60th Birthday Celebration of Mar Thomas Elavanal, Bishop of Kalyan
The 60th Birthday celebration of Mar Thomas Elavanal, the bishop of Kalyan, was held at Little Flower church, Nerul on 17th April 2010. The Programme began with a warm reception accorded to the Bishop from Palm Beach Road from the second entrance to Nerul sector 20. It was followed by Thanksgiving Holy Mass at 3.00pm. During the Holy Mass, the bishop administered vestition, minor order and diaconate to the seminarians who are studying to become priests for the diocese of Kalyan.
The dignitaries were given a warm welcome and the public meeting began at 6.30 pm. with a Prayer Dance by the Navi Mumbai Team. Rev. Dr. Francis Eluvathingal, Chancellor of the diocese, welcomed all to the felicitation meeting.
The Public meeting was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the President His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Archbishop of Bombay); Mar Thomas Elavanal, the bishop of Kalyan, Shri Ganeshji Naik (Excise Minister, MS); V. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Porathur (Vicar General, Diocese of Kalyan) and Dr. Abraham Mathai.
The following dignitaries spoke felicitating the bishop such as His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Archbishop of Bombay); Shri Ganeshji Naik (Excise Minister, MS); Mar Geevarghese Coorilose (Metropolitan, Orthodox Syrian Church) and V. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Porathur (Vicar General, Diocese of Kalyan). Mr. Abraham Mathai (Vice-Chairman, Minority Commission); Mrs. Annie Shekhar (MLA, MS); Mr. Nakul Patil (CIDCO, Chairman); Mr. Johny Joseph IAS (Upa-Lokayukta); Mrs. Thanksy F. Thekkekara IAS (Principal Secretary, Ministry of Minorities); Dr. K.K. Damodaran (President, SNMS); Rev. Sr. Rani Paul (CRI Rep.)
The other dignitaries on the dias were Rev. Dr. Zacharias Elavanal, Mrs. Grace Pinto (Managing Director, Ryan International Group of Institutions); Mr. Thomas Mathew (Managing Director, LIC of India); Mr. P.M. Mathew (Commissioner Provident Fund, Maharashtra); Mrs. Alice Johnson (Municipal Corporator); Mr. Sabu Daniel (Municipal Corporator); Mr. Sunny Thomas (Secretary, MPMC); Mr. Vinod Shekhar (Municipal Councillor); Mr. Sasi Damodharan (Ex-NMMT Chairman); Mr. P.J. Mathew (KCA, President); Mr. Babu J. Panikulam (General Manager, South Indian Bank Ltd.); Rev. Sr. Rani Paul SABS (Vice-President, CRI); Mrs. Rosily Thomas (Pastoral council secretary); Mr. K.P. Francis, (General Convener, Celebration Committee) Mr. Sebastian Edassery (KLM, President); Mr. Jose Joseph, Pithruvedi President; Mrs. Vimala Xavier, Mathrusangam President; Ms. Rose Ukkan, Kalyan Eparchy Youth, DExCo.
During the meeting the diocesan renewed web-site was launched by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias assisted by Mr. Dominic Chittilapulli.
Shri Ganeshji Naik (Excise Minister) inaugurated the Diocesan Software programme assisted by Dr. Prakash Nelappana.
The diocesan directory was released by Mr. P.M. Mathew (Commissioner Provident Fund, Maharashtra) giving the first copy to Rev. Dr. Zaharias Elavanal (MCBS, Ex-Provincial) The youth magazine Vision Vibes was released by Mar Thomas Elavanal giving the first copy to Mr. Ganeshji Naik. A poor lady from Dombivli was given a key of the house by Mr. Thomas Mathew (Managing Director, LIC of India).
Pastoral council secretary Mrs. Rosily Thomas proposed the vote of Thanks. The meeting was concluded with the National Anthem and it was followed by Fellowship meal.
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Official Inauguration of the Year of Priests, Religious and Vocation held on 9th January 2010 at St. Thomas church, Borivli in the presence of majority of our priests, religous, seminarians, pastoral council members, trustees, diocesean executives of our various associations, departments and movements and the parishioners of Borvili and other parishes of the diocese of Kalyan.
