Commissioning of a family of 5 to the Southeast country of Malawi

Commissioning of a family of 5 to the Southeast country of Malawi

Missionary Families of Christ MFC) witnessed the commissioning of Jeswin and Lavisha Castelino and their 3 children, Joanna, Jordan and Leanna to the southeast African country of Malawi on Saturday 4th June 2022. 

*Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha*, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore, celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Tom D'Souza Sj, Jesuit Missionary - Gulbarga Diocese; Fr. Anil Roshan Lobo, Rector - Propaedeutic Seminary, Karnataka region; Fr. Anil D'souza, Director - Family Life Service Center and Spiritual Director - MFC Mangalore and Fr. Victor D'mello & Fr. Santosh Rodrigues, Ex Spiritual Directors - MFC Mangalore were co-celebrants.

The celebration took place at Shanti Kiran Pastoral Institute, Bajjodi after the Holy Eucharist at 11:30 am. In his address, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha reflected on the MFC theme for the year *‘Go Beyond’*. The theme is derived from the verse “_Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you_.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

The Bishop, in his message, reinforced the importance of going beyond our comfort zones to be heralds of the good news of Christ. He encouraged members to fulfil their calling as individuals and as families to serve with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Victor D'mello reflected on his journey with the community over the past 20 years and the work done to renew families in Mangalore and across the country. He appreciated the families who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to the work of the Gospel both in and outside the diocese. 

MFC, formerly known as CFC or Couples for Christ was initiated in Mangalore in the year 2003 in response to the invitation of the Bishop of Mangalore under the initiative of Fr Victor D’Mello, the then director of Family Life Service Centre. Fr Victor D’Mello along with couples from CFCI Mumbai, was instrumental for the initial formation and growth of CFCI in Mangalore and also in the Syro Malabar Diocese of Kanjirapally, Kerala.

The commissioning ceremony also honoured Jeswin and Lavisha’s parents for instilling the missionary zeal in their children. The Bishop exhorted the community to bring forth many more missionary families to continue the work of evangelization and defending Catholic faith, family and life across the world.