Udupi : Kallianpur Deanery level Convention of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh ®, organized at the Sacred Heart Church campus, Kolalgiri  on Sunday, 29th November, 2015.

The Convention began with a thanksgiving mass at Sacred Heart Church, Kolalgiri concelebrated by Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Kallianpur Deanery and Rector of Milagres Cathedral along with Rev Fr. Wilfred Frank, Parish priest of Kolalgiri Church and Spiritual Director of Kolalgiri Church Catholic Sabha unit.

The stage programme was held at the Sacred Heart Church hall began with a prayer dance by the church students. Hubert Lewis, President of Kallianpur Deanery Catholic Sabha presided the function. Rev Fr. Wilfred Frank, William Machado, President of Catholic Sabha Diocesan central committee and Secretary Alice Rodrigues, The Designated President, Valerian Fernandes of the Central Committee, Vinod Crasta of Crasta Engineering Works, Kundapur and key speaker of the occasion, Alphonse D’Costa Kallianpur Deanery founder President and former President of Central Committee, Mangalore Diocese, Alwyn Quadros Treasurer of Central committee, Udupi Diocese, Veronica Cornelio, President of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd., Jacintha Colaco, Secretary of Kallianpur Deanery Committee, Steven Prakash Lewis, Convener of the convention, Kallianpur Deanery Presidents and other officials were present on the dais.

Rev Fr. Wilfred Frank inaugurated the convention traditionally with dried corn of paddy on the table, wearing traditional farmers’ cap on the head normally worn during farming along with all present on the dais.

In his inaugural address, Fr. Frank pointed out and appreciated the work of Catholic Sabha in our society in general. The catholic sabha working with interest, obedience, support and faith and obeying the constitution of Catholic Sabha, helping those who are in need politically or other way. The interest and services of the catholic sabha have been marvelous and so Catholic Sabha is the only leading organization in our community. He also said that Kolalgiri church unit since his appearance in parish worked tremendously with various services to the parishioners in particular.

Jacintah Colaco placed the annual report of the Catholic Sabha Kallianpur Deanery. During the occasion, winners of elocution competitions, newly elected members of grama panchayat, deanery level past presidents and secretaries were honoured with specially prepared roses from Manasa Pamboor by the guests on the dais. Veronica Cornelio was also specially felicitated with garland, shawl and fresh fruits for her services to the community and her role in political activities.

In her speech, Veronica Cornelio said that since her inception in the Catholic Sabha in 1997, she got great opportunities in Catholic Sabha. She appreciated the role of Catholic Sabha for our communities with the intention of service, sacrifice, unity.

Earlier, Luke D’Souza gave an introduction to Veronica Cornelio. The main speaker of the convention Vinod Crasta was introduced by Valerian Fernandes. During his speech, Vinod Crasta beautifully and sensitively outlined the catholic Sabha’s role in the society. He gave his positive opinion, the need of the catholic sabha for our community in various circumstances. He believes that Catholic Sabha is one of the strong organization of Catholic laity who need strong support from community leaders for the welfare of the people.

Kiran Elroy Crasta, past immediate president also spoke during the occasion. Hubert Lewis during his presidential address concerned poor participants during the convention. He called participants to enroll more members in the catholic sabha as well as to make more membership for Amcho Sandesh catholic sabha newsmagazine.

Earlier, Steven Prakash Lewis welcomed the gathering. Jacintha Colaco proposed vote of thanks. Jeneview D’Souza of Pethri, Ashwin Roche of Kolalgiri and Luke D’Souza of Mount Rosary compered the programme. Dr. Gerald Pinto graced the prayer at lunch. Cultural programmes were held after the stage programme. Around 150 members of Catholic Sabha participated in the convention.