Family Commission of Udupi Diocese (JIVIT) organized the Married Couples’ Day at Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva on Saturday, 24 October 2015 with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration and a get-together thereafter. Around 300 couples from Shirva Deanery took part in this rare and unique event.
The couples dressed in the traditional attire marched into the church in procession with the melody of the brass band. Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi offered the Mass, assisted by Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church and Dean of Shirva Deanery and a few other other priests. Bishop offered special prayers for all the married couples and exhorted them to continue their family life in love and fidelity to God, to each other and to their children.
The Eucharist was followed by a felicitation program in the parish auditorium. During the formal function, the longest married couple who are married for 66 years (Pernal Parish) and the youngest married couple who are married for 1 month (Shirva Parish) were felicitated. V. Rev. Fr Stany Tauro raised the toast and wished well to all the married couples gathered that day for the celebration.
After the formal function the students of Don Bosco English Medium School presented dance programme; Sunil Cabral and team presented some skits. Leslie Aroza, the Director of Family Life Commission wished the couples well.
Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Rev. Fr. Vincent Lobo, Rev. Fr. Stephan Lewis, Wilson D’Souza-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Valerian Machado-Coordinator of Family Life Commission in Shirva Deanery were present. Bishop Gerald Lobo honored all the donors of the programme.
Valerian Machado Convener of Family Commission of Shirva Deanery welcomed the gathering and Sunil D’Souza of Mudarangadi compered the progamme. The program concluded with a sumptuous lunch.
