Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 5: The Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) which was established in 1914 (104 years ago), had its annual reunion for members and well-wishers on Sunday December 2 evening at Lobo’s Riverview, Morgan’s Gate, here. It was as usual a spectacular and fun-filled function, with the overall theme of ‘Christmas’ and its messages of love, peace, giving and sharing.
The meaning and messages of Christmas were highlighted through a Power Point presentation and some spectacular dances. A group of children rendered Christmas carols and delighted the audience. There was a 16-point Christmas quiz and many games and prizes and hampers galore!
CASK has championed the promotion of blood, organ and whole body donations since the last few years. As part of this campaign, many eye donation pledges were handed over to Fr Richard Coelho, director, Fr Muller Charitable Institutions who was the chief guest at the function. In his address, Fr Richard Coelho commended the various charitable activities of CASK and thanked CASK for its collaboration with Fr Muller Medical College since 2013. He informed that Fr Muller Medical College is in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art transplantation unit to enable harvesting of organs from dead bodies (Cadaveric harvesting) and transplantation of organs like eyes, kidneys, liver and skin.
Max Rasquinha, a philanthropist from Texas, USA and Sr Jeswina AC, principal, St Agnes College were the guests of honour. Sr Jeswina started the programme with a meaningful prayer. Nayana Fernandes, young and energetic president of CASK gave the welcome address. The impactful charitable and other activities of CASK were highlighted through a power point presentation. The projects included: provision of purified drinking water facilities in schools; provision of footwear for barefoot school children; promotion of organ and whole body donations and supporting eye donation campaigns and eye camps in collaboration with Fr Muller Medical College; personality development programmes in schools and colleges - in the last seven years, CASK has trained around 3,500 students in schools/colleges in and outside Mangaluru; teacher enrichment programme started in 2018 - 65 teachers from two leading institutions in Mangaluru covered so far; home for the homeless - supported three homes; scholarships for school/college students - 50-100 per year mainly for books, transport and extra coaching; support to Asha Deepa - home for the differently abled children in Chikkmagaluru; seminars, symposiums and essay writing competitions in schools and colleges; contributions toward anti-snake-bite treatment, medical treatment etc; involvement and contributions toward various causes like suicide prevention, mental health, gender equality, human rights.
Capt Vincent Pais, vice president of CASK proposed a vote of thanks. Jake Texeira from Bengaluru ably compered the function.