“Stree Sanghattan of Udupi Diocese is a Model to other Dioceses of India”-Bishop Gerald Lobo

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 13 May 2022: “I am very proud of the Stree Sanghattan of the Udupi Diocese. Through its organization and activities, the Stree sanghattan of the Udupi Diocese has become a model to other Dioceses not only in Karnataka, but throughout India”, said Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Udupi Diocese while delivering his presidential address at the General Body Meeting of the Sugamya Zilla Mahila Okkuta, Udupi District at the Mother of Sorrows Church auditorium on Friday, 13 May 2022.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo further said that he expected the membership of the Stree Sanghattan of the Udupi District to reach 10,000 as they are only short of around 2,000 members. Giving reason for the need to increase the membership, the Bishop said that in the society and Government agencies, the number is important as greater the number greater government facilities can be achieved. He made an appeal to the Stree Sanghattan to reduce as far as possible the expenses of organizing certain events. Giving an example, he said that the celebrations like the Women’s Day can be observed in one year at the parish level, in the next year at the Deanery level and in the third year at the diocesan level and thus reduce the expenses.

 

The Bishop expressed his long standing desire of the women starting their own banking system. He said that as the Udupi Diocese completes ten years of its formation, this year at least by the end of December 2022, the women of the diocese should be able to start their own cooperative bank under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto.

 

 

The General Body Meeting of the Sugamya Zilla Mahila Okkuta commenced at 10.30 am presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included: Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto-Director of Sampada and Spiritual Director of the Stree Sanghattan of the Udupi Diocese, Mrs. Anita Dias-President of the Sugamya Zilla Mahila Okkuta, Mrs. Cynthia D’Silva-Secretary and other office bearers of the Stree Sanghattan including presidents of the five Deanery level Stree Sanghattans.

 

The programme commenced with a welcome dance and a brief prayer service conducted by the women of the Karkala Deanery. President Mrs. Anita Dias welcomed the gathering. Mrs. Pricilla Alva-the immediate past Secretary read the report of the activities of the Sugamya Zilla Mahila Okkuta for the years 2019-21. Mrs. Flavia D’Souza-immediate past Treasurer presented the accounts for the years 2019-21.

 

On this occasion, 18 members of the Stree Sanghattan of the Udupi Diocese belonging to 5 Deaneries were felicitated by the Bishop for their extraordinary achievements in different fields. Two from Udupi Deanery: Mrs. Dencil D’Souza and Mrs. Rosy Almedia; six from the karkalla Deanery: Mrs. Reena Castelino, Mrs. Genevieve Kavita D’Silva, Mrs. Janet Martis, Mrs. Shanthi Almedia, Mrs. Benedicta Mathais, and Mrs. Celestine D’Souza. Three from the Kundapura Deanery: Mrs. Judith Mendonca, Mrs. Cynthia  Bhotello and Mrs. Celine Elvira Coelho. Four from the Shirva Deanery: Mrs. Christine D’Souza, Mrs. Eliza D’Mello, Mrs. Gretta Sequeira and Mrs. Treeza Cardoza. Three from the Kallianpur Deanery: Mrs. Rosline Crasta, Mrs. Meena Pinto and Mrs. Sujatha Andrade.

 

Following the address by Bishop Gerld Isaac Lobo, Mrs. Cynthia D’Silva-Secretary of the Sugamya Zilla Mahila Okkuta proposed the vote of thanks.

 

The entire programme was compered by Mrs. Priya Furtado.

 

Following the stage prograamme, Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto explained the proposed Constitution of the Stree Sanghattan at the Udupi Diocese level in line with the Constitution of All India Level Stree Sanghattan. Thereafter, he also took up the issue of the proposed bank of the women and its requirements and structure.