Pics: Justin Dsilva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 10: General body meeting of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) and Francis Danthi Memorial Literary Award and Denis D’silva Memorial essay competition prize distribution was held on Sunday, June 9 at Mount Rosary Church Hall Santhekatte.
Fr Leslie D’Souza, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church inaugurated the programme by watering the sapling. In his address to the gathering he said, “Today is the feast of Pentecost. Through Catholic Sabha we can protect our Christian Community. Catholic Sabha works with the aim of love, sacrifice and unity. Catholic Sabha is the pillar of our church. Let the holy trinity give all the members of Catholic Sabha strength to work for the society and to work towards betterment of our community.”
Wilson Kateel was conferred with Francis Danthi memorial literary award for his Kannada literary work ‘Nishedakolapatta Ondu Notu’.
Winners of Denis D’Silva memorial essay competition and All Indian Catholic Union painting competition were also honored on the occasion.
Chief guest of the function was Valerian Menezes, president Catholic Credit Co-operative Society Brahmavar. He released the Catholic Sabha directory.
Spiritual director of the Catholic Sabha Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves on the occasion said, “Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) stands as a model unit all over the India. As of now many other Catholic Sabha diocese units have approached me to make a study of our constitution. This has happened due to the hard work of our central committee. And also there is contribution of every single member. Let this leadership spirit continue and our Catholic Sabha Council stand as a model for others.”
Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) president Alwyn Quadrous thanked everyone who has helped me during his last tenure and also asked for the same support in upcoming days.
On receiving the award Wilson Kateel in his address to the gathering said, “Before in Kannada, many translated poems of various Indian languages were being published. But there was none from Mangalurean Konkani belt. By using social media, I along with some of my friends started to publish our own Konkani poems translating into Kannada. Today we are in such a situation that we need to wake up and start speaking. Many incidents around us have happened in recent times but none of a Christian leader has raised their voice against those things. Though ‘Nishedakolapatta Ondu Notu’ is a Kananda literary work it has feelings of a Konkani writer. This change is must today. We have to respond to the social happenings. To build a strong community it should have strong thought of mind. Without this thought the community cannot grow.”
Best performing Catholic Sabha units in Deanery level and parish level also honored during the occasion.
Gregory P T D’souza presented the report of 2017-18 general body meeting. Santhosh Cornelio, secretary presented the report of 2018-19 year.
Walter Cyril Pinto and Gerald Rodrigues, treasurer presented the financial reports of year 2018-19.
Activities conducted by Manasa Rehabiliation Centre and Sashakth Samuday Seva Trust were also presented during the occasion.
Alwyn Quadrous, president Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, spiritual director Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R) Valerian Fernandes, Immediate Past President Mary D’souza, Robert Menezes, designated president Santhosh Cornelio, secretary Gerald Rodrigues, treasurer Anil Paul D’souza, Walter Cyril Pinto, Henry Menezes, Elias Dsouza, Gregory Dsouza and family members of late Francis Danthi and late Denis D’silva and others were present during the occasion.
Mary Dsouza welcomed the gathering Santhosh Cornelio rendered the vote of thanks. Jacintha Colaco compered the programme.