Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 15: 'I would not call women victims, I would call them survivors, but there should not be a world where women have to survive, there should be a world where women thrive' – Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Catholic Sabha of the diocese organised Women’s Day celebrations on March 14 at Valencia Church Golden jubilee hall, here.

Program began with a prayer led by Valencia church choir. Diocese Catholic Sabha Vice President Steevan Rodrigues Valencia welcomed the gathering.

The programme was inaugurated by Fr Mathew Vas Kinnigoli, the parish priest of the deanery the vicar and spiritual director of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh. This was followed by placing lit lamps by women representatives of 12 deaneries.

Fr Mathew Vas speaking during the occasion said, “It is my privilege to light the lamp and inaugurate this function along with 12 women representatives of 12 deaneries. In the recent days women are treated equally and we have reached a height where ladies are the pillars of society. Every woman has her own capacity to achieve her goal in her own way and examples are of the women who are present here today." He congratulated every woman who was present during the occasion.

Women achievers of Mangaluru diocese were felicitated during the occasion by the dignitaries who were present.

1)Averly Lewis, Modankap (3rd rank in SSLC examination in Karnataka )
2) Resshal Fernandes, Surathkal (1st rank in PUC examination in Dakshina Kannada)
3) Flevisha Monterio Ranipura (national level high jump player)
4) Nishal D’Souza Bejai (national level shot put player)
5) Sparsha D’Souza, Rosario Cathedral (selected as the Civil Judge by the high court of Karnataka)
6) Sabitha Monis Garady, Beltangady (chosen for national woman achiever award 2021)
7) Lily Pereira Milagres (founder member of the diocesan council of Catholic women and rigorous working towards women empowerment)

The Catholic Sabha diocese president, Stany Lobo speaking on the occasion said, “Ladies give birth and it is our duty to thank each and every woman. Today, my heart is filled with love and compassion because you have accepted our invitation and come over to this programme. My wish was to get Sparsha D’Souza for this event and when I asked her to be a part of this programme she readily agreed to come. I congratulate and thank everyone for accepting our invitation."

Sparsha D’Souza in her inspirational message mentioned, “A woman should break her silence and needs to find her place in the community in a male-dominated society. The mind set and patriarchal views of Indian people which come from ages and women are confined to a place which has to be changed and only then the real fruit of laws would be ensured by a woman. Judiciary- Quality, Efficiency and Intelligence are key components of an effective justice system. I am proud and privileged to serve humanity through the Judiciary. So I say to each of you God can raise up leaders from unexpected waters, He knows the future and is now preparing more leaders to be a part of his plan."

The main speaker of the day, Helen Nathalia Lobo, Income Tax officer speaking on the occasion said, “Catholic Sabha is one of the most reputed associations of our society because their motto is to reach out to the needy and serve the deserving, Today, from our community there are very few people serving in government sectors and politics which is a very sad thing. So I request whoever is below 30 years who is present here to go through the employment news, a newspaper which is released every week referring to the paper which guides us regarding government sector jobs. Mothers who are present here, when your child reaches high school put in their mind about government sector jobs so that they try and attempt for government jobs."

Guest of the function, Fr Roque D’Sa in his speech congratulated all the ladies who were present for the programme and gave his special wishes to the women who were felicitated and extended his greetings to the Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh. He asked, "Who is the pillar person of a house? A husband goes to work, works day and night, earns money in order to run the house. Children go to school, they study, they fight with parents, they ask for money, break things in the house, do mischievous things but it is a mother who understands and forgives her child because she has love and a kind heart towards her family. In a family, a woman is a most ideal person. She is God’s shadow of love." Concluding his speech he described a “WOMAN as W-wonderful wife, O-outstanding friend, M-marvellous daughter, A-adorable sister and N- nurturing mother."

Catholic Sabha spiritual director Fr Mathew Vas of Valencia, parish priest Fr Roque D’Sa, diocese Catholic Sabha Stany Lobo, general-secretary Alphonse Fernandes, selected civil Judge Sparsha D’Souza, Income Tax officer Helen Lobo, former Catholic Sabha president Flavy D’Souza, Laveena D’Souza Lady Shakthi Kiran, representative and secretary of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru south deanery, Noreen Pinto president Mangaluru Episcopal city deanery, Merlyn Rego president Valencia unit, Nancy D’Souza lady representative Valencia unit and lady representatives of 12 deaneries were present during the occasion. Around 400 women of Mangaluru diocese actively participated in this programme.

Alphonse Fernandes secretary of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh rendered the vote of thanks. The programme was well compered by Patrick D’Souza Valencia.