News & Pics: Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/SB)
Mangalore, Aug 2: The annual general body meeting of St Christopher’s Association was held at Rosario Cathedral cultural hall, here after the thanks giving Mass on Sunday August 2.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza offered the thanks giving holy mass of Christopher’s Association, along with Rosario Cathedral parish priest Fr Stanly Goveas and Rosario Pre-University College principal Fr Alwyn Ferrao on Sunday at 8.15 am.
Presiding over the occasion, bishop urged the St Christopher’s Association members and also community brethren, to help each other in difficulty. Further he urged the community youth to take up public service. He also assured financial assistance for the deserving students in this regard.
Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DCC) vice-president and lawyer Ivan D’Souza, was the chief guest on the occasion. He said that Catholic youths residing in the outskirts and working in the city need hostel facility. Hence there lies the need to build a hostel within the city, similar to the famed Bunts Hostel. He also assured all possible support from DCC to avail the facilities meant for youth from both state and central governments. Bishop on the occasion also congratulated MACO Co-Operative Society director Gregory Veigas for achieving financial excellence.
Children of members, Annette Nazareth and Royston Chris D’Souza were honoured for bagging 97 percent and 89 percent results, respectively in SSLC. Jithen D’Cunha and Joslyn were honoured for securing distinction in II PUC. Bishop also felicitated Jugul Paul Saldanha, for bagging first rank in M Tech.
Association vice-president Herald D’Souza, Fr Stanly Goveas and Fr Henry Sequeira were present on the dais.
A one-minute silent prayer was offered for the departed souls of late Fr Cyprian Coelho, Elias Rasquinha Cordel, Juliana Fernandes Cordel, Charles Lobo Cordel and Santosh D’Souza, Bondel.
The automobiles of Association members were blessed on the occasion. Large number of members attended the Holy Mass and function.
New office-bearers were elected for the next term. Susheel Noronha, Kulshekar was elected president, while Francis D’Souza of Rosario Cathedral as vice-president, Victor Menezes of Rosario Cathedral as secretary, Leena D’Souza Paldane and Herald D’Souza as joint secretaries and Fr Stany Goveas as spiritual director too were elected. Association founder secretary Alphonse Fernandes conducted the elections.
Carol Monteiro sang the prayer hymn on the occasion. Susheel Noronha welcomed the gathering. Association secretary Victor Menezes presented the annual report. Leena D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Herald D’Souza compered the programme.