INAUGURATION OF THE CERTIFICATE COURSE AND JUBILEE/BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS @ RYSHIVANA
At Ryshivana Spirituality Institute for Inner silence and contemplation, the annual Certificate course in Spirituality was solemnly inaugurated on Saturday, 7 August 2021, by Rev. Fr. Pius James D’Souza, the Provincial of the Karnataka Goa Province, by lighting the lamp. This year there are altogether 24 participants from various congregations. Besides, there are retreatants who frequent the institute for spiritual nourishment.

The event was doubly made memorable by the Jubilee celebrations. Fr. Joe Tauro, who celebrated his golden Jubilee of religious Profession. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, the Director of the centre and Fr. John Lobo, completed their 60 years, Shashtipoorti.

The Solemn Eucharist was celebrated at 10.30 am by Fr. Provincial along with Msgr. Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, the Jubilarians, Fr. Deep Fernandes, the Councillor in charge of Spirituality and 25 concelebrants. Fr. Provincial in his homily spoke on Conviction and commitment in religious life.

Soon after the Eucharist, Mr. V.L. Rego, the Pioneer who started the Yoga centre at Ryshivana along with Fr. Rudolf D’Souza, the donor, cut the ribbon and inaugurated the newly elevated statue of Jesus Christ, which has become a new landmark in Ranipura. Then the three jubilarians inaugurated the newly erected lift facility in the main building. The Vicar General then blessed these facilities.

During the stage program, Fr. Charles Serrao, the Superior of Carmel Hill, proposed the toast in honour of Fr. Joe Tauro, his companion. Fr. John Sequeira, proposed the toast in honour of Fr. Archibald Gonsalves and Fr. Melvin D’Cunha, the Provincial councillor and Parish priest of Mira Road, proposed toast in honour of Fr. John Lobo. After cutting the jubilee cake, the jubilarians were honoured by Fr. Provincial, a community representative and the toast master. Shanthi Dham sisters’ choir sang the jubilee song.

The dignitaries of the day included Rev. Sr. Susheela, the UFS Mother General, Sr. Rita Vas, the UFS Provincial, Fr. Cyprian Pinto, the Dean and Fr. Jayaprakash, the Parish Priest and Mr. Wilfred, Munnur Panchayat President and Mr. Naveen and Mrs. Rita Panchayat members. All the dignitaries were honoured, Fr. Archie, the Director expressed sentiments of gratitude in the name of the jubilarians and then thanked one and all for the grand celebration. Fr. Wilfred Rodrigues and Fr. Lancy Mendonca were specially thanked for organising the event. Mr. V. L. Rego was then felicitated by Fr. Provincial, Vicar General and Fr. Gregory D’Souza, the founder of Ryshivana, at his completion of 75 years. In spite of the lockdown, and covid restrictions, everyone savoured the sweetness of the celebration.