Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society (R), of the Diocese of Shimoga, celebrated its 34th Foundation Day

August 4, 2023

Shivamogga, August 3, 2023: The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society (R) (SMSSS) of the Diocese of Shimoga celebrated its 34th foundation day today at SMSSS-Chaitanya, Shivamogga.

To commemorate this day, SMSSS – Chaitanya organised a half-day programme. Priests and Religious of the Diocese and SMSSS staff gathered at SMSSS at 10 a.m.Director of SMSSS Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto welcomed the President of the SMSSS, Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Resource Person Rev. Fr Cedric Pralash SJ (a human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist/writer), VG of the Diocese of Shimoga Msgr. Joseph Felix Noronha, Priests and Religious, as well as staff gathered.

President of SMSSS & Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, introduced Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ to the gathering.

Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ spoke on “Awareness, Preparedness & Response” in attaining Social Justice in today’s context. He challenged participants to become a voice for truth and justice. He said that we draw courage from the Lord Jesus himself.

At 12 p.m., Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ celebrated the Holy Eucharist and thanked God. Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ preached a meaningful homily. He spoke on the Gospel of Matthew 13:47–53, “The Parable of the Net”. He contextualised this passage in today’s mission. He said that the net, fish, and Water symbolise Newness (putting on a new person like St. Paul – Jesus), Fraternity (reaching out to the needy with a compassionate heart), and Witness (to be visible & vocal).

SMSSS Director Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto thanked Bishop Francis for his support and encouragement in implementing the programmes. He also thanked the resource person, Fr Cedric Prakash SJ, for his inspiring talk and all those who gathered.

SMSSS was started on August 11, 1989, with the motto “Towards a life with dignity”. The late Archbishop Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Pinto, first Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, was instrumental in starting SMSSS. Then the Second Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, carried forward the mission of SMSSS to another level. The present bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, has taken SMSSS to another height.

Directors who served SMSSS are:

Rev. Fr Mark Patrick D’Silva
Rev. Fr Clement D’Souza
Rev. Fr Gilbert Lobo
Rev. Fr Veeresh Vincent Moras
Rev. Fr Richard Pais
Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto is the present Director.

A brief note on SMSSS Good-hearted people can partner with SMSSS.

The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society (R) is the ‘Development arm’ of the Diocese of Shimoga, Karnataka, India, comprising three civil districts, namely, Shivamogga, Chitradurga and Davanagere. SMSSS is a secular, voluntary, non-profit organisation registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960; Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and under sections 12A and 80G of Income Tax Act 1961. The society is committed to make positive change in the lives of poor and marginalized people irrespective of caste, Creed, gender, and race since it came into existence on August 11, 1989 with the motto “Towards a life with dignity “. Through its development interventions in 627 villages of the 187 Gram Panchayats of the three districts.

Vision: A Society Based on Justice, Peace and Love

Mission: Empowering the poor and marginalized through the process of capacity building and rights based actions

Goal: Marginalized communities will have access to and control over knowledge, resources, and decision making for their integral and sustainable development

Our Priority groups: Small and marginalised farmers, people living with HIV/AIDS, marginalized women, children and their parents, unemployed youth, unorganized labourers, etc.

Our Approach: