New Premises of Catholic Sabha M’luru Pradesh CEC Inaugurated
New Premises of Community Empowerment Centre (CEC) of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh inaugurated at Milagres Mansion, followed by Scholarship distribution at Milagres College Auditorium.
Mangaluru: It was a double celebration- Inauguration of the new office of Community Empowerment Centre of Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh (CSMP), located on the First Floor of Milagres Mansion, Opposite Milagres Church-Hampankatta, and also a Scholarship distribution to Three students held at Milagres College auditorium on Sunday, 9 October 2016. The new office of CSMP was inaugurated by Bishop of Mangaluru Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, along with Congress chief Whip Ivan D’souza, MLA J R Lobo, State Konkani Sahithya Academy President-Roy Castelino, Rev Fr Valerian D’Souza- Parish Priest of Milagres Church, Rev Fr Mathew Vas- Spiritual Director of CSMP, Anil Lobo- President of CSMP, among many other well-wishers and guests.
Stressing that more number of Catholics should get into politics, administrative and corporate sectors, Bishop Aloysius said, “It is these sectors that rule the country. Start your own business. Government has various schemes for minorities. The Catholic Sabha should engage in creating awareness about these issues. If there is good representation in all these streams, the Catholic community will flourish. Catholic Sabha is our strength. Our representation in politics is very poor. We need to raise our voices and fight for our rights in the community. The organization must try to motivate leaders to enter the political arena. I wish Catholic Sabha all success in their endeavors”.
Following the inauguration of the new office of CSMP, a formal function was held at Milagres college auditorium to distribute scholarships to three students excelled in their academics. The formal programme began with invoking God’s blessing through a prayer song rendered by Milagres Church choir. The welcome address was delivered by Melwyn D’Costa-former president of CSMP, followed by brief description of CSMP by Walter Monis, the secretary of CSMP.
In his address to the august gathering, J R Lobo- MLA Mangaluru South said “I would like to compliment the tremendous work done by the members of CSMP for the last 37 years since its inception. By launching the CEC, it will help the Catholic community to avail lots of schemes and benefits offered by the state government. We should know that our state government is providing lots of benefits to the minority communities, where Christians come under that- but sadly many Christians don’t avail these benefits. Individually, Christians are strong, but working collectively we are weak. We need to change this attitude, and work in unity for the development of Catholic Community. Also the members of CSMP should make sure they operate the organization in a very professional and systematic way.”
During the occasion, Chief whip of Congress legislative council Ivan D’souza was felicitated with a shawl, fruit basket, memento and a citation. Addressing the gathering Ivan said ” Being a past president of Catholic Sabha, I am honored to be felicitated by the Sabha members. I have always fought to get the best schemes and benefits for the Christian community. I have and will tour many districts and start Empowerment there, and completed campaigning in 13 districts so far. But many Christians are not aware about the benefits offered by the government, for which we need to start creating awareness among them. “
“I have urged the government to convert the Christian Development Council into a corporation and allocate at least Rs. 300 crore for the development of the community in the 2017-18 budget. The council has also urged the State to set up one hostel for Christian students in the headquarters of the 24 districts where the community is present in significant numbers. But there is a lack of awareness about the various development schemes formed by the government for Christians. The lack of information about government schemes is evident in these districts. I have demanded to form a corporation and open hostels for Christians based on the outcome of meetings with community members during my tour of Bidar, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Raichur, and Belagavi districts, which have a Christian population of about five lakh. Christians should come forward and raise their voices to build a better Catholic community. Christian need leadership, which is lacking presently. “
Rev Fr Valerian D’Souza, Roy Castelino and Fr Mathew Vas also spoke on the occasion, and wished the catholic Sabha all success in their ventures. The Catholic Sabha directory was released during the occasion. Scholarship of Rs 20,000 each was presented to Shiny D’Souza (Kulur) doing her Nursing, and Wilson D’Souza (Hospet) doing his CA respectively, while Rohan Pinto (Mangaluru) received Rs 25,000 also doing his CA. Until now the Catholic Sabha has offered Rs 4,15,000 in scholarships to the deserving students in academics. Manipal Hospital Health Cards were also distributed to the various branches of the Catholic Sabha.
Seven conveners of various Committees of the Sabha were given oath by Fr Mathew Vas, and were honored with flower bouquet. President of CSMP, Anil Lobo also spoke and appreciated the support rendered by the members for the smooth and successful running of the organization, and looked forward for the same support and encouragement during the rest of his tenure. Cyril Ferrao, the Joint Secretary of CSMP delivered the vote of thanks, while the the programme was professionally compered by David D’Souza (VP) and Vivid D’Souza (Treasurer) of CSMP.
