“This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it.” On November 22nd, on the feast of Christ the King, the parishioners of Risen Christ Church at Kowtal witnessed a great and joyful celebration with their Diocesan shepherd Bishop Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Ballari. The whole parish was eagerly waiting to receive the Bishop, who is to come to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. As soon as he arrived, he was welcomed and received by Rev. Fr. Ivan Pinto, Parish Priest.

It was a long ceremony of two and half hours. The children were happy to receive this Sacrament of Holy Spirit. During the Holy Eucharist Bishop addressed both the Conformation as well as Holy Communion candidates that they should give prime importance to God and to His good deeds who is the King of our lives. Further, Bishop stated saying that our ornaments should be our actions which we should wear in our day today life. He also gave an instance of a Supreme court judge Mr. Kurian Joseph, who always gave first prominence to God by attending the Holy Eucharist daily and he was ready to serve as altar boy, if there was a chance.

At the end of the Holy Eucharist a felicitation function was arranged to honour the Religious Sisters on the occasion of “Year of Consecrated Life”. Bishop Henry D’Souza felicitated Rev Sr. Divya, Superior, Rev Srs. Theresa, Regi, Flavia Kanti and Shilpa, who belong to the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity. The neighbourhood priests Rev. Fr. Antony Fernandes, parish priest of St. Antony’s Church, Chikkahesarur, Rev Fr. DevNesan parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, Hutti Gold Mines and Rev. Fr. Yagappa, the Estate Manager of the Diocese of Ballari were also present.

After the function, Bishop met all the Parish Pastoral Council members and village representatives. Bishop stressed more on taking of leadership and sharing the responsibility of the parish to work hand in hand to uplift the poorest of the poor.

At last, Fr. Ivan Pinto, Parish Priest thanked Most Rev Dr Henry D’Souza for administering the Sacraments and for his encouraging words. He also thanked Rev Fr. Stanislaus Job Thondial, the Assistant parish Priest, The Local Sisters, Regent and Catechist for their hard efforts to collect these children from 18 village sub-stations and preparing them well to receive the sacrament.