Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 29: Catholic Sabha, started in Moodbidri deanery in 1992-93, celebrated its silver jubilee of installation in a grand manner at Alangar church grounds in Moodbidri near here on Sunday January 28. 'Catholic Samajotsav', a mega convention of all Catholic people, displaying the unity and strength of the community was the highlight of the celebration.
The celebrations began by welcoming the bishop of Mangaluru and other guests at 3.45 pm near the main entrance.
Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul DSouza presided over the programme. Many leaders who have given able leadership to the community in various capacities were present. The prominent guests were community NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco, Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh spiritual director Fr Mathew Vas, Moodbidri deanery dean Fr Paul Sequeira, MLC and chief whip of state Legislative Council Ivan D'Souza, MLA J R Lobo, former minister and MLA K Abhaychanadra Jain, zilla panchayat member Sucharitha Shetty, Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh president Anil Lobo and Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh president Valerian Fernandes.
The programme was inaugurated in a grand manner with the bishop lighting the lamp, Anil Lobo playing the traditional 'gumat' and Ronald Colaco blooming the arecanut flower ('bhingari'). Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh president Anil Lobo delivered the keynote address on vision and future of Catholic Sabha.
Four achievers from the community who showed great achievement in their respective fields were felicitated on this occasion. They included bishop Peter Sebastian Goveas of Bettiah diocese, Bihar; NRI entrepreuner Ronald Colaco; DySP-crime record bureau (CCRB) Mangaluru Valentine D'Souza and IAS officer Michelle Queenie D’Costa.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese, Aloysius Paul D'Souza asserted that for the Christian community to prosper, it needs an affective leadership that can lead from the front. "We should find god in people around us. Our community should think about increasing its presence in government jobs, and taking political leaderships. The Catholics should work hard towards implementing decisions taken for the overall progress of the community," he said.
In his main address, Anil Lobo Fermai, said, "Our nation has one of the best constitutions. Our country is secular. We should join the mainstream of the society, take interest in undertaking leaderships, and pledge ourselves to uphold values of social transformation. Catholics should also fight for their rights when their constitutional rights get compromised. In addition to achieving further progress in the sectors of politics, cooperative sector and government services, we should also throb to the needs of the people. Out of 12 legislators from undivided Dakshina Kannada district, our community gets only one. We are not getting rightful recognition, going by the fact that even in Moodbidri constituency which has maximum Christian population, Christian candidates are not getting a chance."
Ronald Colaco, speaking after accepting the felicitation, noted that in spite of being in minority, Christian community has done maximum work in the sector of service. He regretted the fact that the community has not got the importance and recognition it rightly deserves from political parties and government, adding that united fight can only be able to help the community to achieve the recognition it deserves. "Abhayachandra Jain had said that he will not fight assembly election again. He also had promised to support the candidature of Ivan D'Souza representing Christian community in recongition of the fact that Christian community had supported him to the maximum. I do not know why he has changed his stance now and backing away from fulfilling his promise," he wondered.
Catholic Sabha Moodbidri deanery's past spiritual directors and presidents who gave able leadership to the organisation in the past 25 years were honoured during this occasion. Parish unit presidents who tirelessly worked for the success of this big programme were honoured with mementos.
Social and political resolutions for the welfare of the community were presented by silver jubilee committee convener Gerald D'Costa Siddakatte which were unanimously accepted by the community.
Two community associations - Entrepreneurs' Association and Agricuturists' Association were flagged off during this occasion by MLC Ivan DSouza.
Catholic Sabha Moodbidri Deanery president Harry Rego welcomed the gathering. Deanery Secretary Lloyd Rego presented past 25 years report. Manohar Cutinha Hosabettu delivered vote of thanks. Catholic Sabha past preisdent Andrew DSouza Palakda beautifully compered the programme along with Clotilda Miranda Paladka.
Food was arranged for all at the end of the programme. In all, it turned out to be an historical Catholic Convention, the sweet memories of which will be cherished forever.
More than 5,000 people participated in the program.