Sacred Heart Church in Tiptur gets first Priest in 68 years

Tiptur, Jan 01: Salesian Deacon William D’Souza was all smiles on 31^st December 10 am at the 68-year old Sacred Heart Church in Tiptur. As he walked the aisle to be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras. Dn. William became the first priest from the parish since its erection.

Speaking about the sacredness of a Priest’s hands the Prelate said “A priest’s hands are anointed to bring healing to people and healing is a powerful ministry of every priest”. The Archbishop related a story of a little boy who asked his father why the priests’ hands are anointed with sacred oil during an ordination service. The father mentioned that it is the hands of a priest that bring healing to people who are sick. When the boy fell ill and was to be taken to the doctor, the boy told his father, that he would prefer to go to a priest and be healed rather than a doctor. The Prelate also emphasized “faithfulness to the priestly ministry and being available to the people of God for their spiritual needs”.

Salesian Provincial Fr. Mathew Thonikuzhil and conferes of the congregation along with Parish Priest Fr. Livin (Sacred Heart church Tiptur) and Parish Priest of St. Ritas’ Church Tumakuru Fr. Z.Pradeep con-celebrated with the Archbishop.