Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/KR)
Udupi, Jan 17: Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) will hold ‘Samudayotsav 2020', first laity conference of Diocese of Udupi on Sunday, January 19 at Mount Rosary Church Grounds, Santhekatte.
This will be the first laity conference after the formation of Udupi diocese 7 years ago.
Catholic Sabha was founded in Don Bosco Hall of Udupi Church in the late 1979. After the formation of diocese of Udupi in 2012, Catholic Sabha was bifurcated into Mangaluru and Udupi. On April 1, 2013, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) came into existence and started to serve the people of the diocese.
Even though it is bifurcated, both the Udupi and Mangaluru Catholic Sabha units are doing the same work. Elroy Kiran Crasta was elected as the first president of independent Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R).
Organising ‘Samudayotsav 2020’ was one of the main agendas of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R). This will be the first laity convention of the diocese and a platform that will unite great personalities of Christian Community across fields. “The convention aims at strengthening the Christian Community. Through this convention, we can overview the status of our community in society and this will help us to set a vision on developing our community. More than 5,000 Catholics from our diocese will be a part of this convention,” said Alwyn Quadros, president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R).
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, Dr Peter Machado, arch bishop, Bengaluru Arch Diocese, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese, Margaret Alva, former Governor, J R Lobo, former MLA, Antony Mendonca, former KAS officer, Gabriel Vaz, senior journalist, Janet D’Souza, senior leader Maharashtra and many other leaders of the community will be taking part in the convention.
The convention will be having seminars and talks on the status and future of Catholic Community in present times. Catholic people who have made a notable mark in the field of agriculture (paddy), health (traditional medicine), political, social and communication will be honoured on the occasion. Special honour will be given for natives of Udupi diocese, currently residing outside the diocese for their notable achievements. Co-operative bank directors, gazetted government officers, APMC directors will also be honoured on the occasion.
The laity convention will be a full day programme from 9 am to 4 pm. Catholic Sabha members under the leadership of Alwyn Quadros, president and Elroy Kiran Crasto, convener are working as a team to make it a success.
Projects of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R)
Manasa rehabilitation and training center, Pamboor
Catholic Sabha in past years has involved itself in various developmental activities for the community. The Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Pamboor, is a notable organisation of Catholic Sabha. The centre is serving for the last 23 years for the differently-abled children. Students are taught here to lead their life independently. Computer education is provided to these students.
Started in 1997 by the then Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh (R), the institution is now looked after by Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R). Students of Manasa Rehabilitation Centre have excelled in Special Olympics and have won many prizes. Separate hostel facility for boys and girls is also provided. Currently, Henry Menezes is working as president of Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre Trust assisted by Joseph Noronha, secretary, Sr Ancilla Fernandes, principal and Sr Mary Beck, warden.
Manipal Arogya Suraksha Card
Catholic Sabha in association with KMC Hospital Manipal / Mangaluru is providing Manipal Arogya Suraksha card facility. More than 44,000 people of 13,000 families are benefiting from this facility every year. Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh has provided free cards worth 1,82,500 to 123 poor families of the community.
Sashakth Samuday Seva Trust (R)
This Trust is working for the needy people regardless of their caste and religion. In last 7 years, the trust has contributed more than Rs 8 lac to 36 families for building houses, Rs 5,69,000 for 98 students for their education. Rs 3,64,000 for 46 people as medical aid. This trust is even helping non-catholic community members.
Helping aid to flood victims
With the help of faithful, Catholic Sabha collected relief items worth nearly Rs 1 core and distributed them to the flood victims of Kerala, Kodagu and Uttar Kannada. This work by its members is widely recognized.
Elocution competition, Pratiba Purskar, Scholarships
Every year, Catholic Sabha organises Kannada and Konkani elocution competition in church, deanery and diocesan level. Many young talented students of the community have now emerged as leaders through these competitions.
Top scorers of Udupi diocese in SSLC and PUC are every year awarded with scholarship by John D'Silva Foundation by Catholic Sabha. Nearly 714 students are benefited from this scholarship as of now.
Late Joseph Pinto and Late Mary Pinto endowment prize is awarded to poor deserving students of Catholic community.
Community Helpline Center
This centre of Catholic Sabha provides help for the poor deserving candidates to attain financial aid from Minority Development Commission and Dev Raj Urs development commission. It also guides students to avail facilities provided from government for their education.
Clean India campaign
Clean India Campaign was initiated by Catholic Sabha in all the parishes of Udupi diocese. On October 2, in all the units of Catholic Sabha, planting of saplings and cleaning the surroundings programme is being held.
Prerana 2019 – Entrepreneurs meet
Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Catholic Sabha jointly organized the first ever entrepreneurs meet of Udupi diocese.
Apart from these above programmes, Catholic Sabha has also organised many community building programmes. Members of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh visited Kemaru Shri Eesha VIttaldas Swamiji on the occasion of Deepavali. Members visit the mosques during the Muslim festivals and wish the Muslim brethren. Catholic Sabha also organised Christmas get together with the Government servants. Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh also marked the Silver Jubilee of “Amcho Sandesh” Konkani monthly.
As a feather to all its activities conducted down the years, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) is awarded with All India Catholic Union Award for “Best Organisation”, for two times in last 7 years.
The current Central Executive Committee under the able leadership of Alwyn Quadros, president, assisted with Santhosh Cornelio, secretary Valerian R Fernandes, immediate past president, Robert Menezes, president designate, Flyvan D’Souza, vice president, Jerald Rodrigues, treasurer, Gregory D’Souza, joint secretary, Anil Paul D’Souza, joint treasurer and patron Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi along with spiritual director Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves is all set to extend a warm welcome to all the faithful of diocese of Udupi to ‘Samudayotsav 2020’.