Udupi: ‘Catholic Sabah Day’ observed at Mount Rosary Church, Santekatte-Kallianpur

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/Kallianpur, 07 May 2023: Annual General Body Meeting  and ‘Catholic Sabah Day’ were observed at Mount Rosary Church, Santekatte-Kallianpur on Sunday, 7th May, 2023.

 

30th April, 2023 was exceptionally hectic with full of activities to all members of Catholic Sabah in the Districts of DK and Udupi as it celebrated CS Day in almost all the parishes. Mount Rosary Unit too offered a thanks giving Holy Mass at 8.00 am in the Church and the celebration was scheduled on 7th May, 2023, in the adjacent Mini Hall.

 

In short, about 43 years ago on 29th April, 1979, the solid foundation was laid at Don Bosco Hall, Udupi by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Rt Rev. Dr. Basil S. DSouza during the august presence of about 180 representatives coming from almost 80 plus parishes of the time and Mr Oscar Fernandes then sitting MP of Udupi Lok Sabah, as its founder President, Prof Alban Rodrigues as Secretary.

 

Since then no looking back and in Udupi simultaneously with the birth of the new Diocese, in 2013, a regional level Catholic Sabah was constituted in line with the original one. It is a federation of members enrolled at the Parish level units governed by an democratically elected office bearers and these office bearers forming Deanery level organizations and again the leaders elected over here from five varado’s forming the Diocesan or Regional set up with the governing body chosen to lead the platform in the light of well written guiding principles of Memorandum of Association and articles. Yet again it’s a proud moment to parishioners, a fellow Rosarian in Mr Santhosh Cornelio elected as Diocesan President 2023-24.

 

In brief, Catholic Sabah Mount Rosary Church unit was established on 17th September, 1989, Victor M DSouza being its President and Rev Fr Victor Saldanha as spiritual director. Today it is CS 34th year of perennial succession in the parish leaving its permanent imprints and contribution in the social, political, cultural and religious life of the parishioners and a name of recognition in the locality.

 

Soon after the Holy Mass all members were assembled in the adjacent Mini hall for sumptuous breakfast with the Office bearers of the Parish Pastoral Council, most of the Gurkars of 20 wards, few Presidents and leaders of all pious organisations of the church, former Presidents and well wishers of the CS.

 

 

Mrs Clara Rego took charge to lead the proceedings with the prayers, readings and reflections. President Mrs Rosy Quadros  warmly welcomed the distinguished guests Mr Santhosh Carnelio, the newly elected Mrs Daisy Mendonca Co-ordinator of 20 Ayogs of the Parish Pastoral Council with others were escorted to the dais and recognised their presence with the offering of fresh roses as a mark of our respect, by Diocesan President. In his introductory remarks, Mr Carnelio recalled the past glory of Catholic Sabah in general lauded the efforts of incumbent President Mrs Rosy Quadros and her team in particular to continue to live up to the expectations of Church and Society at large.

 

Mrs Zeena DSouza Joint Secretary of the Unit presented the Annual Report for the period 1st April, 2022 till 31st March, 2023, highlighting various activities, programmes. Mrs Mavis Carnelio, the Treasurer tabled the financial status of the Unit, with Receipts and Payments Account for the previous year ended on 31-03-23 & the financial allocation / The Budget for forthcoming year 2023-24, were presented by President Designate Mr Archibald Furtado.

 

All Gurkars present were thanked for their support and co-operation in reaching the last, lost and least in the society while Mrs Cynthia DSilva invited them to receive roses from the hands of Chief Guest, as a token of our appreciation and gratefulness.

 

As a mark of respect, newly elected Diocesan President Mr Carnelio and 20 Ayog Coordinator Mrs Mendonca were felicitated with bouquet and the latter in her acknowledgement thanked everyone and assured the support and cooperation to CS which is doing a yeomen service in the Church.

 

Mr Richard DSouza took the occasion to acknowledge the cooperation of various pious organisations of the parish and their Presidents’ present, especially Mrs Anita Dias Diocesan Sthree Sangatan President and other representatives who were presented with roses in recognition of their solidarity and helpfulness in the past.

 

It is / was always remained a unique feature of Catholic Sabah Mount rosary unit that, its past Presidents and office bearers always remained united, supportive and spontaneous to all its needs and programmes monetarily and otherwise were greeted and honoured with fresh roses. Former Diocesan President Mr Valerian Fernandes shared his feelings and conveyed CS Feast Days greetings to all present.

 

Mrs Rosy Quadrus the President elected for a consecutive second term, other office bearers took charge of various responsibilities for the following year 2023–24.

 

Mr Elias DSouza the former President of the Unit proposed vote of thanks to each and everyone and solicitudes the same support to the Catholic Sabah unit in coming days. He took the occasion to remind the significance of casting votes during the forthcoming Assembly Elections scheduled on 10th May, 2023.

 

In the end it was a well organised and meaningful celebration to thank Almighty Lord, the people who supported and involved and to rededicate its services for the general welfare of the community at large consolidating various talents and resources.