls.

Fr Charles 

Fr Dolphy Pais, the provincial with Bishop 

T Anthony Swami.

Bishop with the New Priests Fr Santhosh and Kiran

With Fr Charles

With Fr Royston and JB Gonzalves. 

Teachers are special...

Indeed teachers are a special creation of God. Mother or a parent is the first teacher on earth they say. On the course of life's journey, we come across a number of teachers who add wealth and richness to our lives. We don't choose teachers rather we are destined with the gift of teachers.

Today I gratefully remember and thank God for the gift of teachers in my life. They are numerous. Yet, without naming them I bow my head and with utmost respect pray for them.

God bless you, my teachers for your selfless service to the humanity.

Yours is a Vocation and not just a profession. God be praised through you!

Simplicity is his attitude...

Recently I visited my friend priest Fr Santhosh, the Parish Priest of Ranipura Church, Mangalore. I first met him years back during my Vocation ministry at St Rita's Church, Panja - Sulya Taluk.

Along with Bootry

He is Chickoo

With Fr Santhosh

This mother cat was brought from my parental house.

He is a gentle man. He has such a generous heart that he accepts and loves everyone who comes on his way. One common thing between us is that we both are animal lovers. 'My precious possessions are the pet animals', he says. 

If you ever visit him you are sure to find dogs, cats, birds, and plenty of flower pots around him. The love of creatures makes him more approachable and simple. 

He has taken up the work of building the presbytery of his parish.  I wish him all the best in his priestly parish ministry.