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Udupi, Dec 31: ’Ektharachem Nathal’ (Unity Christmas), a Christmas get-together of all the Konkani speaking people who are serving at all the places outside the diocese of Udupi, in India and abroad, was held with all gaity and splendor of Christmas spirit, among the special children at Manasa Rehabilitation & Training Centre, Pamboor, Shirva, on December 27. The event was organized by Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh.

Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the event by cutting the cake along with chief guests of the evening Frank Fernandes, chairman Mosaico Shipping Company, Dubai and Walter Nandalike, founder and managing director of Daijiworld.

Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo, who is also the patron of Catholic Sabha, lauded the dedicated service of Catholic Sabha for the community and their support for the development of the diocese.

He said, "In the recently held All India Catholic Union AGM at Ernakulum, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh was honoured with the ’Best Team Work Award’ ‘among 166 dioceses of India. This speaks volumes of the quality of service and leadership of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh.

"Catholic Sabha is functioning effectively as the face of the church in society at large, keeping up the spirit and aspirations of the Vatican II Council," he added.

He futher said, "There are 160 children of all communities being cared for here in Manasa centre. We have 734 children of our community with different disabilities in our diocese, and we want to develop this Institution to care for all of them." He appealed for support and assistance from all possible quarters.

Chief guest of the event, Walter Nandalike was introduced to the audience by Anitha D’Souza Pangla. He honoured and distributed cash prizes and certificates to the winners of diocesan final level, 18th Annual Konkani and 8th Kannada Elocution Competitions - 2014. He also handed over the rolling shields to the parish units who won the 1st place in each event.

In his felicitation address, Walter lauded the dedicated efforts of the members of the Catholic Sabha. He also deliberated on the views expressed by many of his NRI friends, regarding the priorities of the new diocese.

He requested the Bishop, "Please declare a moratorium of 5 years on new church buildings, except those absolutely in need of repairs, until the priorities of diocese like pastoral centre, hospital, medical and engineering colleges etc are established."

Frank Fernandes lauded the efforts of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh for organising a get-together of all the organizations outside the Udupi diocese and creating a network to assist the community people scattered all over the world in times of need. He also complimented all the organizations which participated in the event and wished the initiative a grand success in the years to come and pledged his support.

The bishop along with the chief guests felicitated Veronica Cornelio, Kemmannu on being appointed as chairman of Karnataka Soap and Detergents Ltd by the government of Karnataka, George Castelino Nakre, special invitee member of Christian Development Council, government of Karnataka (in his absence), and William Machado, Shirva, the president elect of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, on being elected as the president of tailoring association of Udupi district. They were aptly introduced by Alice Rodgrigues Pangla, assistant secretary, CEC, Udupi.

The special children of Manasa presented a welcome dance, a Christmas tableau depicting the event of the birth of Jesus, massacre of all male children by King Herod and the arrival of the 3 wise-men from the East.

The MSW students of St Mary’s College, Shirva, presented a prayer dance and a street play on the rights of children.

The Catholic Sabha parish unit of Pethri presented a skit - ’Kutma Purana’ (State of the Families) with a Christmas message.

The CS unit Pamboor entertained with Christmas carols.

Earlier, the president elect of CEC, CS Udupi, William Machado welcomed the gathering.

The participating associations were:

1. Barkur Peter Association Mumbai - Ivan Rebello
2. The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations Bangalore - Charles Gomes
3. Kemmannu Flowers - Alex Lewis
4. Kemmannu.com - Richard Crasta
5. Manasa Rehabilitation of Traing Centre, Pamboor - Henry Menezes and Sr Thelma
6. Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh - Mary D’Souza, general secretary

Elroy Kiran Crasta in his concluding presidential remarks pledged the commitment of the Catholic Sabha to take the initiative forward and spread the message of unity and love.

Walter Cyril Pinto, immediate past president of Catholic Sabha and the convenor of the event, proposed the vote of thanks. Flavia Menezes compered.

Walter Cyril Pinto, Veronica Carnelio, Flavy D’Souza, president, CS Mangalore, Henry Menezes, chairman, Manasa, Sr Thelma, principal, Manasa, the five deanery presidents Heric Gonsalves, Kundapur, Hubert Lewis, Kallianpur, Lewis Almeida, Udupi, Allan D’Souza, Shirva Albert D’Souza, Karkala and the president of Pamboor unit Fedrick Saldanha were present on the dais.

Photo Album:’Ektharachem Nathal’