Udupi: Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh holds Annual General Meeting and Get-together

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 12 Jun 2016: Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh held its Annual General Meeting and get-together of nearly 700 members and office bearers at St. Mary’s English Medium School, Kannarpady, Udupi on Sunday, 12 June 2016 from 9 am to 2.30 pm. The programme was organized in association with the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Varado.

 

Prior to the meeting and get-together, Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh offered holy mass at 9 am followed by registration and breakfast.

 

The stage programme commenced at 10.30 am presided over by  William Machado of Shirva, President of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh. Other dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Fred Mascarenhas-Dean of Udupi Varado, Ronald Sabi D’Souza, Mrs. Veronica Cornelio, Dr. Thomas Quadros, Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves and office bearers of Central Committee and Varado level committees.

 

Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes formally inaugurated the Annual General Meeting and Get-together by lighting the lamp.

 

In his inaugural address, on behalf of the Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Msgr. Baptist Menezes conveyed greetings to all the office bearers and members of the Catholic Sabha and wished them well. He appreciated the good work that the Catholic Sabha has been doing in the diocese of Udupi. He further said that the Word of God should be the yardstick for the organization and its aims and objectives should be based on the Word of God.

 

The formal Annual General Meeting was conducted by the President William Machado.  General Secretary, Mrs. Alice Rodrigues of Shankerpura read the notice of the General Meeting,  Joint Secretary, Mrs. Precilla Alva of Kalmady   presented the report of the Annual General Meeting for the year 2014-15 and Treasurer Alwyn Quadros of Kota placed before the members  the balance sheet for the year 2015-16. Henry Menezes, President of Manasa Pamboor read the report of the activities of the institution. Walter Cyril Pinto presented a brief report of ‘Sashakth Samuday Seva Trust’.  Mrs. Alice Rodrigues announced the list of the Central Executive Committee and Office bearers of the Central Committee.

 

Fr. Fred Mascarenhas released  the Directory of Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh. In his message he expressed happiness that the Catholic Sabha chose St. Mary’s English Medium School premises to hold the meeting and get-together and wished well to the Catholic Sabha.

 

Dr. Thomas Quadros-former President of Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh and  one of the chief speakers of the day  narrated the circumstances that led to the foundation of the Catholic Sabha in Mangalore Diocese on 21 April 1979 and elaborated on the theme of the meeting “Catholic Sabha Our Heritage”.  He said that the Catholic Sabha is the strength and future of the Catholic community.  The Catholic Community has been facing a number of challenges and the Catholic Sabha has come to their rescue which fosters unity and strength among the members of the community. He pointed out that other communities have built their own organizations based on caste, language and religion and have made great progress in political, economic, social and cultural spheres.  Catholic Sabha, since its inception has grown in membership number and strength and has been providing a number of services to Catholic Community through health cards, helping to avail government facilities and funds as well as scholarships to thousands of students. In modern times there are various forces which are inimical to Christians, hence it is important that the Catholic Sabha has to be strengthened to provide security and protection to Christian communities. Dr. Thomas Quadros emphasized the slogan that Catholic Sabha is our heritage and it is our mother.

 

 

The achievers in political field were next felicitated by Ronald Sabi D’Souza. These included: Wilson Rodrigues of Shirva who was elected as member of Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Michael Ramesh D’Souza of Mudarngadi who was elected as member of Udupi Taluk Panchayat, Melwyn D’Souza of Shirva, elected as member of Shirva Grama Panchayat, Mrs. Renita Prima D’Souza of Moodubelle-elected as member of Belle Grama Panchayat and   Mrs. Violet Baretto of Koteshwar-elected as member of Udupi Taluk Panchayat.

 

Following his introduction by Mrs. Mary D’Souza of Udyavar, Ronald Sabi D’Souza of Moodubelle and a successful  businessman in Dubai said that Catholic Sabha has provided an important platform to bring forth leadership qualities among many Catholic members. In his own inimitable witty style, Ronald compared the children on olden days and modern times giving anecdotes from his own child and adulthood.  Stressing on the relationship between the clergy and laity, Ronald said that both are not separate units but a united force. He further said that the Bishop of Udupi has a wider vision for the laity as he has involved lay people in four out of 18 Commissions of the Diocese. The new diocese has provided a vast new canvas on which the Catholic Sabha can draw the painting as it wishes, meaning thereby, that the Catholic Sabha has huge opportunities to chart its own course in the interest of the Catholic Community. Ronald pointed out the importance of Christian values and prayers in laying a strong foundation for united Christian families and keeping the youth on the right path. He further said that all those youth who attain 18 years of age should join Catholic Sabha and work for the upliftment of the community.

 

This year’s Francis Danti Memorial Literary Honour was conferred on Fr. Richard Menezes(OCD) from Bangalore by Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves. Louis D’Almeida of Manipal introduced Fr. Richard menezes.

 

Mrs. Veronica Cornelio, President of Karnataka State Soap and Detergents Limited honoured three achievers in different  fields such as sports, culture and social work. These included: Glevan D’Souza from Padukone, Royston Vijay Castelino from Nakre and Diana Rodrigues from Thottam.

 

In her message, Mrs. Veronica Cornelio said that she has been proud to be member of the Catholic Sabha which has grown in numbers and strength to such an extent that other communities have started recognizing Christians through the Catholic Sabha. Along with spreading political awareness among the Catholics, the organization has been undertaking a lot of social work. It is through Catholic Sabha that a number of government facilities have been provided to the needy in terms of funds and scholarships to students. Health Card scheme has been one of the most important services of the Catholic Sabha tha has come to the rescue of many needy and poor Catholic patients. She said that no poor family should be deprived  of the Health card due to lack of money which could be borne by Catholic Sabha.

 

Dr. Gerald Pinto (Gerry Niddodi), the past president of Catholic Sabha who was appointed as the Principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur recently was felicitated by Ronald Sabi D’Souza by offering him a bouquet of flowers.

 

Varados, units and individuals were felicitated for selling maximum number of donation coupons, best active varado and unit and those who had actively worked for the promotion of “Amcho Sandesh”, the monthly magazine of Catholic Sabha.

 

Immediate past president-Elroy Kiran Crasto, Spiritual Director-Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Present president-William Machado and President elect Valerian Fernandes of Mount Rosary Kallianpur expressed their feelings.

 

Charles Quadros of Moodubelle and President of Udupi Varado Catholic Sabha welcomed the guests, Mrs. Geneviev D’Souza of Petri and Steven Prakash Lewis of Brahmavar anchored the programme and Mrs. Jacinta Colaco proposed  the vote of thanks.