Media Release

Mumbai, Sep 24: The valedictory ceremony of the Women’s Leadership Training Programme (WLTP) 2025 a culmination of the WLTP held for 8 weekends, was a vibrant and soul-stirring celebration that beautifully captured the spirit of empowerment, leadership and faith. It was an evening of gratitude, reflection and inspiration, bringing together about 40 women across all ages and walks of life in a memorable finale on September 7, at St Pius X School Hall, Mulund.

The program commenced the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Sr Philomena D’Souza, Sunita Machado, Josephine Fernandes and Bernadine Fernandes. A soulful prayer dance dedicated to women’s empowerment uplifted hearts, followed by the recitation of the women’s creed.

Sr Philomena, co-founder of WLTP, addressed the gathering with heartfelt words that reflected the vision and mission of the programme. Her message was one of encouragement, urging women to embrace their leadership roles with courage and compassion.

The evening unfolded with a variety of creative presentations by the WLTP participants — skits that narrated the journey of a newly married woman with her mother-in-law, the inspiring biblical story of Queen Esther, an innovative play, about a young girl’s struggles and triumphs in the face of hurdles were beautifully dramatized. A moving poem on a mother’s journey with her differently abled child, resonating with raw emotion. A group dance portraying the delicate balance of women fulfilling multiple roles without losing their personal dreams.

Adding a personal touch were the testimonies of participants who shared how WLTP transformed their lives. The programme also featured songs of empowerment and the WLTP pageant, where participants showcased their key learnings and experiences from their training journey.

The highlight of the evening was the valedictory ceremony led by Bernadine Fernandes, president of the Archdiocesan Women’s Commission. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, speaking with warmth and conviction, emphasized that women bring diversity and equality into every space. Their unique gifts, perspectives and leadership are essential for the flourishing of families, parishes and society at large. His words of encouragement affirmed the church’s commitment to creating opportunities where women’s voices are heard, valued and celebrated.

The event culminated with the distribution of certificates by Cardinal Gracias and the anointing of the graduates by the co-founder, a proud moment for all who had journeyed through the training.

The heartfelt vote of thanks by Mildred, acknowledged the tireless efforts of all contributors—organizers, trainers, participants and supporters, all those who made the 20th batch of WLTP a resounding success.

Adding a special note of pride, the evening’s memories were captured by a transgender photographer, a deliberate choice by the Women’s Commission. This act of inclusivity was more than symbolic, it demonstrated the theory and practice of WLTP’s vision: embracing diversity, extending dignity and creating spaces where all voices and identities are respected.