Hearty congratulations and prayerful good wishes to the Salmiya Parish and all its benefactors, well wishers and supporters on achieving yet another milestone in their historical timeline.

It was on the 3rd of November, 1959, that the first weekly Holy Mass was celebrated in Salmiya by Monsignor Teofano Ubaldo Stella at the suggestion of Mr. Archie Menezes (retired, residing in Goa). The number of faithful at that time was around 40. Thereafter, till premises could be secured for a chapel, the faithful regularly congregated for Mass at Archie and Lida Menezes' residence in Salmiya.

From the humble beginnings of celebrating Mass in a family residence - to temporary facilities for a chapel - now, fifty years later, the Salmiya Catholic community is a formally erected parish that worships in a church dedicated to St. Thérèse and has grown to a strength of more than a thousand families from Salmiya and the neighbouring areas.

On 3rd November 2009, the Salmiya Parish commemorated that eventful moment: the first Mass in Salmiya and the birth of a praying community that would eventually become an ever-growing vibrant congregation of Catholics - a parish community!

To celebrate the occasion, the festive concelebrated Mass on the Golden Jubilee day was presided by His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj. Present at the Eucharistic celebration were Fr. Michael Fernandes - Salesian Provincial and 12 priests from the Vicariate of Kuwait. Mr. Archie Menezes (who had come from Goa) and the Apostolic Carmel Sisters of Kuwait were part of the congregation.

The Jubilee cake was cut after the Mass. His Lordship Bishop Camillo felicitated Mr. Archie Menezes and presented him with a certificate of appreciation from HH Pope Benedict XVI. Mr. Menezes, in his turn, thanked the Bishop, clergy and parishioners for their invitation, good wishes and kind sentiments. He spoke emotionally as he recalled the pioneer days of Christian life in Salmiya.

In continuation of the Golden Jubilee celebration, on 6th November 2009, there was a cultural programme at the IEAS Auditorium in the evening. The event began with a welcome speech by the parish priest - Fr. Tony D’Souza. His Lordship Bishop Camillo released the Golden Jubilee Souvenir to mark the historic occasion.

The comperes for the evening were Lloyd & Marcia. Short speeches centering on the Golden Jubilee celebration were given by the bishop and Mr. Menezes.

The parish ministries presented various items. The Jubilee Anthem was rendered by a multilingual choir. The CFC presented "We are the world", there was a fusion dance by the Tamilian community, instrumental music by Rhythm X and songs by the Filipino community. Other concert items included a dance by the Legion of Mary, a skit: "One Body in Christ" by the Summer club, an arabic dance by the Salesian Cooperators, a masked dance by the GLC, "Ave Maria" by SPY, a dance performance by the Malayalee community and the Jubilee Song composed and performed by the Konkani-speaking community. At the end of celebration, the vote of thanks was given by Fr. Joy & Ms. Larissa Gomes.