Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 11: The Konkani Christian Association (KCA) of Mysuru celebrated the Harvest Feast and the Nativity of Blessed Mother Mary on Saturday, September 7 at their prominent Konkan Bhavan, Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, Mysuru.
The ceremonial service commenced with the offering of flowers to the Infant Mary by the Assembly and Fr Prashanth Noronha blessed the sheaves of grain which were brought in procession for the Konkani Thanksgiving Mass. Fr Wilson D’costa gave an introduction together with the significance of the feast at the beginning of the Holy Mass. The main celebrant was Fr Archibald Gonsalves, vicar provincial of Karnataka and Goa Carmelite Province along with 12 other priests from different denomination concelebrated the High Mass with great enthusiasm, zeal and fervor. In his homily, Fr Praveen Aranha highlighted the graces of Blessed Mary, to emulate her example and to treat our mother with respect, dignity and honour. At the end of the ceremony, sheaves of grain were distributed to the congregation simultaneously the traditional payasa (vorn) was served as a symbol of the harvest feast.
On the occasion, former 40 senior executive committee members were recognized for their community service and honoured by the chief guest as well as the KCA. The list was made public by the vice president, Stany Lobo. ‘Prathiba Puraskar’ was presented to 50 meritorious students for their great academic and remarkable performance in the province of education from SSLC to PhD, MBBS, LLM, etc. Among them were 2 gold medalists in MBBS, 2 gold medalists in LLB and LLM, 1 gold medalist in MBA and 3 PhD octorates. Walter D’souza, a specially-challenged person was honoured for being dynamic in Bocce Game. Fr Archibald Gonsalves felicitated the students with the certificate of achievement, shawl, garland and memento. The list was declared by the Joint Secretary Sylvester D’mello. Moreover, Pramila Monis, joint secretary had announced the donation of a projector and screen worth Rs 46,000 to the Government Higher Primary School, Hundi Beedhi, Hinkal, to meet the intellectual assistance of students. Scholarship of Rs 1,80,000 was distributed to poor students for their education irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
Speaking about the KCA, the chief guest applauded the unity and oneness of the community and appreciated the charity undertaken by the Association.
John William D’souza, president of KCA gave the presidential address, general secretary Joyce Sequeira welcomed the gathering. Anil Saldanha, treasurer, proposed the vote of thanks and Meena Dias, vice president, compered the programme. Around 500 Konkani residents of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts attended the celebration, which concluded with the serving of traditional vegetarian lunch provided by the association.