Doha: Mangalore Diocese at 125 - New Ideas Emerge at Meet
Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Nov 24: A meeting was convened by MCC to brief the Mangalorean community regarding the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Mangalore on Monday November 21 at 7 pm at the ICC Ashoka hall.
The event commenced with an introduction by Reena Castelino. Prayer was led by Riana Pinto. President of MCC Richard D’souza welcomed the gathering and gave a brief explanation on the purpose of the gathering.
Richard D’Souza escorted the visiting priests, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, parish priest of Milagres Church Fr Walter D’Mello and Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) president Harry Lobo to the dias. Guest priests were welcomed with bouquets.
More than 75 Mangalore Diocesans were present for the meeting.
Both the visiting guests briefed the gathering on the post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Diocese of Mangalore. A well described and impressive power point presentation prepared by Canara Communication Centre was presented to the audience.
The Vicar General stated that 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 monument at Bajpe at the site where Pope John Paul II addressed the local people.
5. Developing Marian museum at Cathedral Mangalore.
6. A Quiz on the history of the diocese.
8. Bringing out a souvenir to mark the post centenary silver jubilee celebration.
Fr D’Mello said that all these works cannot be carried out by only the people who are in Mangalore alone, but, as in all other projects, the people of the Diocese of Mangalore scattered all over the world and very specially in the gulf countries have been helping the projects 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 less fortunate people.
Following suggestions were raised by the gathering to the visiting priests:
1. Medical assistance to the elderly and needy should have been a part of the project
2. Assistance to the Mangaloreans need to be given not only at the Macro level but also at a Micro level by identifying people who are working hard to share their talents for the benefit of the community
3. Industrial training can be given to the needy of Mangalore with the necessary equipment required and this in turn will help the needy to earn income for his daily livelihood and also provide employment opportunities to the other needy
Fr Walter thanked MCC for organizing the meeting at a very short notice. Both the priests accorded a cordial welcome to the people residing in Qatar to attend the Jubilee programs on February 11 and 12, 2012.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Sunil D’Silva and snacks were served to all gathered.