By C V Joseph
Bengaluru, Oct. 25, 2021: The women of a Catholic parish in Bengaluru have felicitated their parish priest for being the “front line hero” during the pandemic period.
Salesian Father Aloysius Santiago, rector and parish priest of Don Bosco Shrine in Lingarajpuram was honored October 24 at a function in the parish church.
The parish council and pious associations in the parish under the guidance of the Women’s Commission organized the program in the presence of parishioners and special invitees.
Monsignor C. Francis, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, the chief guest, said Father Santiago has left an indelible mark on the church through his works of mercy, providing relief materials to people across the state.
The archdiocese is proud to have such a priest who has risked his life to look after the suffering and needy neighbors, the vicar general added.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore in his message lauded Father Santiago for going out of his way to help the poor. “He has special concern for the differently abled persons,” the prelate added.
Archbishop Machado, in a video message, commended the parishioners for honoring their pastor.
The priest had recently launched women’s collective to help women empowerment.
Archbishop Machado said the priest has not only attended to the spiritual and liturgical things in the parish but involved in the affairs of people especially the poor.
Father Santiago is associated with many secular associations such as Lion’s Club and Rotary Club to help the slum dwellers.
The archbishop, who also heads the Christian community in Karnataka, expressed happiness over the women’s collective, which have become “very active.:
He expressed the hope tht all women in the parish would become a strong force in supporting the Church, society and the poor.