BIS #5295 BLESSED BY THEIR PRESENCE

by Father Bento D'Souza

KARJAT, JAN 19, 2018: Five newly ordained priests, Fathers Evangelo D'Souza, Ranson D'Souza, Anthony Patole, Renold Lemos and Velasli Bandya visited DBYS in Karjat to meet students at the institution on January 17.

The visit began with an interaction with 70 students at the various skill workshop classrooms, namely welding, electricians, Mahanagar gas-pipeline technologists and refrigeration and air-condition (RAC) apprentices.  
Father Monty Rodrigues, Director of the institute, welcomed the five priests and urged them to feel at home at the institute. A cultural programme was enacted to showcase the creation of man and woman as in book of Genesis in the holy Bible and the spiral of sin. Then the promise of the birth of the Messiah climaxed with the call of Jesus to the fishermen-disciples on the sea of Galilee, to be fishers of men. It was a drama dramatically done!

The event ended with the new priests blessing the youth by the laying of hands. Father Bento D'Souza sang the song, 'The call for more priests' on the tune of 'Once upon a time there was a tavern'. Father Renold Lemos then exhorted the youth in the audience to make use of the opportunities while they prepare themselves for the responsibilities of adulthood. The new priests then concelebrated Holy Mass with the community. Father Lemos was the officiating celebrant and shared his reflection on the readings of the day.