The Udupi Diocesan Senior Citizen Club and the Udupi Diocesan Family Commission jointly organized a senior citizen pilgrimage to St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur – Karkala on March 15, 2024.
Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Udupi Diocese, celebrated the Holy Eucharist along with Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of the Udupi Diocese; V. Rev. Fr Paul Rego, Dean of Karkal Deanery; V. Rev. Fr Alban D’Souza, Rector of St Lawrence Basilica Attur; Rev. Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese; Rev. Fr Anil D’Souza, Parish Priest of Perampally Parish; Rev. Fr Henry Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Pamboor Parish; Rev. Fr Harold Pereira, Parish Priest of Kanajar Parish; and other priests. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves preached the meaningful homily. At the end of the mass, a prayer for the elderly and a St Lawrence relic blessing were given by the Bishop.
Soon after the mass, legal information for elderly people was held at St Lawrence Community Hall. Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo; Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves; V. Rev. Fr Alban D’Souza; V. Rev. Fr Paul Rego; Mrs Sharmila S., Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary District Legal Service Authority, Udupi District; Mr Niranjan Bhat, Retired Senior Citizens Welfare Officer, Udupi District; Mr Alphonse D’Costa, President of the Udupi Diocesan Senior Citizens Club; Mr Irwin D’Souza, Vice President of the Udupi Diocesan Senior Citizens Club; and Mrs Irine D’Souza, Secretary of the Udupi Diocesan Senior Citizens Club, were present on the dais.
Mrs Sharmila S. and Mr Bhat gave information about legal matters for elderly people. They provided various examples to help the audience better understand legal information.
Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo and V. Rev. Fr Alban D’Souza addressed the gathering and thanked them for coming to St Lawrence Basilica and praying for St Lawrence's blessing on their health. They also congratulated Mr Leslie Arouza for arranging such a wonderful program for elderly people. Mr Leslie Arouza, Director of the Family Commission, announced that henceforth, the last week of July should be celebrated as the Feast of the Elderly in our diocese.
Mr Alphonse D’Costa welcomed the gathering, and Mr Irwin D’Souza proposed a vote of thanks. Mr Leslie Arouza concluded the program. Mementos were distributed to all attendees, and a fellowship meal was served to all who attended the program.