Media Release
Pune, Feb 20: This year is a momentous year for the Mangalorean Catholic Association (MCA), Pune, having completed 25 years since its formation. With a grateful heart February 10, 1996 is remembered as the day when a quarter of a century ago, the Mangalorean Catholic Club (MCC) came into existence with the blessings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Sacred Heart Church, Yerwada, Pune.
The idea was promoted by some seminarians of Divine Word Seminary (SVD) and supported by Saturine D'Souza, the first president of the Mangalorean Catholic Club (MCC). Late J B D’Sa (Bonna) of Kirkee is also appreciated for being instrumental in the name change from MCC to the present Mangalorean Catholic Association (MCA), Pune.
The main objectives of the association are to carry forward the rich culture and heritage of Mangaluru, provide a platform for the Mangalurean community to showcase their talent especially the children's, and above all to unite the Mangalurean Catholic families spread all over Pune. During this period, the association worked hard in bringing together the Mangalurean families settled in Pune. The member families of MCA includes any family where at least one of the spouses is a Mangalurean Catholic. There are more than 400 such families.
To facilitate interaction between members, the members meet and celebrate special occasions like the MCA anniversary, Annual General Body Meeting cum picnic, the Nativity of the BVM (Monti fest) and Christmas. Quite often MCA has been approached by Catholic parents especially around Pune and Mumbai and also abroad to find suitable partners for their eligible children. Hence a formal MCA Matrimonial Cell was created through which the community is helped. Our privately circulated newsletter 'MANGALORE- IN-TOUCH', the MCA Facebook page and MCA Whatsapp group are some of the mediums through which the members communicate and is kept together.
To commemorate the silver jubilee of MCA, February 14, members got together for a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration in Konkani at Christ the King Church, Pune. Fr Antony Rodrigues of Varanasi diocese was the main celebrant and Fr Edwin Vas of SVD, Ishvani Kendra, Pune was the concelebrant of the mass. The meaningful liturgy and the melodious choir comprising of MCA members enhanced the devoutness of the Eucharistic celebration.
Vijay Noronha, secretary of MCA delivered the vote of thanks, thanking the clergy and the congregation. He specially thanked the seminarians of the Divine Word Community (SVD) for being an integral part of MCA, the erstwhile and present members of the MCA committee, the sponsors and well-wishers.
Following this, the members gathered for a simple fellowship owing to the current covid situation. Fr Aloysius Gonsalves, vicar of Christ the King parish, Fr Antony Rodrigues, Fr Maxim Dias of Bellary diocese, and Fr Edwin Vas graced the occasion. Aloysius Saldanha, one of the founder members of MCA, Edna Rodricks, president, Vijay Noronha, secretary and the present committee members got together for a cake cutting ceremony marking the 25 years of completion of MCA. Aloysius Saldanha and Prescilla Braggs were fondly remembered and felicitated for their selfless service and constant support to MCA for the last 25 years. Some of the members enthralled the audience with their impromptu melodious singing. Fr Maxim Dias blessed the fellowship meal. Sunitha D’Souza, cultural secretary compered the event beautifully.
MCA will continue to strive hard to preserve their cultural heritage and promote their beloved native language Konkani and reinforce close links with Mangaluru – their homeland!
What began with the coming together of a handful of people grew into an active association of talented and hardworking members. The association thanks God Almighty always for His immense blessings on their humble endeavour.