The Parishioners of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, organized a heartfelt farewell programme to honour Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr William D’Souza on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

The 7:00 a.m. Holy Mass was solemnly celebrated by Rev. Fr William D’Souza as the main celebrant, with Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, and Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium School, as concelebrants.

Following the Mass, a formal farewell ceremony was held in the presence of parishioners and members of the Parish Pastoral Council. The gathering expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for Fr William’s dedicated and selfless service to the Parish community.

Rev. Fr William D’Souza will take up his new assignment as Assistant Administrator at Fr Muller Hospital, Kankanady, on May 21, 2025.

Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School, welcomed the gathering. On behalf of the Parishioners, Mr Santhosh Misquith, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, read the Maan Patra (citation), expressing heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated service rendered by Rev. Fr William D’Souza during his one-year tenure at the parish.

Rev. Fr William D’Souza was accorded a warm farewell and honoured with various tokens of appreciation. Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza presented him with a shawl, Mr. Santhosh Misquith read the Maan Patra (citation), and Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves offered a garland. The Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council presented a bouquet of flowers, while Mrs Mary Miranda, Head of the Centenary Editorial Board, gifted a memento. Mr Prakash Pinto, Convener of the St Lawrence Shrine, presented a gift along with best wishes.

Dignitaries present on the dais included Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Mr John D’Silva- Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr Santhosh Misquith- Secretary, Mrs Mary Miranda, and Mr Prakash Pinto.

Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza expressed deep gratitude for the strong bond and dedication shared with Rev. Fr William D’Souza. He praised Fr William as an affectionate, capable Priest whose commitment earned him a well-deserved promotion within a year. Highlighting his key role in the centenary celebrations, church renovation, and souvenir publication, Fr Andrew acknowledged Fr William’s selfless ministry and unwavering dedication to the parish community. Quoting Gospel of John 13:35, Fr Andrew concluded, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” reminding all of the enduring spirit of love that Fr William embodied in his service

The Principal, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr William D’Souza for his devoted service to Bondel Parish. In his message, he appreciated Fr. William’s valuable contributions and extended his best wishes for success and prosperity in all his future endeavours.

During the occasion, Rev. Fr William D’Souza expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, the Parish Priest, and Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, the Principal, for their companionship and support. He especially thanked Rev. Fr Andrew for giving him the opportunity and the freedom to learn and serve meaningfully during his time at Bondel.

As he concluded his message, Fr William expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone, assuring them that he would carry each Parishioners in his prayers. Despite the emotions of the moment, he remained poised and composed, and gently requested the faithful to continue remembering him in their prayers.

Coordinators from all Parish associations and Conveners of various Parish Commissions came forward to bid farewell to Fr William, each offering a flower as a symbol of their gratitude and appreciation for his dedicated service and leadership.

It was a moving sight as the Parishioners came together to extend their heartfelt wishes to Rev. Fr William. Their united presence and warm sentiments reflected the profound impact he had made on their lives and the strong sense of community within the Parish.

Photography : Anson Rego

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza