Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jul 28: CODP of the diocese and Permannur parish provided information on health and distributed relief material to members of all the religions in the nine wards of Ullal Hoige St Peter’s parish at Ullal Hoige on July 27.
Mangaluru diocese bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Permannur church parish priest Fr Dr J B Saldanha, CODP director Fr Oswald Monteiro, CODP assigned director Fr Vincent D’Souza, Mangaluru Corporation corporator Veena Mangala, Ullal municipal councillor Veena D’Souza, Demetrious D’Souza, Sarita D’Souza, Cynthia D’Souza, Lavina Ferrao and former president of the parish pastoral council Melwin C D’Souza were present on the dais.
Fr Oswald Monteiro welcomed the gathering. He said that CODP is a service oriented Catholic organization that has distributed more than 3,500 food kits to poor families during the COVID-19 pandemic. It always works for the growth of the poor with their concern. It has been collecting donations and does relief work. It also provides necessary information and creates awareness on health, he said.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said that ‘Manos Unidas’ which means united hands is an organization of poor women in Spain. The women there collect donations voluntarily and send it for the growth of poor people. We too should be the generous hands that support others in our community. God Almighty will help us hundred times for our mentality of distribution, he said.
Veena Mangala created awareness on COVID-19 and called on the people to obtain facilities available from the government for health issues.
CODP project director Lynette Gonsalves said that it is possible to stay away from coronavirus by certain precautions. CODP cancer project convener Shilpa D’Souza and CODP activist Pushpaveni explained about cancer, its prevention, treatment, obtaining treatment for it in initial stages and filling cancer patients with confidence. More than 350 poor people were provided with food products and health kits. Molly Silvin Monteiro compered the programme.