Udupi : Indeed our diocesan Catholic Sthree Sangatana has the top most one amongst all India dioceses. But it must be strengthened further, said Bishop Rt Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese.
Speaking during the annual general meeting of the Sugamya District Women’s Okkoota and Sugamya Mahila Sauhardha Sahakari Sangha®, held at Don Bosco Hall, Our Lady of Sorrows Church here on Monday, May 15, 2023, Bishop said that the process of Udupi Diocese Sthree Sangatana is much appreciated. It must be powerful and should enable the individuals to realize their full identity and powers in all spheres of life. Diocesan Women’s Okkoota must focus on empowerment of women and making them financially, socially and politically capable. He said there shall need to proceed developmental work towards further development of cooperative Sangha with each other’s cooperation. The women in the diocese should strengthen their leadership in the church in many ways and need to make second line leaders in the society which will encourage the betterment of the society. In order to make a powerful society and to achieve success, we should work hard to make our society stronger and stronger. Our diocesan Women’s group needs to be role models to other dioceses in the country, he said.
Earlier, the annual general meeting began with starting prayer by the Kundapur unit. The Diocesan Sugamya Mahila Okkoota President Anita Dias presided over the occasion. Sr. Lydia Fernandes, National Secretary of Catholic Shtree Sangatana was the chief guest. Bishop Rt Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto, Spiritual Director, Pramila D’Sa President of Sugamya Mahila Sauhardha Sahakari Sangha, Cynthia D’Silva General Secretary of Okkoota, Veera Wilma D’Souza Hon. Treasurer and other office bearers along with diocesan five deaneries presidents were present on the dais.
Cynthia D’Silva, general secretary, placed a long annual report during the occasion and Hon Treasurer placed the statement of accounts for the year of Okkoota and Mothiyam newsletter of the Okkoota.
Bishop and guests on the dais felicitated five marvelous achievers each from the deaneries in the society and their profiles read out by their respective deanery heads.
National Secretary Sr. Lydia Fernandes also felicitated by the Bishop and guests on the dais during the occasion. In her felicitation address, Sr. Lydia Fernandes appreciated the diocesan Shtree Sanghatana for their marvelous achievements’ for the society not only in the diocese, but also one of the best Catholic Women’s Okkoota amongst all dioceses of the country. She said that what her parents taught her benefited in serving women in the society and influenced her to do good work in other dioceses of the country. She found women can do the same for society’s empowerment. She planned to get together four pastoral commissions for future action of the Sthree Sanghatana at the diocese level.
Pramila D’Sa was felicitated by Sr. Lydia Fernandes and others on the dais for her tremendous achievement for the society.
Janet Barboza was unanimously elected chief editor of Mothiyam magazine during the occasion.
At the end Vice President Celine D’Souza proposed a vote of thanks. The programme winded up with a prayer song of Our Lady of Virgin Mary. Hilda Fernandes and Jyothi D’Mello of Karkala Deanery compared the beautiful programme.
