by Father Leon Rodrigues
UTTAN, JAN 1, 2017: Our Lady of the Sea Church, Uttan witnessed the priestly ordination of three young men, Salesian Father Velasli Bandya, Capuchin 
Father Baritan Nigrel and Jesuit Father Lloyd Sambrea on December 30.
Bishop Emeritus Edwin Colaco ordained them in the presence of over 100 priests, religious, brothers and sisters. The Bishop Emeritus, in his homily, said that he was presented with a very unique proposition as he had to ordain three candidates from different congregations.
Bishop Colaco said that our Lord Jesus Christ was a great teacher who would take a simple object from nature and use it to explain the workings of the kingdom of God. He put forth his point drawing upon an example of three daughters-in-laws who were newly married into a household.
Three of them had to fetch water in the morning for the day, he said, adding, how they fetched water was not important, as long as they completed the task.
The Bishop added that it was the same with the varied congregations in the Church. Each congregation is called to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord to the ends of the earth in their own unique way, he said, and therefore it was his pleasure to ordain these three young men from three different congregations.
The Bishop then spoke to the Ordinandi asking them to strengthen the five pillars that would help them in their priesthood. He told them to pray, adding that chastity could be moulded through prayer. He also called them to obedience and to uphold the Sacrament of the Church especially the sacred Body of Christ and finally he asked them to lead a life of sacrifice for the kingdom of God.
The melodious music added to the solemnity of the occasion as three young men were elevated to the altar of the Lord. The Sons of Our Lady of the Sea, Uttan are now Fishers of Men!