Environment & Membership

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Environment & Membership

Environment & Membership Forum

One Family One Earth

The Membership and Environment forum and the Archdiocese office for Environment conducted a program on “One Earth One Family”. The topic gives a fair view that each of us belongs to one family living on one earth.

The program began with the prayer by Jt. Secretary Annette D’Cruz from the Bombay Catholic Sabha, followed by the Sabha anthem, The Vice–President of the Bombay Catholic Sabha in charge of membership and environment Mr. Bento Lobo welcomed everyone, Adv. Raphael Dsouza President of the Sabha in his welcome speech said there is a need to collaborate and work for the benefit of the environment.

Bishop Allwyn D’Silva in his keynote address emphasized the need to care of the environment, he said we need to start from our parish, our neighborhood, and our locality. We need to liaison with the government authorities to make laws for taking care of the environment.

Vice-president Bento Lobo gave a brief insight into the various activities carried out by the Sabha during the past year that involved the Collection of empty plastic bottles, tetra packs and E-waste, distribution of Christmas tree saplings, and distribution of ten thousand seed paper National flags. Sabha also conducted webinars on dry waste and wet waste segregation, climate change, the Laudato Si action plan, etc.

Mrs. Pauline and Ms. Giselle from Our lady of Lourdes Orlem parish, who are an E.C.O group had in addition to regularly doing a collection of plastics and E-waste, carried out projects that included recycling old books, and reuse of wedding gowns. They also shared their future plans for the environment.

Ms. Astrid Lobo spoke passionately about the need to engage more youth to do environmental activities and undertake projects for the same. Mrs. Rita D’Sa said that the environment does not have a religion and we need to collaborate

with other endeavors and gave the example of how St Michaels Church in collaboration with the Durgah Trust in Mahim distributed cloth bags. Mrs. Jane Rodrigues said that slum and street children should be roped into our environment initiates.

Fr. Luke shared the work done by The Archdiocese office of Environment and emphasized the need to collaborate on the environmental initiatives. Ms. Shawna Nemesia announced the names of people who had completed their Eco Ambassadors course for the years 2019.2020 and 2021.

The vote of thanks was given by Anthony Dias executive committee member of the Sabha.

The program was followed by the Eucharist celebration by Bishop Allwyn D’Silva and Fr. Luke Rodrigues. In his homily Bishop Allwyn said that the trees, plants birds are our cousins we are all a family. We need to care for and protect our families.

ENVIROMENT

Under Environment, several BCS units are engaged in disposal of empty plastic bottles, Tetra packs and electronic waste and promotion of environment friendly activities. While several members of the Sabha are recognized by various institutions as “Eco Ambassadors”, a young 8 years old Glenn Pinto (son of Chairman of one of Sabha unit) is the youngest “Eco Ambassador” of our community and is invited even by Civic Authorities to lecture on environment protection. Distribution of Christmas tree saplings with the help of Civic Authorities, distribution of environment friendly flags (containing flower plant seeds) on Independence Day and Republic Day were well received by the society.

The future event is by The Bombay Catholic Sabha along with Archdiocese office of environment on Saturday 11th June at 5 pm at St. Michaels Hall entitled “one earth One family” main speaker Bishop Allwyn assisted by Fr. Luke followed by Mass.

Membership

While BCS takes pride in converting adversity into opportunity to achieve several milestones. The team began well in surpassing past one year’s membership within 45 days of assuming office in 2019. However, the pandemic and the resultant closure of churches directly affected membership multiplication and unit extensions. Inspite of the lockdown many units had membership generated by using the soft copy of membership form and sending it to the office by email. St Anthony’s Malwani unit had the distinction of having the highest membership generated in the year 2019-2022

In a first of its kind a video has been made which explains the role of The Bombay Catholic Sabha and its activities, also a few inspiring words from the current president Adv Raphael Dsouza to the past presidents Dolphy Dsouza, Gordon Dsouza and Rita Dsa. Besides we have the patronage of Cardinal who has in his statement made it clear that every catholic of age 18 and above should become a member of the Bombay Catholic Sabha. Nevertheless, very soon we will not only be reviving some of the defunct units but God willing new units will be started soon at Mumbra-Diva & in the unrepresented Mira-Bhayander Deanery. Sabha however, remains the biggest affiliated institution of All India Catholic Union with over 62,500 members as of today.

Why become a member of the BCS?

The Bombay Catholic Sabha has played a leading role whenever Christians are under attack or their rights under threat. The Sabha spearheaded the action to protect heritage Crosses, support people of Uttan & Gorai against the Special Economic Zone, people of Sahar against Airport expansion, stood up against demands of people with political connections who harassed schools for undue favours like admissions, participated in the India against Corruption campaign and a host of other issues involving Human Rights and Social Justice. The Sabha has also organized large Public Rallies that have received good response at Azad Maidan and Shivaji Park and initiated mass agitations whenever it felt that there was injustice and brought the issues to the notice of the Government.

"It is certainly my conviction and desire that every Catholic working member of the community becomes a member of the Bombay Catholic Sabha”

What are its activities?

The BCS networks and collaborates with AGNI, Church in the City, Dignity Foundation, Justice and Peace Commission, Centre for Social Action, Small Christian Communities and many other NGOs and Organisations in the City and the Country.

The bulk of Sabha activities take place through its Units. They include organizing meetings with Elected Representatives, Enrollment of Voters, promoting Government Schemes for Minorities, awarding students for Academic Excellence, Parish Help Desks catering to various needs of parishioners, Medical Camps, Inter religious meets and many such activities.

Are you a member?

If not we request you to fill up the form. It is available with parish units and at the central office. It is also appended here. The life membership of the Bombay Catholic Sabha is Rs. 150/- only.