Media Release
Bengaluru, Sep 27: The Kanara Catholic Association (KCA) Bengaluru held its 70th Annual General Body Meeting at the Konkan Samudhai Bhavan on Sunday, September 22. The well attended meeting saw the convening of KCA member body from across the city.
The morning was initiated with a mass celebrated by Redemptorist Fr Juventius Andrade C S S R and marked with an intuitively apt and powerful homily. Fr Juventius beautifully interweaved the principles of leadership and humility in line with the investiture of the new KCA Managing Committee and highlighted the purpose of building community through collaboration and Christian spirit.
The September reminiscent flavours of Monthi Fest were added by inviting the congregation to throw flower petals on the Maria Bambina. The mass was uplifted by the melodious voices of the choir infused with the voices of KCA’s senior singers coordinated by Coreen D’Souza Fareed.
The AGM was brought to order by KCA secretary Coreen D’Souza Fareed. It proceeded in a dignified fashion beginning with Adrian Fernandes giving the president’s welcome note. The Committee Members followed with a report of key events of the past year: Ajay Fernandes (finance and membership), Kenneth Peres (legal update), Luvena Rangel (media & marketing), KCA ID cards (Tina Alva), Coreen Fareed (music & culture), Louella Dsouza (travel), Jane Pereira (community events) & Shanti Peres (charity events & all souls day).
After the reading and passing of the 69th AGM minutes and accounts for the past year, the KCA Managing Committee for 2024-2025 were elected and instituted: Shanti Peres (president), Roshan Menezes (vice president), Palini Pinto (secretary), Ajay Fernandes (treasurer), assistant secretary (Coreen D’Souza Fareed) and committee members: Adrian Fernandes, Abran Fareed, Dianney Lobo, Jane Pereira, Jeffry Crasta, Karen Pais Prabhu, Lunita Pais D'Sa, Luvena Rangel, Naomi Rasquinha, Prajwal Mathias, Rajesh Ferrao, Rohan Pais, Savitha Gonsalves, Tina Alva, Veena Serrao, Adrian D’Souza (immediate past president).
The Manik Lifetime Award was conferred upon two eminent personalities - Margaret Alva & Dr Richard D’Souza by Adrian & Shanti. These luminaries have made great strides of impact in our society. Both awardees shared very powerful words with the member body while accepting the awards.
The KCA crochet-for-a-cause fundraiser raffle was drawn just at the end of the AGM proceedings with Veena D’Souza being the lucky winner. The blanket was hand crocheted by 8 women of the KCA over a period of three weeks and the proceeds will go towards the Catholic Women’s League Educational Fund for girls from lesser privileged families.
The AGM culminated in a sumptuous lunch marked by traditional Mangalorean delicacies catered by Ivan. KCA’s post event entertainment is turning into a much-awaited impromptu session. The Mangalorean songs and tunes from our lyrical committee members accompanied by Richie D’Souza on the accordion & guitar, Winston D’Souza on the violin and the elegant Sheila Mascarenhas on the keyboard brought many smiles to those present.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Louella D’Souza and the entire morning was seamlessly held together by Karen Pais Prabhu as the emcee. The commendable efforts of every member of the past committee in conducting a very august AGM and elections were noticed by all. A special note of thanks was offered to Akanksha Pereira for decorating the KCA crochet-for-a-cause blanket and to Ashaank Pereira for the photography throughout the morning.