Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi (ODS)
Abu Dhabi, Nov 18: A meeting was convened to brief the Mangalorean Catholic Community regarding the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of Mangalore at India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 17 November evening.
The event commenced with a prayer by Valerian Dalmaida and Michael D’Silva – President of Konkani Cultural Organization(KCO welcomed the gathering.
More than 200 Catholics of Mangalore Diocese were present for the meeting. The Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu and the Parish priest of Milagres Church Fr. Walter D’ Mello were present to brief the audience.
Both the priests explained the projects of the post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Diocese of Mangalore. When the Diocese completed 100 years Pope John Paul II visited Mangalore and blessed the Diocese. A well described and impressive power point presentation prepared by Canara Communication Centre was appreciated by the people present with awe for the Christly service rendered by the Mangalore Diocese.
Thereafter, many people oriented programmers in the field of development took place in the diocese.
Now the diocese has completed 125 years. To celebrate this event in a worthy manner the faithful of the diocese felt and proposed that importance may be given to the areas of development of the people in need. The Vicar General stated that the various projects have been taken up namely :
1. Building of 160 houses for the poor.
2. Free Education to the poor up to PUC. The third and subsequent child will be given free education.
3. Building a hostel for students aspiring higher education.
4. Building a shrine at Bajpe at the site where Pope John Paul II addressed the people.
5. Developing Marian museum at Rosario Cathedral Mangalore.
6. Taking up mission work where people have not heard the good news.
7. A Quiz on the history of the diocese.
8. Bringing out a souvenir to mark the post centenary silver jubilee celebration.
Fr. Walter D’Mello said that all these works cannot be carried out by only the people who are in Mangalore alone, as in all other projects , the people of the Diocese of Mangalore scattered all over the world and very specially in the gulf countries had been helping the projects with their generous contribution to achieve the desired results.
He was glad that the people from the Gulf Region have expressed solidarity and their enthusiasm to celebrate this jubilee by doing good to the people who need our help.
Snacks were served to all the people and a question and answer session was held and the enthusiastic supporters raised various questions to know and clarify the issues related to the projects and the support that they can do for the projects and Fr. Denis Moras Prabhu suitably clarified the questions. Both Fr. Moras and Fr. Walter overwhelmed with the support and enthusiasm from the people present.
Fr. Walter thanked Leo Rodrigues and Michael D’ Silva in organizing the meeting at a very short notice. Both the priests’ accorded a cordial welcome to the people in the Gulf countries to attend the Jubilee programs on the 11th and 12th February 2012.
A ten members committee was formed to follow up the developments, execution and progress of the project plans and the support that can be generated from the people of Mangalore Diocese residing in Abu Dhabi towards these projects.
The committee members are: Valerian Dalmaida, Richard Castelino, Richard Mendonca , Alphonsces Mendonca, Rony Lobo , Lavina Rodrigues, Suzy Fernandes, Canute Pinto, Michael D’Silva and Walter D’ Almeida.
The program was compered and vote of thanks was given by Canute Pinto.