Mangalore Konkans Dubai – Witnessing Missionary Work in Gulbarga Diocese

By Aboline D’Cunha
Bellevision Media Network

Gulbarga: On September 27, 2024, Mr. James Mendonca, President of Mangalore Konkans Dubai, along with Ronald & Regina Sequeira, Rony & Aboline DCunha and Joyce Menezes visited the Gulbarga Diocese to witness the committed work of the missionaries and to meet the zealous local community people in Bidar and Gulbarga who aspire to spread the message of love, hope, and peace.

 

During the visit, they attended the blessing and inaugural of the new Holy Spirit Chapel in Hosalli and participated in a Holy Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Mudhol-Santpur, both supported by Mangalore Konkans Dubai.  The group was guided by Most Rev. Robert Michael Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga Diocese, a great visionary rendering selfless service to this Mission.  They toured various mission centers, including Bhalki, Jalasangi, Santhpur, Bidar, Kaudiyal & Hamnabad. It was impressive to see Children in some of the boarding schools being encouraged to speak in English and trained in communication skills and also provided with facilities to prepare for civil service exams.

 

At Kristhashram in Kaudiyal Mission, they saw the centre that has become the power house of Gulbarga Diocese, drawing various people to gain strength through prayer, inner healing & counseling. The Sathyanubhava Center in Basavakalyan focuses on inter-religious dialogue and unity among different faiths.

 

They also visited the Arogya Mata Seva Kendra in Bhalki, which has been providing healing and education since 1985. Over 1,500 leprosy patients were treated, cured and provided rehabilitation and occupation. 

 

ORBIT in Humnabad works on women’s development and rehabilitation for those with mental health challenges, offering support and livestock to help them become independent.

 

At Mother Teresa Charitable Hospital in Kalaburagi, basic medical care, including cataract surgeries, are provided to marginalized individuals.

All these experiences highlighted the extensive work being done in the Gulbarga Diocese. The missionary work initiated by Late Bishop Basil D’Souza in 1982 was subsequently continued by Bishop Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, until June 2005 when Bishop Most Rev. Robert Michael Miranda took over the task and responsibility. The hard work and dedicated efforts of these Bishops and their team of committed priests and the religious to improve socio economic conditions of the marginalized people, imparting them good education irrespective of caste, creed or religion is truly commendable.

 

Despite limited resources, the Gulbarga Diocese devoutly continues to uplift lives of people in these regions. Every Christian is called to be a Missionary.  It would be great for retirees with a passion for social service to consider serving in these Missionary centers and those who wish to be partners in this Gulbarga Mission are most welcome to extend their possible support.

 

About Mangalore Konkans Dubai

Established in 1988 with the basic objective of promoting Konkani language and culture among the Mangalorean diaspora in the UAE.  It also intended to extend financial support to the Mangalorean Community in Dubai and in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.   Without diluting the original objectives, even with the passage of time, the organization pursued / followed its goal solemnly to emerge as a major force to reckon within the UAE.  Over the years, with an array of activities aimed at the general welfare of Mangaloreans, Mangalore Konkans Dubai has played an essential role in keeping the pennant of Konkani language and Mangalorean culture flying high in the desert land. Credit goes to Mangalore Konkans Dubai for being the first association of Mangaloreans in the UAE in 1988, at the time when the community was scattered without a proper platform to feel the share and the flavour of Mangalorean culture. Instrumental in organizing first Konkani Way of the Cross, followed by the first nativity feast for children with showering of flowers at the grotto, first Konkani choir made its debut at St Mary’s Church, Dubai. It was due to the indefatigable efforts of Mangalore Konkans Dubai, for the first time, a Konkani speaking priest was deputed to Dubai and with that, permanent Konkani Mass was also started.