Kuwait: Mangalore Diocese at 125 - Emissaries Conclude Gulf Tour
Report & pics: Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Nov 27: As a preparation of post centenary silver jubilee celebration of Mangalore Diocese this year and to create an awareness and inform faithfuls about the Diocese presence around the Gulf countries, vicar general Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu and Milagres parish priest Fr Walter D'Mello visited Kuwait after their visit to the other Gulf countries such as UAE, Oman and Doha.
Kuwait’s Largest Mangalorean Association Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) hosted a meeting at ICSK, Amman branch premises, Salmiya from 7 pm onwards on Saturday November 26. The Kuwait visit of the dignitaries was hosted by prominent community leader Archibald Menezes.
The programme started with prayer by Rudy D'Souza along with a brief introduction of the meeting. Archibald Menezes welcomed the guests and gathered. KCWA President Steven Machado led the priests to the dais and honored with bouquets.
Parish priest of Milagres Church Fr Walter D’Mello gave a brief introduction on the purpose of the meeting, programmes and projects being planned to commemorate the post centenary silver jubilee. A short power point presentation, prepared by Canara Communications Center on the Diocese of Mangalore was presented to gathered.
Vicar general of Mangalore Diocese Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu in his speach explained the various projects planned by the diocese to mark the jubilee celebrations and requested the support of all catholics of the diocese living in Kuwait and associations to make it a grand success. Following are the projects planned for the jubilee year which will continue according to the time required to complete.
• Building 160 low cost houses of 290 sq/ft at a cost of Rs 2 lakh each for the homeless poor families of the diocese: Each of the 160 parishes of the diocese will be offered financial assistance to construct a house for the needy family.
• Providing free education up to PUC for poor children: It is our responsibility to see that every member of our community receives education at least up to PUC level.
• Building hostels in the city for our boys who aspire for higher education: Opportunities for higher education and employment are more available in the city of Mangalore. Hence to provide opportunities of higher education to the boys of rural areas hostel facilities in the city are a felt need.
• Building a shrine/chapel at Bajpe in memory of the visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II to Mangaldore: It was indeed a privilege of our diocese to host the visit of Pope John Paul II at Bajpe on February 6, 1986. In memory of his beatification, a shrine/chapel will be constructed at Bajpe at the venue.
• Establishing a Marian/Diocesan Museum at Rosario Cathedral to display the history of our diocese of the past 125 years: The documentation of the historical growth of the diocese of Mangalore will be displayed in the proposed museum.
• Conducting a Quiz on the history of the diocese through Rakno during the year of the jubilee: The quiz is being conducted by Rakno in order to educate the community on the historical development of the diocese.
• Bringing out a souvenir to mark the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee: In order to record the jubilee events in a fitting manner and acknowledge the contribution of the donors and well wishers a souvenir will be released on the occasion.
The concluding function of the Jubilee celebrations will be held on February 11 and 12, 2012.
During the question-and-answer session some of the queries were answered by Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu. A coordination committee was formed to follow-up and mediate between the community members and the jubilee committee under the leadership of Felix R Saldanha.
The other members of the committee are Archibald Menezes, Ida D’Silva, Steven Machado, Clifford D’Souza, Edward Castelino, Arun Noronha and presidents of all mangalorean catholic associations in Kuwait. Light refreshments were served to all at the end. KCWA president Steven Machado proposed the vote of thanks.