Media Release

Bengaluru, Sep 30: KCA (Kanara Catholic Association), the oldest organisation for Kanara Catholics in Bengaluru held its AGM on September 26, 2021. The day started with solemnity and gravitas in traditional KCA manner with a holy mass celebrated by the Fr Joseph Royan. Fr Royan gave an inspiring sermon on the limitless of god, and with his exceptional communication and diction was able to impress the audience to the highest extent with a message that connected to all present.

The mass was followed by a breakfast sponsored by Hilma Roach which fortified the members for the AGM to follow. The AGM presented the report on the activities of the KCA over 2021, and considering the fact that the pandemic was rearing its ugly head, the range, depth and number of activities conducted by KCA, were amazing at the very least. The number of initiatives from offline activities like Covid relief and donating ambulances to the bishop, visits to orphanages, visits to elderly members were impressive enough. However, the addition of online webinars for education for younger members and the launch of the E-Khobar received great acclaim and appreciation from all members present.

An update was also given on the KCA property, presently lying subjudice, and two resolutions. The first resolution was to increase the lifetime membership of KCA from Rs 2,500 for members above 25 to Rs 5,000 was passed. The second resolution, which was also passed, was with regard to the criteria for the Manik awards which was amended to make the criteria more amenable to present times. A new committee for 2021-2022 with Hilma Roach as president, was also re-elected by the AGM.

In its efforts to promote members products and help member initiatives, six stalls were offered to members free for their products which ranged from linen, Christmas decorations, wines, and other interesting home based products most of which generated great interest and patronage among members. The AGM concluded with a sumptuous lunch which had an amazing array of dishes from patrade with mutton, chicken roce, sorpotel, Kashmir pulao, and a host of other dishes topped up with a traditional desert of vorn and a twist of a sweet pan.

KCA also had the honour or hosting a galaxy of luminaries like the FKCA president Silvian Noronha, KWT president Sylvester D’Souza, and other presidents like Vinodh Monteiro of Konkan Samudhai, Jayanagar, Michael D’Souza of KCA Mathikere, and Arun D’Souza of Koncab.

In indomitable KCA style, there was also a great turnout of former KCA presidents, Francis Colaco, Brig Gerry Gonsalves, Bertha Fernandes, Victor Menezes and Errol Fernandes, who have to be lauded for their great contributions to KCA in the past.

All in all, a great success for the 90 people who braved the fear of Covid and attended to great cheer.