Annual General Body Meeting & ‘Catholic Sabah Day’ at Mount Rosary Church on Sunday, 28 April
By P. Archibald Furtado
Pics: Praveen Cutinho
Bellevision Media Network
Kallianpur, 28 Apr 2024: Today 28th April was exceptionally occupied with full of activities to all the members of Catholic Sabha in the Districts of DK and Udupi, as it celebrated CS Day in almost all the parishes. Mount Rosary Unit Santhekatte – Kallianpur too offered a thanks giving Holy Mass at 8.00 am in the Church, led by Parish Priest Rev. Dr. Roque DSouza and the official celebration was held in the adjacent Mini Hall at 9.15 am.
Soon after the Holy Mass all members were assembled in the adjacent Mini hall for sumptuous breakfast with the few Office bearers of the Parish Pastoral Council, most of the Gurkars of 18 wards, few Presidents and leaders of all pious organisations of the church, especially former Presidents and well-wishers of the CS.
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. D’Souza 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 with the birth of the new Diocese, in 2013, a regional level Catholic Sabha was constituted in line with the original one. It is a federation of members enrolled at the Parish level units around 1116 in MRC alone, 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 and re-elected for one more term 2024-25. And Mrs Rosy Quadrus who served in Mount Rosary Unit as President for two consecutive terms 2022-24, now leads the Kallianpur Deanery being at the helm of affairs.
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 35th 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.
Mrs Margaret DSouza, Asst. Treasurer, took charge to lead the proceedings with the prayers, readings and reflections. President Mrs Rosy Quadros warmly welcomed the Parish Priest and Spiritual Director Rev Dr Roque DSouza, Chief Guest Rev Fr Denis D’Sa, a Rosarian by birth and Parish Priest of St Ann’s Church, Thottam, 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.
Secretary of previous year 2023-24 Mr George DSouza read out the crispy report of previous AGM while, Mrs Pramila D’Souza, Joint Secretary of the Unit presented the elaborate Annual Report for the period 1st April, 2023 till 31st March, 2024, highlighting various activities, programmes. Mr Tolbert D’Souza, the Treasurer tabled the financial status of the Unit, with Receipts and Payments Account for the previous year ended on 31-03-24.
Newly elected Office Bearers led by Mr Elias D’Souza, as new President, a dynamic community leader, an engineer by profession and his new team symbolically took charge from the outgoing team.
It is / was always remained a unique feature of Catholic Sabha 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 draping of traditional shawl and with fresh roses from the Chief Guest Rev Fr Denis D’Sa, as President Designate Mr Archibald Furtado gave a brief of their contribution.
‘Your role and responsibility is much bigger, in the contemporary society…. please don’t restrict yourselves to some traditional, regular or routine programmes….set new goals and challenges and lay leadership in Catholic Sabha must be visible and effective in line with Christ’s preaching’s….’ Rev. Fr Denis D’Sa the Chief Guest, stressed in his message. While congratulating the new President Mr D’Souza he insisted to Mount Rosary CS Unit to set a new trend and be an example to imitate….. ‘Excuses will always be there for you, opportunities wont…get used to being uncomfortable as its part of the journey towards greatness…’ - the speech was a real treat for listeners, which made them to carry home and introspect.
In his reply, the newly elected President thanked Fr D’Sa and declared his and his team’s tenure at the helm will herald a new era of different approach with many short and long term plans and projects focussing youngsters in CS. He also sought support for two proposed Funds – ‘Medical and Higher Education’.
All Gurkars present were thanked for their support and co-operation in reaching the last, lost and least in the society while President Designate Mr Archibald Furtado invited them to receive roses from the hands of Parish Priest who were draped with traditional shawl, as a token of our appreciation and gratefulness to implement CS programmes around year and being a useful link at the grass-root ward level.
As a mark of respect, newly elected Deanery President Mrs Rosy Quadrus felicitated with bouquet and draping of shawl and in her acknowledgement thanked everyone for their support, contribution and encouragement and assured her cooperation to new team of CS, which is expected of continuing yeomen service in the Church and society with enthusiasm and renewed spirits.
Mrs Margaret D’Souza took the occasion to acknowledge the gracious presence and cooperation of various pious organisations of the parish and their Presidents’ present, the ICYM, Sthree Sangatan, SVP, Terciaries and other representatives and were presented with roses in recognition of their solidarity and helpfulness in the past from Parish Priest and CS President.
Rev. Dr Roque D’Souza, the Vicar in his address extended compliments and best wishes to the newly elected President Mr Elias D’Souza and his team, who took charge short while ago and assured all cooperation during their tenure. While referring the Chief Guests message, Vicar endorsed his suggestions and it’s time to toe an expanded positive line of approach in the service of society at large. He thanked the retiring team for their service to the parish in general and deserving cases in particular.
Mrs Maria Wilma Rego the new General Secretary of the Unit proposed vote of thanks to each and everyone and solicitudes the same support to the Catholic Sabah unit in coming days.
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.