By: Flora D'Souza

Mumbai, Mar 9: Judean Women Cell, a Catholic Women’s Cell, officially inaugurated on March 15, 2015 at Jerimeri, here. There are 25 registered members as of now.

They celebrated their first anniversary combined with International Women’s day on Sunday March 6.
The programme commenced with a solemn Holy Mass in Hindi celebrated by parish priest Fr Lancy Pinto in Indian Right (Hindi) at 5 pm.

During the homily the priest shared and expressed his feelings, “Men and women are two sides of the same coin. God created men and women in his own image and without men, there can not be women and without women, there can not be men. So in a family there should not be any partiality between a woman and man as both are equal. He also gave an example of a Dharavi family on the theme of the day about forgiveness. During offertory, members offered different articles to help the less fortunate.

After the mass there was a get-together and cultural programme in the Quadrangle Hall of the church. The official stage programme began with a prayer dance by the member children, directed by Sr Dominica.
The progrmme was inaugurated by chief guest Janet D’Souza, president of Maharashtra Women’s Congress and vice chairperson Maharashtra State Minority Commission along with other dignitaries Fr Lancy Pinto, Sr Seema, Sr Dominica, Sr Tejaswini, Fr Gabriel, Br Kanakia Das and Flora D’Souza, coordinator of the cell.

The founder of the cell, Sr Seema welcomed the renowned chief guest, all dignitaries on the dais, members of the cell and the gathering and also expressed her feelings on why Women’s day is celebrated and how it started.

JWC awarded its founder Sr Seema, for her discipline, dedicated service through Jagruti Kendra and outreach to the needy, women's empowerment and also for her wholehearted support and direction to the cell and honored her with a shawl and flower bouquet.

Judean Women Cell awarded its core committee member Rani Fernando for her selfless service in all the fields in the parish and honored her with a saree and flower bouquet.

In the holy sacrament of matrimony, we vow to each other in the name of Jesus Christ that we will always be together in sickness and in health, in good times as well in bad times. This vow is still remembered and practiced in faith and love by one of our parishioners Rita D’Souza thus setting an example for others as well. She was awarded for her love, care, faithfulness and commitment towards her husband, who met with a serious accident in Kuwait on April 3, 2015 (Good Friday) and is paralyzed.

Sunita J Fernandes, Gansoli conduced a session on 'self defence' and a presentation on how to tackle daily misbehavior of a stranger while on a journey or in a crowd.

Secretaries Sheila Chettiar and Maria D’Costa presented the report for the year and mentioned the various activities, medical camps (cancer screening), seminars, yoga classes provided to the parishioners and also the member’s participation in the various programmes.

In her address, chief guest Janet D’Souza, stressed upon woman as an important pillar of society, bestowed with capability of playing multiple roles such as mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and a professional in her respective role at the workplace. She has the power to create, nurture and transform. She also said that there are many women who have no proper access to education, healthcare and equal opportunity and if any help is required in women empowerment, women upliftment, she is ready to help this Cell at any time. She congratulated Judean Women Cell and wish them all the best.

On the cultural side, Tamil and Konkani dances presented by the respective members added a spark to the event. The cell thanked choreographers Leena Fernando, Jovila D’Souza and choir leader Freeda D’Souza and honoured them with flower bouquets.

On behalf of parishioners and participants, Gracy spoke about the performance of the Judean Women Cell. She thanked and congratulated them and wished them all the best.

Flora D’Souza, proposed the vote of thanks to all the donors who generously supported the programme, the dignitaries, members of the cell and the large number of parishioners for making the day memorable.

Spot prize games were conducted and the programme was compered by Mamtha Chettiar, treasurer of the cell, in her lively and unique style.

Snacks packets were distributed to all.