By Benedict Noronha
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi
Udupi, Oct 26: Dalantre Souzas’ Charitable Trust, a novel project for the upliftment of the poor, neglected and suffering, celebrated its first anniversary recently. The trust is situated at Dalantre –Ellur village.
Putting together the spirit of brotherhood and family unity, Cyprian Santha D’souza of Niuji, Santhur village of Pilar panchayat started this trust. After his retirement from active service, he ventured into social activities taking forward the rich legacy of his ancestors.
The ancestors of Souza’s, Pedru D’Souza of Dalantre had donated his property to start a school at Mudarangadi, called St Francis Xavier School for the poor children of the locality. Later, by the side of the school, a beautiful church dedicated to St Francis Xavier was constructed. Now the parish is led by the parish priest Francis Xavier (Lewis).
The trust was formed in 2016 and was registered as charitable trust with avowed objectives.
The trust has a religious touch and the anniversary function began with a thanksgiving holy mass presided by Fr Walter D’Mello, (Judicial Vicar of Udupi- Mangaluru diocese) and concelebrated by three other priests. All the three priests are of the Dalantre Souzas’ family progeny.
In the presence of the senior members of the collective, Benedict Noronha, senior advocate and a family member, requested the guests to introduce themselves in relation to the five families of the collective who had contributed land to establish the five churches as displayed on the banner put on the dais.
After the self introduction, breakfast was served. Fr Denis D’Souza welcomed the gathering and thereafter prayer was conducted, led by the family members of Valerian D’Souza.
Several priests and nuns from this family were present for the programme. This family links at various places have been responsible to establish prayer houses (churches) namely at Kenha- Mudarangadi (1942), Church of our Lady of Perfetual Succour- Kalathur (Shirva) (1956); Holy Cross Church, Pambur (1968) , St Don Bosco Church Kelmbet (Bola-1964), and Our Lady of Fatima Church at Mundkur (1998).
The annual celebrations recollected various services rendered by the Dalantre Souzas family collective to the church.
In its one year of existence, the trust has been instrumental in helping students for vocational as well as professional education. The governing committee of trust includes president Jeffrey D’Souza, vice president, Pangala, Blanny Fernandes, secretary Jeevan William D’souza, joint secretary Joy Fernandes, Valerian D’souza and Christian D’souza as joint treasurers. Paul D’Souza, Mundkur, Justine Nora D’Souza, Udupi, Seema Saldanha, Udupi are the members. James Barboza is special invitee and Benedict Noronha advocate is the legal counsellor for the trust.
The following persons are founder members of the trust- Ignatius D’Souza, Mudarangady, Valerian D’Souza, Dalantre, Philip D’Mello, Kinnigoli, Faustine D’Mello, Belman, Marceline Martis, Margao, Goa, Santan Martis, Kuthyar, Aquine D’Souza, Dalantre, Jacintha D’Souza, Shirva, Nancy Machado, Shirva, Lydia Fernandes, Moodubelle, Anitha Sequeira, Kalathur and Lucy Tauro, Kalathur.
Jeffrey D’Souza chaired the meeting where in all three priests were present and honoured along with other important persons who rendered yeoman service to the community in various walks of life.
Secretary Jeevan William D’souza presented a brief report of one year old trust and vice president Blanny Fernandes proposed vote of thanks. James Barboza compered.