Udupi : Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese inaugurated the “Amoris Laetitia Family” Year at Diocesan Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Amoris Laetitia Family year marking the beginning of the yearlong celebration in the Udupi diocese on the theme “Our Daily Love”, in which all support families and accompany them along the journey of life.

The celebrations began with lighting the lamp by Bishop, old aged layman, child, vice president of parish pastoral council, secretary of the parish council, Rector of the cathedral and other priests.

The Eucharistic mass concelebrated by Bishop Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Cathedral, Rev Fr. Vincent Crasta, Secretary of CESU and Director of Commission for Proclamation and Evangelization,, Rev Fr. Stephen D’Souza Director of Commission for Bible, Catechetics, Liturgy and Rev Fr. Canute Noronha Asst parish priest.

In his homily Bishop said that when God chose to present Himself to us a Child, He re-sanctified the human family, Jesus was born in a secure, loving and committed family which had its beginning in marriage. The family is born of the love of a man and a woman who decide to enter a stable union in order to build together a new family. The truth is that the human family is an icon of the Sacred Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and as such reflects the love of the divine Trinity who is the true core of every family. All human families are one because of what the Holy Family teaches us that love is meant for unity and all love is rooted in the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. WE honor Joseph, Mary and Jesus. WE pay tribute to the Holy Trinity who elevated the family as the first temple of the Holy Spirit and the first school of holiness.

Bishop said that we are keenly aware that family life is not an easy life, but we are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. If we immerse ourselves within the Family of God we can learn how to live the virtues of the family: compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, gentleness and patience.

At the end of the mass, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca placed the weekly announcements and thanked the bishop, priests who participated in the Eucharistic celebrations.

After the mass, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo unveiled the banner and logo of the “Amoris Laetitia” Year along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rev Fr Vincent Crasta, Rev Fr. Stephan D Souza, Rev Fr Canute Noronha, Leslie Aroza, Director of Commission for Family, Diocese of Udupi, Jeffrey Dais and Felciana Lewis.

Leslie Aroza thanked and gave gratitude to all concerned for giving support for his mission for the diocese since seven years after the establishment of the new diocese as well as Catholics in the state who appointed officials of the state family commission recently.

Prior to the final blessing by the Bishop, he presented his message on the family year which started from 21.03.2021 to 26.06.2022.