Mangaluru: Sarvodaya Welfare Institute was inaugurated on July 3. The event was inaugurated by Sr Rose Celine, superior general of Bethany Sisters and the office was blessed by Fr Dolphy Pais, provincial minister, Holy Trinity Province Karnataka. The programme began with a prayer song sung by the novice brothers and conducted by Fr Prashanth Noronha, vice novice master.

‘Sarvodaya’ Welfare Institute in the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka is a Capuchin venture towards the goal of a humanized world inhabited by a healthy humanity. It is a mission with a vision towards a horizon of universal brother/sisterhood in the society to feel and to heal, to experience solace and safety for oneself under the auspices of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of India. The vision of a humanized world was seen by St Francis of Assisi and was perfected and perfumed by the principles of love and be loved, live and let live of his life. This vision facilitates all to see the image and likeness of the creator in every creature impelling them to respect and revere every living being and be responsible to preserve their right to grow and be perfect.

‘Sarvodaya’ towards a healthy humanity is a balm to the people who are heavily burdened and broken, shed tears and filled with fears, thirsty for justice and gritty for consolations and run from pillar to post to appropriate the benefits given by the governments. Surely and certainly the institute calms down the anxiety, cools the temperature and cajoles the fear thus bringing a smile on the wrinkled faces, restoring the image of God to its original beauty.

‘Sarvodaya’ Vision : Promote, progress, perfect

‘Sarvodaya’ Mission : To promote a healthy humanity by progressing towards the realization of a humanized world, and making it perfect through peace, harmony, self fulfillment and prosperity; to progressively strive after this ideal in every individual case through personal guidance, common programmes of self help, counseling and legal aid, relying wholly on the providence of God.

The programme started with a prayer song invoking God’s blessings on the new venture of the province by the novice brothers and conducted by Fr Prashanth Noronha. Superior Fr Gerald Lobo, manager of the institute welcomed all the guests on the dais by offering flower bouquets.

The keynote address was read out by Dr Sr Judith Lewis, UFS. In her keynote address she highlighted the salient features of the ideals of this new organization which having undergone the birth pangs rejoices at the babe to be born. We know how hard it will be to nurture this new babe and how arduous a task it is going to be to make it grow with a holistic vision. Nevertheless, the management is determined to embrace the humanity in its totality and plan their programmes and activities to reach the least and the lost, so that they can rise up and face their lives with courage and confidence.

The beautiful and meaningful logo was unveiled by Fr James D’Souza, parish priest Holy Family Church, Meramajal and Sr Dulcine Crasta, UUFS which was created by Fr Jawahar Cutinha.

The objectives of the institute were dedicated to Human Kind by renowned supreme court advocate B S Banthia.

The resource persons: B S Banthia, supreme court advocate, Dr Sr Judith Lewis clinical psychologists and counselor, Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, advocate Joseph Menezes, chief financial consultant, Mumbai and Shanthi D’Souza advisor welfare schemes of the institute were introduced to the gathering by Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, director Vimukti Cell Ujire.

K Punja, president Sevanjali Prathistana Trust, Farangipet in his speech appreciated the hard work of Capuchin fathers in and around Farangipet and the Christians at large.

The chief guest Sr Rose Celine appreciated the new step taken by the Capuchin of Holy Trinity Province towards nurturing the families and bringing back peace and harmony in the family.

Fr Dolphy Pais provincial minister in his presidential address encouraged the friars to go to the society to feel the pulse and heart beat of the deprived and dejected to carry on the mission of Jesus our master.

Fr Gerald Lobo, superior of St Fidelis Friary and the manager of the institute welcomed the gatherings. Fr Joachim D’Souza, director of the institute thanked every member who contributed their might and support the institute to venture into a new kind of ministry. He also assured the people of expert help by expert resource persons.

Fr Edwin and Shanthi gave away the mementos as gratitude to the guests. With the reception the programme came to an end.