August 6, 2017: It was a memorable day in the life of Fr Stany Pereira. On August 2nd, he had completed 50 years of his life and the parishioners of Urwa had arranged a thanksgiving Mass and a felicitation programme to honour the Jubilarian on Sunday, August 6th.
Fr Stany celebrated the mass and thanked God for all the choicest blessings throughout these 50 years. Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore, Fr Pius James D’Souza, the Episcopal Vicar for Religious and several priests from Mangalore and Udupi dioceses concelebrated the mass. Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Ammembal Parish, broke the Word of God.
Soon after the Mass, the stage was set for the felicitation ceremony. The felicitation programme began with a prayer song by the parish children Choir. Then through the welcome dance the gathering was welcomed. The programme was presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore diocese, Sr Jacintha Pereira, the sister of Fr Stany, Mr Jonas Pereira, the brother of Fr Stany, Sr Celine Veera, the superior of Annunciation Convent, Urwa, Fr Johnson Sequeira, Fr Nelson Pais, the assistant parish priests, Mr Francis Saldanha, Mrs Lucy D’Souza, vice president and secretary of parish pastoral Parishad respectively.
Fr Johnson Sequeira welcomed the guests and parishioners. Fr Stany Pereira along with the bishop celebrated the joy of the jubilee by cutting the cake. Then, our ICYM and YCS members distributed the cake and juice for all. At the same time, the video on Fr Stany Pereira’s life was aired to the gathering. The president of the programme, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza addressed the gathering and lauded the selfless service of Fr Stany as a priest in the diocese of Mangalore. Thereafter, he felicitated the jubilarian.
Mr Francis Saldanha read the letter of honour and it was presented to Fr Stany Pereira on behalf of the parish community by the vice president and secretary, while the Assistant Parish Priests honoured Fr Stany Pereira. Both the Konkani and English Choir members of the Parish sang the wishing songs. All the Ward leaders and representatives of all the associations of the parish greeted Fr Stany with floral bouquets. The Family Members of Fr Stany Pereira came forward and verbalized their sentiments, sang a melodious wishing song and felicitated the jubilarian, Fr Stany Pereira. At the end Fr Stany Pereira shared his loving thoughts to the parishioners and guests.
Mrs Lucy D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Nelson Pais prayed over the food and the food was served to all the gathered. The entire programme was compered by Mr Wilson and Mrs Vinola D’Souza. The programme turned out to be a great success due to the combined efforts of the Parish Pastoral Council, the various Committees, their respective in-charges and the guidance of the assistant parish priests. The jubilee celebration was witnessed by about 1,500 people.
