Our Lady of Lourdes Church celebrated Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque’s Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee at Tirthahalli 

Shivamogga, May 28, 2024: Faithful of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli celebrated their parish priest, Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque’s Silver Jubilee, on May 27th.

On May 27th, at 5 p.m., Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque celebrated the Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist together with Silver Jubilarians Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza and Rev. Fr Lancy D’Souza. The clergy of the diocese concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. The Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, was present for the occasion. He also preached a homily based on John 21:15–19. He explained in his homily how to be faithful to the call and mission given by Jesus. The role of a priest is to accompany the faithful on their spiritual journey. Today we have gathered in gratitude to thank the Lord for his marvelous blessings for the Silver Jubilarian in his priestly journey. A large number of religious sisters and faithful were present for the Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist. 

After the Mass, a felicitatory program was organised by the faithful of Tirthahalli in the hall. Rev. Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Kable, Hosanagara Taluk, led the felicitatory program. 

Together with Jubilarian Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, Jubilarian classmates Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza, and from the family, Mr. Lancy Albuquerque, brother of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, were on the Dias.

Parish Pastoral Council Secretary, Mr. Ovin D’Souza, welcomed the gathering. Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza spoke felicitatory words for Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He narrated the priestly journey and dedication of Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque. He said that his simplicity, serenity, humility, and sincerity in his personal life as well as in his mission have inspired many. His deep faith and prayer life are role models for all. He thanked his family for inculcating values and ethics in his life. He appreciated his passion for devotional music. Being a musician, Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque has traveled all around the Diocese, and he has led feast choirs in almost every parish of the Diocese. He is also editor of “Stuti (The Praise), which contains devotional hymns in the Diocese of Shimoga. 

Then Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza felicitated Fr Stephen Albuquerque and his brother, Mr Lancy Albuquerque.

On behalf of the parishioners, Parish Finance Council Secretary Mr. Anthony D’Souza read felicitatory words, and then the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, and Religious Sisters felicitated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque with a shawl, garland, and peta and presented him with a silver rosary on behalf of the parishioners. 

Parishioners also felicitated Fr Franklin D’Souza and Fr Lancy D’Souza as they celebrated their sacerdotal silver jubilee. Mr. Jayant Daniel read the felicitatory words for Fr Franklin D’Souza, and Mr. Ashish D’Souza read the felicitatory words for Fr Lancy D’Souza. Then PPC members and PFC members honoured them with a shawl, garland, peta, and a momento.

ICYM President Mr. Ashish D’Souza and members led the felicitation song for the jubilarians.

Parishioners also celebrated the Decennial Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Francis Serrao SJ by cutting cake. Mrs. Precilla Pinto, PPC member, read the felicitatory words for the bishop, and then they honoured him with a shawl, garland, and a peta.

In his message, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ congratulated Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque for his dedicated mission to the Diocese of Shimoga. He appreciated his services as Consultor, Chancellor of the Diocese, and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He said Fr Stephen Albuquerque is a role model in his priestly mission. People look for such priests in the church. He appreciated his love for the music. He thanked Fr. Stephen Albuquerque for training at least 100 people in music in the diocese. He also thanked his mother, Emiliana Albuquerque, his deceased father, Mr. Elias Albuquerque, and his siblings for giving a great gift to the Diocese of Shimoga.

He thanked parishioners for felicitating him on his decennial episcopal consecration as bishop. He asked them to pray for him too.

Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, in his address, thanked Rev. Fr Paul Crasta, Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli, for meticulously planning and organising Felicitation Program for his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee together with PPC and PFC. He thanked God for the abundance of grace that he experienced in his life. He appreciated parishioners for their love for priests and for the diocese. He thanked everyone for making his day.

Mr. Prithviraj Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Lancy D’Souza led the grace before the meals.

Rev. Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque hails from Sr. Lawrence Church, Bondel, Diocese of Mangalore. He was born on August 12, 1972. He is the fourth son of the late Mr. Elias Albuquerque and Mrs. Emiliana Albuquerque. His primary education is from St. Lawrence Higher Primary School, Bondel. High school, he completed at MGC School Bondel. His PUC was at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. 

In 1990, he joined the Diocese of Shimoga. From 1990 to 1991, he did his one-year minor seminary at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Bannimantap, Mysore. From 1991 to 1994, he studied philosophy at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. At the same time, he completed his Bachelor of Arts at Bangalore University.

From 1994 to 1994, he held his regency at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli, under the guidance of the late Fr Joe L. C. Pinto. 

From 1995 to 1998, he completed his theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru. After completing his formation at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru, he was ordained as a deacon in 1999. Then, as a deacon, he served at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Channagiri. 

He was ordained on May 19th, 1999, by Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, then Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore. 

After his ordination, he served at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, as an assistant parish priest from 1999 to 2001.

From 2001 to 2006, as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, Old Town, Bhadravati.
From 2006 to 2012, as Mission Director of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Channagiri.
From 2012 to 2018, as Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, Jogfalls.
From 2018 to 2022, as Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church, Sharavathinagar.
From 2022 to date, he is serving as parochial administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tirthahalli.
At present, he is also the Chancellor of the Diocese and Consultor.