Indian family of 5 commissioned to be missionaries to Malawi, southeast Africa

An Indian Catholic couple, along with their three children, has been commissioned to be missionaries to Malawi, southeast Africa.

Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) of Mangalore Diocese witnessed the commissioning of Mr Jeswin Castelino from Derebail Parish and his wife Mrs Lavisha Saldanha along with their three children, Joanna, Jordan and Leanna to go to Malawi, Southeast Africa as full-time Missionary on June 4 in Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre, Mangalore.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore celebrated the Holy Eucharist.

Jesuit Father Tom D'Souza of Gulbarga Diocese, Father Anil Roshan Lobo, Rector, Propaedeutic Seminary, Karnataka Region, Father Anil D'Souza, Director, Family Life Service Centre and spiritual director, MFC Mangalore and Father Victor D'Mello and Father Santosh Rodrigues, former spiritual directors, MFC Mangalore were co-celebrants.

In his address, Bishop 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 prelate reinforced the importance of going beyond one’s comfort zones to be a herald of the good news of Christ.

He encouraged members to fulfill their calling as individuals and as families to serve with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Father 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 2003 in response to the invitation of the Bishop of

Mangalore under the initiative of Father D’Mello, the then director of Family Life Service Centre.

Father D’Mello and couples from CFCI Mumbai were instrumental in the initial formation and growth of CFCI in Mangalore and also in the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Kanjirapally, Kerala, south India.

The commissioning ceremony also included the honoring of Mr Jeswin and Mrs Lavisha’s parents for instilling missionary zeal in their children.

The Bishop urged the community to bring forth many more missionary families to continue the work of evangelization and defending the Catholic faith, family and life across the world. – With inputs from Mangalore Diocese News