Grandeur Celebration mark 50 Years Journey of St Christopher’s Association
Mangaluru: St Christopher Association, Mangaluru completing its glorious fifty years of its existence celebrated the occasion with grand and glittering function on Sunday, 6 August 2017 at Don Bosco Hall-Mangaluru at 5.30 pm. MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil inaugurated the golden jubilee celebration; Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided, while other guests of honor on the dais were MLA J R Lobo; chief whip of Legislative Council and MLC Ivan D’Souza, along with the board members of the Association namely Sushil Noronha-Honorary President/Convener; Harold D’souza- president; Re Fr J B Crasta- Treasurer/Spiritual Director; Nigel Pereira- Secretary; Leena D’Souza – joint secretary; along with three senior founder members of the association.
The programme began with a prayer song invoking God’s blessings sung by Prem Kumar and group, followed by welcome address by Honorary President, Sushil Noronha. After the inauguration by the dignitaries, the Association report of activities/projects was read by Secretary Nigel Pereira. Addressing the gathering mayor Kavitha Sanil said, ” On the outset I would like to applaud and compliment the members of St Christopher’s Association for their yeomen service to the community through various projects and social service. Mangaluru should be proud of having this great Catholic association which is doing great service to the community. We need more such Associations in Mangaluru that cater to the needs of the poor and the needy. Christians here are a big asset to Mangaluru, who serve the community in the form of education, health care, social service and other helpful projects”.
Fr J B Crasta-the spiritual Director briefing about the life of St. Christopher, the protector of travelers, a life of service said, ” The St. Christopher medal is inscribed: “Saint Christopher Our Protector.” The patron saint of travelers who gave his life to the service of Christ and others. Often, people recall Christopher’s story as an uncomplicated one who assisted travelers seeking to cross a dangerous river. His service to travelers earned him the honor of being the patron saint and protector of travelers. It is the story of a man who was, himself, a traveler, and of his journey to Christ where he found his true destination in the service of the Lord.”
“Devotion to St. Christopher continues even today. Travelers wear St. Christopher medals around their necks, place St. Christopher medallions on their dashboards, carry St. Christopher medal key chains in their pockets, or clip them to sun visors to keep him close and to protect them. The medal is worn to protect travelers and is also said to offer protection against lightening, pestilence, flood and epilepsy. St. Christopher also has a following with soldiers. In cases where a soldier is unable to wear or keep a medal on his person, he might carry a St. Christopher prayer card in his pocket. Following in the footsteps of St Christopher, the members of this great St Christopher’s Association have been very helpful to the auto-rickshaw drivers, have given loans to students for education, have built houses for the poor, built a hostel for rural folks and many other projects. Indeed a marvelous service by these Good Samaritans of this Association” added Fr Crasta.
MLA J R Lobo speaking said, ” This Association has lasted for fifty years is only because of the unity, dedication, commitment and hard work of its members in the form of community and social service. Even though the Christian population India is only about 2%, but we should be proud of the work that our community is doing for the society, either through education, health care and other community-based projects. No doubt St Christopher’s association has brought name and fame to the Christian community through vast community oriented projects, helping those in needs. We the faithful should also support the Church, because Church is the people. Only through our support and patronage our Churches can survive- let us not allow it to diminish, like its happening in Western countries, where Churches are closing due to lack of participation from the faithful. Let this organization live up to in celebrating its centenary, and beyond.”
MLC Ivan D’Souza addressing the audience said, ” I feel blessed to be associated with St Christopher’s Association for the last so many years- and feel proud to say that the Association has done great community service. There are nearly 4900 auto-rickshaws in the City hypothecated to this Association, and the drivers are getting all the help they need. I have tried to get nearly Rs 50,000 lakhs sanctioned from the government for the development of this Association. We Catholics should work in unity leaving behind any hate and jealousy. Catholics should take up education to become IAS, IPS, Police Commissioner and other big government posts- there are many courses available and Catholic should avail those offers- and not just look for jobs in the Gulf and other foreign countries. We Catholics can do it, and reach our community to greater heights”.
Bishop Aloysius P D’Souza also speaking said, ” For decades I have been associated with St Christopher’s Association, and I want to compliment the dedicated and hard working members of this association for their yeomen contribution to the society. “Do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16) Notice that besides “the sharing of things with others,” we must also remember “the doing of good,” or helpful acts. For example, wise parents train their children to help the elderly with everyday tasks; to encourage the sick by means of a card, a visit, or a phone call; and to take a personal interest in other children who are poor or suffer from a disability. As a result, children learn to be kind and generous year-round.”
“We need to be little generous towards the poor, and also continue our generosity in the years to come. We all can make a difference in their lives. Let us give to the less fortunate families and children a feeling of hope, and make them cheerful, and make a difference in their lives. Let us show the spirit of love and giving, and show the needy that you care. For that matter, I am happy that this association is doing tremendous service to the needy-keep up the good work that you all are entrusted with, and may God bless you all” added the Bishop.
Cheques of Rs 10,000 each were donated as part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the association to NGO’s namely- Bhagini Samaja; Cardts-Pumpwell; Ava Maria Palliative Care-Vamanjoor; Jeevandaan-Gurpur; Modankap Needy family; among others. During the occasion, former spiritual director Fr Mathew Vas was honored, followed by felicitations of 21 Founder members and former presidents. Bishop Rev Aloysius P D’souza, who is the chief patron of the Association; and Founder member Alphonse Fernandes were especially honored for their love and support to the Association in particular and to the community in general. The Golden Jubilee souvenir was released by the Bishop. Ex-president Late CTJ Gonsalves (CA) who was the accountant for the association was also honored- his son Sunil Gonsalves (CA) received the honor on behalf of his late dad.
Prior to the grand celebration which was held in pomp and gaiety at Don Bosco Hall, in the morning there was a Thanksgiving Mass held at Rosario cathedral- Mangaluru, with main celebrant the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese-following the Mass the Bishop blessed the vehicles parked in the Cathedral campus. The vote of thanks was proposed by Vice President Francis D’souza, the programme was compered by Roshan Madtha. The formal function ended with a cultural entertainment comprising of musical nite by Maxim Pereira; dances by Nach Sobhan, and comedy skit by Comedy Express troupe.
Journey of 50 years of St Christopher’s Association :
St.Christopher’s Association was established in March 1967 at Bishop’s house. Late Bishop Rev Basil .S. D’souza was the Patron of this Association, Fr. Fred Pereira was founder spiritual director. Alphonse Fernandes was the founder lay person of this association, which was also called as “Driving Licence Holder Association”. The association which started with just 132 members, now has reached up to nearly 1700 enrolled members, of which 800 members are very active members. Maco Society and Petrol Pump were started in 1975 by our association. Now, these are working independently. The creative work of other members and their unselfish service provided guidance to the members of the organization and their families. The association, therefore, became famous in the state showing that nothing is impossible in deed with single-minded effort.
In 1981 a hostel was built for the students and working class men from rural areas. Presently there are 55 working men staying in this hostel. Every year we provide note books for members children and we also provide loan for higher education without interest. We also have death benefit fund for our members. Every year we celebrate Easter and Christmas in orphanages and we contribute useful items. This year we had organized an eye camp in Vamanjoor, where 200 people benefited by this camp, who received free spectacles and free eye check-up. We had donated wheel chairs to the Government Wenlock hospital, and our Bantwal-Mondankap members have built a house for a needy person, which will be inaugurated on 13th August.
Further, to explore more help and opportunities for members, shares were collected from well-wishers and Maco Cooperative Society was formed. The Maco Cooperative Society with its petrol pump and auto apparels, conducted business in crores and reached significant levels. Maco is known throughout the state as a model. MLC Ivan D’Souza is the present president of this Society. The Association has planned to build a house for a needy person here from our Central committee and also a bus shelter as part our Golden jubilee memorial celebration. Since the hostel is 35 years old, there are plans to renovate it.
The association has extended monetary help and assistance for spiritual well being of members which include the annual three-day retreats for the members and their families, Mass for the departed souls of members, parish-wise cricket tournaments between members, felicitation through family welfare fund to meritorious children of members who secure high marks, monetary help for higher studies, loan without interest, financial support to the families of members who pass away, and other monetary and spiritual help.
On 13 August a family get-together of association members is also planned. The Association had -Albert D’souza as founder president, while Joseph Mascarenhas, Blasius D’souza (ex-minister), Sushil Noronha, Victor Menezes, Raymond D’cunha as past presidents, and at present Herold D’souza. Former Secretaries were- J.Alphonse Fernandes(Founder secretary) who had served for 33 years, Sushil Noronha, Ronald Saldanha, Cyril Pinto, Victor Menezes, Harold D’souza, Denis D’souza; and at present Nigil Pereira. Former Spiritual Directors were- Fr.Fred V. Pereira, Fr. John D’souza, Bishop Aloysius .P.D’souza, Fr. Mathew Vas, Fr.Stanley Tauro, Fr. Cyprian Coelho, Fr. Stany Goveas; and at present, Fr.J.B.Crasta of Rosario Cathedral.
St Christopher Association’s Bantwal branch also works hand in hand with the mother body. Bantwal branch with around 15 members has been operational for the past two years. This branch has built a house, and repaired two houses of needy people. An office of the branch will be opened on August 13 and on the same day newly constructed houses for the poor will be blessed.
Present Office Bearers of St Christopher’s Association:-
Patron: Bishop Aloysius Paul D’souza
Spiritual Director/Treasurer: J B Crasta
Honorary President: Sushil Noronha
President: Harold D’Souza
Vice President: Francis D’Souza
Founder Secretary: Alphonse Fernandes
Secretary: Nigel Pereira
Joint Secretary: Leena D’souza