Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jun 12: Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh held its annual general meeting on Sunday, June 11.

Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general let the traditional lamp and inaugurated the programme. Speaking on the occasion he said, "The work of Catholic Sabha is appreciable. It is working for the betterment of Catholics and giving good service. God himself will be impressed by their work. We need to bridge the gap between the rich and poor. We should join hands for the betterment of the society and this work is being successfully done by Catholic Sabha."

J R Lobo, ML, Mangaluru South, released the directory of Catholic Sabha for the year 2017-18 and said, "Christian parents should encourage their children to take up civil service examinations to join government service. Today Catholics have their identity in each and every sphere of the society. Catholic Sabha has worked hard for this. Civil service training professional academy should be established by Udupi and Mangaluru diocese."

Veronica Cornelio, former president, Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited, appreciated the work of Catholic Sabha and said that it has changed the structure of the society. She said that the catholic community should be united to strengthen Catholic Sabha. She also advised all to take the advantages of the facilities available for minority community from the government.

Lecturer Steevan Quadros Permude was felicitated and conferred Late Francis Danti Memorial Literature Award for his noteworthy contribution to Kannada literature. In response to the felicitation he said, "The cash I received along with this award will be used to help poor through my trust.  Catholic youth should show interest in joining civil service. We are spending lot of money on wasteful expenditure which should be stopped and that money should be utilized for good purpose. Children should practice to speak in Konkani and we should feel proud to speak in our mother tongue."

Winners of late Denis D’Silva memorial award for article competition were also felicitated on the occasion.

Prashant Jattanna, Minority Commission; Melwin D’Souza, president, Kapu Youth Congress; Cristan D’Almeida, president, Udupi District Students Congress and Robert Menezes, Minority Department Udupi were felicitated on the occasion.

General secretary Jacintha Colaco presented the report of 2016-17 and the report was approved by the session. Audit report of the 2016-17 was presented by treasurer Solomon Alvares.

Mary D’Souza, president, Udupi deanery welcomed the gathering. Mable D’Souza and Claivan D’Souza compered the programme. Wlliam Machado, Jacintha Colaco, Mary D’Souza, Soloman Alvares, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr Valerian Mendonca and Walter Pinto were present.