Former 40 Senior Executive Committee Members, 50 meritorious students feted

Mysuru: The Konkani Christian Association (KCA) of Mysuru celebrated the Harvest Feast and the Nativity of Blessed Mother Mary on Sept. 7 at the Konkan Bhavan in Vijayanagar 2nd Stage here.

The ceremonial service commenced at 9.30 am with the offering of flowers to Infant Mary by the Assembly.  Rev. Fr. Prashanth Noronha blessed the sheaves of grain which were brought in a procession for the Konkani Thanksgiving Mass.

Rev. Fr. Wilson D’Costa gave an introduction together with the significance of the feast at the beginning of the Holy Mass. The main celebrant Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, Vicar Provincial of Karnataka and Goa Carmelite Province, along with 12 other priests from different denomination concelebrated the High Mass.

 In his homily, Rev. Fr. Praveen Aranha highlighted the graces of Blessed Mary, to emulate her example and to treat our mother with respect, dignity and honour. At the end of the ceremony, sheaves of grain were distributed to the congregation.

On the occasion, former 40 Senior Executive Committee Members were recognised for their community service and honoured by the chief guest. KCA Vice-President Stany Lobo read out the list.

Prathiba Puraskar was presented to 50 meritorious students for their remarkable performance in the province of education from SSLC to Ph.D., MBBS, LLM, etc. Among them were 2 gold medallists in MBBS, 2 gold medallists in LLB and LLM, 1 gold medallist in MBA and 3 Ph.D Doctorates.

Walter D’Souza, a specially challenged person, was honoured for being dynamic in Bocce Game. Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves felicitated the students with certificate, shawl, garland and memento. The list of names was read out by Joint Secretary Sylvester D’Mello.

Pramila Monis, Joint Secretary, announced the donation of a Projector and Screen worth Rs. 46,000 to the Government Higher Primary School, Hundi Beedhi in Hinkal.

Scholarship of Rs.1,80,000 was distributed to poor students for their education irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

Speaking about the KCA, the chief guest applauded the unity and oneness of the community and appreciated the charity undertaken by the Association.

John William D’Souza, President of KCA, presided. Joyce Sequeira, General Secretary, welcomed. Anil Saldanha, Treasurer, proposed the vote of thanks. Meena Dias, Vice-President, compered the programme.

Around 500 Konkani residents of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts attended the celebrations.