Mangaluru: Catholic Sabha Mangalore Diocese organized women’s day celebrations at Valencia Church golden jubilee hall here on Sunday, March 14.
The program began with a prayer led by the Valencia church choir. Diocese Catholic Sabha Vice President Stevan Rodrigues Valencia welcomed the gathering.
The program was inaugurated by Fr Mathew Vas Kinnigoli Parish Priest Deanery Vicar and Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh. This was followed by placing lit lamps by the women representatives of 12 deaneries.
Fr Mathew Vas speaking on the occasion told “It’s my privilege to light the lamp and inaugurate this function along with 12 women representatives of 12 Deaneries. In the recent days, women are treated equally and we have reached a height where ladies are the pillars of the society. Every woman has her own capacity to achieve her goal in own way and the examples are the women who are present here today.
He congratulated each and every woman who were present on the occasion.
Catholic Sabha diocese President Stany Lobo said “Ladies give birth and it’s our duty to thank each and every woman. Today my heart is filled with love and compassion because you have accepted our invitation and come over to this program. My wish was to get Sparsha D’Souza for this event and when I asked her to be a part of this program she readily agreed to come. I congratulate and thank everyone for accepting our invitation.
Sparsha D’Souza in her inspirational message mentioned that “A Women should break her silence and needs to find her place in the community and male dominated society. The mind-set and patriarchal views of Indian people which come from ages where women are confined to a certain place has to be changed and only then the real fruit of laws would be ensured to a woman, she said.
Further, she added that “Quality, Efficiency and Intelligence are key components of an effective justice system. I’m proud and privileged to serve humanity through the Judiciary. So I say to each of you “God can raise up leaders from unexpected waters, He knows the future and is now preparing more leaders. Be a part of his plan,” she said.
Main speaker of the day Helen Nathalia lobo Income Tax Officer told “Catholic Sabha is one of the most reputed association of our society because their motto is to reach out to the needy and serve the deserving, Today from our community there are a very few people serving in government sectors and politics which is a very sad thing. So I request whoever is below 30 years of age and who are present here to go through the employment news, a newspaper which is released every week refers and guides us regarding government sector jobs. Mothers who present here when your child reaches high school instil in their mind about government sector jobs so that they try and attempt for government jobs”.
Guest of the function Fr Roque D’Sa in his speech said, “I congratulate all the ladies who are present here for the program. He gave his special wishes to the women who got felicitated and extended his greetings to Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh. He asked who is the pillar person of a house? A husband goes to work, works day and night, earns money in order to run the house. Children go to school, they study, they fight with parents, they ask for money, break things in the house, do mischievous things but it is a mother who understands and forgives her child because she has love and a kind heart towards her family. In a family a woman is a most ideal person. They are god’s shadow of love, he added and concluded his speech by describing a “WOMAN as W-Wonderful Wife, O-Outstanding Friend, M-Marvellous Daughter, A-Adorable Sister and N- Nurturing Mother.”
Women Achievers of Mangalore diocese were felicitated during the occasion by the dignitaries who were present.
1)Averly Lewis Modankap (3rd Rank in SSLC examination in Karnataka )
2) Resshal Fernandes Surathkal (1st Rank in PUC examination in Dakshina Kannada)
3) Flevisha Monterio Ranipura (National Level High Jump player)
4) Nishal D’Souza Bejai (National Level Shot put player)
5) Sparsha D’Souza Rosario Cathedral (Selected as the Civil Judge by the high court of Karnataka)
6) Sabitha Monis Grady Belthangady (Chosen for National Woman Achiever Award 2021)
7) Lily Pereira Milagres (Founder member of Diocesan Council of Catholic women and rigorous working towards women empowerment)
Catholic Sabha spiritual director Fr Mathew Vas, Valencia Parish Priest Fr Roque D’Sa, Diocese Catholic Sabha Stany Lobo, General Secretary Alphonse Fernandes, Selected civil Judge Sparsha D’Souza, Income Tax officer Helen Lobo, Ex-Catholic Sabha president Flavy D’Souza, Laveena D’Souza Lady Shakthi Kiran Representative and secretary of Catholic Sabha Mangalore South deanery, Noreen Pinto President Mangalore Episcopal City Deanery, Merlyn Rego President Valencia Unit, Nancy D’Souza lady Representative Valencia Unit and lady representatives of 12 deaneries were present. Around 400 women of the Mangalore diocese actively participated in this program.
Alphonse Fernandes secretary of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh rendered the vote of thanks. The program was well-compered by Patrick D’Souza Valencia.
By Gordon D’Almeida Valencia
Picture Courtesy: Stanly Bantwal
