Diocesan News

Feb 3 : "Catholic Maha Samavesha - 2020" was held on Sunday, February 2 in the premises of Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar.

The event started with a 'unity rally' from Madanthyar town to church ground. Bishops of Mangalore, Puttur and Beltangady, hundreds of priests, religious sisters and thousands of delegates from the community, participated in the rally. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore flagged off the rally.

Ronald Colaco, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, hoisted the flag of the Catholic Samavesha–2020 prior to the formal inauguration.

Bishops and dignitaries inaugurated the Samavesha by planting saplings of sandalwood and lighting the lamp.

Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop of Belthangady Syro Malabar diocese, Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios, bishop of Puttur Syro Malankara diocese, Fr Maxim Noronha, vicar general, Mangalore Diocese, Ronald Colaco, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, Fr Mathew Vas, spiritual director, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, Fr Ronald D’Souza, director, ICYM Mangalore Diocese, Fr Francis D’Souza, director DCWC, Fr Eldo Puthankadathil, vicar general, Beltangady diocese, Fr Jose, Puttur diocese, Leon Saldanha, president, ICYM central council, Fr Basil Vas, parish priest, Madanthyar Church, Fr Stany Pinto, assistant parish priest, Madanthyar church, Dr Ronald Fernandes, member KPSC, MP Noronha, secretary, diocesan parish council, Mangaluru , Jaison Pereira, ICYM Karnataka regional representative were present on the dais.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha delivered the Inaugural Address. Bishop Geevarghese Mar Makarios blessed the occasion and addresed the gathering. Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy delivered the directive speech.

On behalf the Catholic community of Mangaluru, bishops of Puttur and Beltangady diocese and dignitaries bestowed the title ‘Vishwa Bhushan’ to Ronald Colaco and felicitated him with a shawl, memento and bouquet.

Rolphie D’Costa, president, Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh presided over the inaugural event and delivered presidential address. After his speech, Rolphie read the resolutions which were backed by the gathering with a huge applause. He handed over the resolutions to Ronald Colaco for submission to authorities concerned.

Joel Mendonca, convenor, Catholic Maha Samavesha - 2020 delivered the introductory speech and briefed the motto and five objectives of the Samavesha. He also welcomed the dignitaries and gathering.

Harish Poonja, MLA, Beltangady and other major donors of the Samavesha were felicitated by the dignitaries. After the stage programme, Eucharistic Celebration was held. Along with delegates, hundreds of priests who arrived from various parishes participated in the Mass.

Leon Saldanha read the oath for 'youth against drug and alcohol consumption'. Bishops felicitated the newly-elected vice-president and secretaries of various parish councils.

Dr Ronald Anil Fernandes, member KPSC gave a talk on 'Government jobs and youth towards the higher education'. Dr Harsha P S, police commissioner, Mangaluru spoke on the subject 'Crime and youths' while Lydia Lobo spoke on 'Drugs, constructive usage of social media and its control'.

Students of Sacred Heart English Medium School performed a welcome dance. Madanthyar church choir led by Prof Leo Noronha sang the prayer song. Walter Monis, secretary, Catholic Sabha rendered the vote of thanks.

Vivek V Pais and Francis V V compered the event.

Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Diocesan Christian Councils of Catholic Women (DCCW) were the organizers of this event, while diocese of Mangalore, Syro Malabar diocese, Beltangady, Syro Malankara diocese, Puttur were the joint organizers.

More than 30,000 Catholics witnessed this historic event.