Devout Celebration of St Vincent de Paul Feast at St Lawrence Church, Bondel
Mangaluru, 28 September 2025 — With heartfelt devotion and a deep sense of community, the Bondel unit of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) joyfully celebrated the feast of their patron, St Vincent de Paul, at St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel.
The celebration commenced with a Eucharistic Mass at 7:00 a.m., presided over by Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Priest. The liturgy was prayerfully led by SVP members, setting a reverent tone for the day.
Following the Mass, a short programme was held in the Church Mini Hall at 8:00 a.m. It began with a prayer service led by SVP members, invoking God’s blessings upon the gathering. In the presence of Fr Lawrence Cutinha and Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, the members of the SVP Society solemnly renewed their oath, reaffirming their commitment to service and charity.
Mr Prakash Pinto, President of SVP Bondel, extended a warm welcome to the guests. Mrs Shiney Monteiro, Treasurer, presented the annual report, highlighting the key activities and achievements of the society over the past year.
Among the dignitaries on the dais were Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School; Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest; Mr John D’Silva, Vice-President of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mr Prakash Pinto, President of SVP; Mr Gratian Lobo, Secretary; and Mrs Shiney Monteiro, Treasurer.
In his message, Fr Peter Gonsalves underscored the essential role of the SVP Society in the life of the parish, urging the faithful to support its mission and prayerfully consider joining. Reflecting on the legacy of St Vincent de Paul, renowned for his compassion and unwavering service to the poor, he reminded all that the society’s charitable works embody God’s mission of love and mercy.
Mr John D’Silva congratulated SVP members on the feast day, acknowledging their selfless dedication and service. He commended their role in uplifting the less fortunate and encouraged continued commitment to their noble mission.
This year’s celebration holds special significance as SVP Bondel marks its Golden Jubilee (1975–2025). In honor of this milestone, Mr Bonaventure D’Souza, a parishioner and generous donor, contributed 15 cents of land for a house project. Mr Lawrence Cutinha, engineer, also participated in the event and called for community support for the initiative.
Adding joy to the celebration, games were organized for the attendees and prizes were distributed. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Gratian Lobo, while Mrs Shiney Monteiro skillfully compered the programme. Refreshments were served, and the gathering ended on a note of fellowship and gratitude.
To conclude the day’s celebrations, the SVP members united in singing the hymn of their patron saint. In a final act of charity, they visited Prashanth Nivas, Jeppu Ashram, distributing groceries and food items, reaffirming their mission of love and service.
Report by: Meena Serrao Barboza
