Media Release
Dubai, Feb 22: Bishop Robert Miranda of Gulbarga diocese was in Dubai on a private visit. During this short time, he wanted to meet and thank the ‘Goodwill Mission’ members. Therefore, Mangalore Konkans Dubai organized an event named ‘Meet & Greet Bishop Robert Miranda’ and to give him the required platform on February 19 at Winny’s Restaurant, Dubai.
Bishop Robert Miranda is the first bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Gulbarga. He was born in Mangaluru in 1952 in Kirem parish and did his schooling there and later BA in 1972 at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He was ordained as a priest on May 4, 1978 and as a bishop on August 18, 2005. From 2005 till today, he has been a great shepherd to Gulbarga diocese and working effortlessly for the progress of the mission.
What is Goodwill Mission?
A few people gathered together to help and support the needy in the Gulbarga diocese and formed a group named ‘Goodwill Mission’. The Goodwill Mission was started to support the poor villages in Gulbarga diocese. To name a few they provide education for children, renovate old houses, provide medical care, and build a place to worship in villages where people have no place to offer mass and prayers.
It was the dream of the late Bishop Basil Salvador D’souza to improve the quality of life of the needy in Gulbarga, including the basic facilities they must have entitled for. His dream has been executed amazingly by the Bishop Robert Miranda started workingon this project as the first missionary.
People gathered at the ‘Meet & Greet’ to celebrate the vision of Goodwill Mission, which has done so much for the needy and in pain, pray for showers of blessings, on those who carry out the mission of spreading happiness, spread the word and pray for the fearless to give more power to those missionaries who shelter the homeless, and honour the effortless mission of the bishop who has been working hard towards progress and giving many in Gulbarga, a ray of hope.
The programme started with a prayer song by Priyanka Maria D’Souza, the first runner-up of the Golden voice of UAE 2022 followed by a prayer ceremony conducted by Regina Sequeira.
Around 80 people gathered for this event including guests Dr Frank fernandes of mosaco Shipping, Joseph Mathias from Merit Freight Systems, Sr Jacintha Lewis CSJ from Dubai, Remy Rodrigues former president of Mangalore Konkans and Ronald Sequeira, treasurer of Mangalore Konkans and and member of goodwill mission.
Sonali Fernandes welcomed the guest with her welcome speech followed by honoring the bishop with shawl and garland by the guests. Ronald Sequeira presented the report about Gulbarga Mission project. Explaining how much great support that the Goodwill Mission members have done over the past years.
Prakash Kokatnur is one of the core members of the ‘Goodwill Mission committee came forward to share his experience about the Gulbarga diocese and spoke about the history and evolution of the goodwill mission.
There was a presentation and speech by the most rev Bishop Robert Miranda. He took all to 1982 and explained in detail how far they have come in developing the diocese and where they are standing today. He also put some light on the fact about current needs and the future projects of the diocese. Through his presentation it is evident that he has been working day and night for the betterment, to improve of the basic requirements of life. He truly is an example of listening to the spiritual calling and walking in the way shown by Christ. Bishop also addressed few questions of the crowd.
Mangalore Konkans Dubai surprised the bishop by handing over a cheque of Rs 8 lac to the mission. This amount will be used to build a chapel including the purchase of the land for the chapel. The entire team of Mangalore Konkans Dubai members came forward to hand over this cheque.
Frank Fernandes spoke a few words about the event, and project. He also spoke about how they can arrange a similar ‘Meet and Greet’ in the future and support society.
James Mendonca, president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai who was not present for the event due to prior commitment in Mangaluru, sent his best wishes. Though he was away, he made all the arrangements to make sure the event goes well.
Preethi Seema D’Souza was MC for the event conducted the event smoothly and concluded the event with vote of thanks.
About Mangalore Konkans Dubai:
Mangalore Konkans Dubai was established in the year 1988 with the basic objective of promoting the Konkani language and culture among the Mangalurean diaspora in the UAE. It also intended to extend financial support to the Mangalurean community in Dubai and in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Without diluting the original objectives, even with the passage of time, the organization pursued/followed its goals solemnly to emerge as a major force to reckon with within the UAE. Over the years, with an array of activities aimed at the general welfare of Mangalureans, Mangalore Konkans Dubai has played an essential role in keeping the pennant of the Konkani language and Mangalurean culture flying high in the desert land. Credit goes to Mangalore Konkans Dubai for being the first association of Mangalureans in the UAE in 1988, at a time when the community was scattered without a proper platform to feel the share and the flavor of Mangalurean culture. Instrumental in organizing the first Konkani Way of the Cross, followed by the first nativity feast for children with showering of flowers at the grotto, the first Konkani choir made its debut at St Mary’s Church, Dubai. It was due to the indefatigable efforts of Mangalore Konkans Dubai, for the first time, a Konkani-speaking priest was deputed to Dubai and with that, the permanent Konkani Mass was also started.
Mangalore Konkans Dubai has been involved in various charitable work through various sources over the years. And it will continue to support many good causes and social activities that could support the community. Mangalore Konkans Dubai has contributed to Gulbarga diocese in the past to build a chapel and at this Meet & Greet, they are again contributing to a second chapel.