Sacerdotal Golden & Platinum Jubilee of Fr. Charles D Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese celebrated

BALLARI, DEC.13,2018( Ms. Sagaya): Sacerdotal Golden jubilee & Platinum Birthday of Rev. Fr. Charles D'Souza celebrated here at 05.30p.m at Sacred Heart Church, in the premises of St. John's group of Institutions, Fort, Ballari.

Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was the climax of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The joy was enhanced by the graceful presence of Bishop Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Bellary.

In his homily Bishop thanked Fr. Charles, for his long dedicated service to the Bellary Diocese. "Priestly vocation is fulfilled not only by the call of the Lord but continued listening to his Word and abiding by His Will" the bishop said and cautioned about people who mislead and divert from following the Lord.

A felicitation programme followed Holy Eucharist at St. John's PU College campus, Fort, Ballari. Mr.Arogyadas, a teacher of St.John's High School,Fort & Mr. Herbert Menezes ( his nephew) thanked Fr.Charles for his incredible contribution to Bellary Diocese. He was born on 19 th October, 1943 to Sri Basil D' Souza & Mary D' Souza at Agrar, Mangalore District and ordained in Dec.21,1968 at his native by Bishop Ambrose Yeddanapalli. He was a Silver gift to Bishop Ambrose Yeddanapalli. It was the year of Bishop Ambrose's .Sacerdotal Silver jubilee. Fr. Charle' s has two other priest brothers Rev. Frs. Bernard & Herald D' Souza and a Religious nun Rev. Sr. Stephany D'Souza.

It is a rare coincidence that our Golden Priest has a Platinum of his birth as well and he is celebrating his Sacerdotal Golden while active in his pastoral ministry. The diocese of Bellary has witnessed such rare occasions earlier of celebrating Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee while Priests were in active ministry. They are Msgr. Joseph Pinto(1977) , Msgr. Antony Kuttiyani (2002)who were Vicar Generals for many years. Fr. Ambrose Staskunas OFM(1977)Frs. Joachim Tinenny OFM(2005),

Fr. Charles, a zealous, tireless, simple, unassuming and totally committed to the mission entrusted to him. The yeomen services of the jubilarian in this Bellary Mission Diocese.

The golden jubilarian Fr. Charles started his ministry in the Diocese in different capacities such as Asst. Parish Priest, in Sacred Heart Church, Mudgal (1969-71, Parish Priest in Hirenaganoor(1971-72),Mudgal(1972-75),Kowtal(1975-79),Sirwar(1979-86),Jawelgera Farm(1986-94),Shahabad(1994-99),Gangavathi/School (1999-2004),Lingasugur(2004- 09), Cathedral(2009-14) and Fort(2014- till date)

He was instrumental to start Sirwar Mission in Raichur district. For many years he resided in a small hut and part of his hut was used as a chapel. He had brought many souls from Kurkundi, Seventhikal, Hera ,Bhumalgunda, Narbande, Navalkal, Kalmal & Sagubai to the Lord. While serving in Kowtal, he bought land in Jinnapur village for the poor and wasinstrumental in constructing 80 houses for the poor people of Kowtal and Sirwar parishes. St. Antony's Cathedral church was renovated in the year of Faith when Fr. Charles was the Parish Priest. Fr. Charles brought the healing power of God's grace to everyone in need. He stayed close to the maginalised. In the words of Pope Francis, Fr. Charles was a Shepherd for the sheep entrusted to him.

He has made huge effort as a Director of Church Farm to secure all the Jawelgera Church Farm's landed properties and made them cultivatable. He had undergone various ordeals in 1992 visiting various Govt. departments even to the High court of Karnataka to secure the Church land.

He also served as a member college of consulters, Finance council, Senate , presently Chancellor of the diocese. He was the Dean of Gulburga ( before the erection of Gulburga diocese), Lingasugur & Ballari deaneries.

He was in charge of various Commissions & Committees in the Diocese, particularly preparing Catechism syllabus for the School children. His contribution to fix the parish boundaries was commendable.

Recently he worked hard to construct the Sacred Heart Community Hall in Fort , Bellary through Minority Grant under Christian Development council, Govt. of Karnataka which under progress.

Bishop Henry D Souza lauded the services of Fr. Charles for the Church. and noted his exemplary prayerful and disciplined live throughout his Priestly life. Bishop thanked Fr.Maxim Dias ( PRO), Fr.Jose Prakash( Manager, St.John's gp of Institutions) & Fr.Rayappa Kandalli ( Asst.Manager, St.John's School) and the Parishioners particularly the Parish Council and their collaborators for the well organized program and urged the people to be generous to encourage their children to be at the service of the Lord's vineyard.

Fr. Charles gratefully recalled the former prelates namely Bishop John Forest Hogan OFM, Bishop Ambrose Yeddanapalli OFM, Bishop Joseph D'Silva and present Bishop Henry D'Souza for their constant support and encouragement. He also thanked all those who walked with him to do the Lord's mission.

Fr. Joseph Nalapad from Ernakulum, Kerala a friend and batch mate in the seminary of Fr. Charles was also felicitated at the occasion.

The function ended with a jubilee meal.