Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 23: Feast of St Camillus and 19th annual day of Snehasadan were celebrated on July 20.
The solemnization of the function began with thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration presided over by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese, Fr Baby Ellickal MI, provincial of Camillians, India, and with many other priests from Camillians and Mangaluru. Along with many well-wishers, benefactors and neighbours, around 450 joined the celebration.
A short and meaningful stage programme was organized. Fr Teji Thomas MI, director of Snehasadan, welcomed the dignitaries while Snehakids welcomed them with a bouquet of flowers.
Ivan D Souza, MLC, Mangaluru, Dr Bharath Shetty MLA, UP Ibrahim (zilla panchayat member), Sachin Adapa (taluk panchayat member) and Uday Bhat (panchayat vice president) were fondly remembered and felt their absence.
Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha in presidential message appreciated the humanitarian work carried by the centre (Snehasadan). He also mentioned that all the people from Mangaluru diocese are part of this noble work.
Director Fr Teji Thomas took this opportunity to express his gratitude towards the people who are like family members to be honoured:
Eugene Rent and Benita Rent for donating this two acres of land where the Snehasadan building stands.
Dr Ravi Vaswani, professor, Yenepoya Medical College, who is very keen and affectionate as he treats the children and residents for the past 16 years.
Dr Caroline D Souza feels one among the family member of Snehasadan as she is ever ready for consultation.
Jerald Resquinha who helps them to rehabilitate abandoned families, and the inmates over 10 years.
V J Dixon, dance teacher, who takes interest to bring out the hidden talents of the children was the Kala Samrat Awardee of 2019. He renders voluntary service through the Music and Art for Change Trust, Mangaluru.
This was also an opportunity to announce the annual report ‘Sneha Spandan’ by Fr Baby Ellickal MI and was handed over to Sr Juliet Lobo, provincial superior of SRA. Fr Baby mentioned that he feels at home to be in the center whenever he visits and has witnessed the affectionate love of the children. He also appreciated the collaborative mission work with other religious specially this year with SRA sisters having sent Sr Clarice Lobo SRA to be a full time staff.
‘Spoorthy’, the hand written magazine of children in which their talents were appreciated like drawing, poetry, small stories etc was released by Sr Rose Celine BS, superior general of Bethany Sisters. She congratulated and appreciated very much of the various talents of the children.
A few of the students were encouraged and appreciated for their outstanding performance in the school and other extracurricular activities like dance, sports, hard work, and Marathon were felicitated.
Children exhibited their talents wonderfully in dance, mime, and an action song from small kids which left the floor with laughter.
The words of gratitude were expressed by Fr Jomin Thomas MI.
Thereafter a sumptuous meal was served.
About Snehasadan, St Camillus Care Home
St Camillus De Lellis, the founder, was a great lover of the sick. He believed in caring the sick, even when there is no cure. He saw the face of Jesus Christ in the suffering person and his spirituality is continued through his followers, the camillians.
The order of the ministers of the infirm popularly known as Camillians, is exclusively involved in health care for more than 450 years. Camillians are committed render a comprehensive health care with a preferential option for the poor sick.
Snehasadan, St Camillus Care Home, is the third ministry initiative of Camillians in India under Sneha Charitable Trust. The idea of starting this center began with the initiative of Eugine Rent, who donated two acres of land and the foundation stone was laid by the Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, on June 1, 1998. It was inaugurated on January 4, 2001.
From the time of its inception, Snehasadan could render comprehensive, and dignified end stage care to the abandoned sick. Around 2,500 adults and 220 plus children received their care, More than 500 persons breathed their last experiencing the tenderness of God through the touch of camillians.
Snehasadan is a home of love with its core values of compassion, commitment, care and competence. The holistic care includes medical, nursing, nutritional, counselling, recreation and spiritual services. It provides value based formation for children to build their self-esteem and confidence. At present it cares for 39 children and 10 adults.
Government of Karnataka awarded Snehasadan with ‘State Award- 2015’ for its service to the welfare of children on November 14, 2015.
The Sandesha award of the year was received by Snehasadan on January 22, 2019.
They are proud to state that the camillian sisters have extended their generous hands in establishing the Camillian mission in Mangaluru. They have great appreciation for Bethany sisters, who impart education to children in their schools and colleges. SRA Sisters collaborate with them in various ways and Sr Clarice SRA have joined them this year to support the mission.
It is a moment of pride for all of them that their adult boys and girls receive five-figure salary, having completed professional courses like Engineering, Computer application, teachers training, auto mobile, lab technician, X-Ray, BSW, and driving. Some of them are also married and settled.