Mangaluru: The Bible classes for the faithful of the Diocese of Mangalore on the in-depth study of the ‘Gospel of Luke’ were inaugurated at Mangalore at Sandesha on Nov 12, whereas classes on the ‘Gospel of Matthew’ were inaugurated at Mai de Deus Church, Puttur, for the faithful of the Puttur Deanery on Nov. 13. Seventy participants will pursue the course in Sandesha, and 83 will study the Gospel in Puttur. Biblical Commission for the Diocese of Mangalore, in association with the Ephphatha Biblical Centre-Mangala Jyothi (DBCLC), has organised these courses in Mangalore, Sandesha; and the Biblical Commissions of the Puttur deanery parishes in association with the diocesan Biblical Commission have organised the course at Puttur Church. This course at both places will be held on five weekends until Dec. 10.
Rev. Fr Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore, inaugurated the course at Sandesha by lighting the lamp along with the Rev Dr Sudeep Paul, the Director of Sandesha, Rev Fr Vijay Machado, the Director of Mangala Jyothi and Rev Dr Vincent Sequeira, the secretary of the Biblical Commission, course convener and resource person, and the student representatives Sr Lidwin and Denzil Rego. The Vicar general unveiled a scroll displaying the Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus and stressed how the Gospel of Luke helps us to know the good news brought by Jesus to the poor. He also invited to take Mary, who pondered the word in her heart, as our model in studying the word of God. On this occasion, a beautiful prayer dance depicting the Magnificat of Mother Mary was performed by Anusha Pinto and Rishal DSouza.
At Puttur, V. Rev Fr. Lawrence Mascarenhas, the Vicar Vara of Puttur deanery, inaugurated the Bible Class by lighting the lamp along with Fr Kevin D’Souza, Fabian Goveas, John D’Souza and Cyril D’Souza, Sr Lucina D’Souza and resource person Rev Dr Vincent Sequeira. Vicar Vara, V. Rev Fr Lawrence emphasised the need for the deeper study of the word of God. He opined that studying the Gospel of Matthew would be a fitting preparation for Christmas and lauded the parish priests and people of the deanery for being the first to have this course organised outside Mangalore.
In June-July, 2022 Biblical Commission for the Diocese of Mangalore, in association with the Ephphatha Biblical Centre-Mangala Jyothi (DBCLC), organised the course at Pastoral centre-Bajjodi. The secretary of the Biblical Commission for the Diocese of Mangalore indicated that such biblical courses are not a one-time venture but will be held constantly in Mangalore and at various deaneries of the Diocese in the coming days.
