The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) holds 23rd AGM
Bengaluru: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) held its 23rd Annual General Body meeting, at Konkan Bhavan, Chellikere, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru here on Sunday, 11th of October 2020.
The FKCA, which was established as the apex body of all Konkani Catholic Associations to espouse the cause the Konkani Catholics and fight for safeguarding the interests of the community, their language and culture, and also to represent the Konkani community in politics and Government levels, has grown to be a big organization with as many 33 Associations, including those from several foreign countries affiliated to it.
Before the commencement the AGM the Holy Eucharistic Celebration was held at 10 am. The Holy mass was celebrated by Fr.Faustine Lucas Lobo – Spiritual Director of FKCA. The Eucharistic Celebrations was attended by the members present for the meeting as well as through Zoom App.
The meeting was well attended by its most of the member associations in person and those could not attend in person through zoom app. The meeting began with prayer led by Fr.Faustine Lucas Lobo.
Mr. Silvian Noronha, Chairman of FKCA welcomed the gathering. In his address, he gave a brief of various activities conducted by FKCA during the year 2019-20. He mentioned to the gathering that even during the Pandemic situation FKCA was able to reach out to many who were in need directly as well as through other organisations. The minutes of the previous year’s AGM and the accounts for the previous financial year 2019-20 were presented by General Secretary Antony Gonsalves and Treasurer Noel Sequeira respectively and the same were approved by the members.
The Chairman dissolved the Committee of 2019-20 and welcomed on stage, the election officer Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo to conduct the election procedure.
Fr. Faustine Lobo read out the names of the Nominees for the various posts. All the nominations were found to be in order and all the nominees were elected unopposed.
Silvian Noronha was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) for the period 2020-21. Antony Gonsalves and Noel Sequeira were also re-elected unanimously as the General Secretary and Treasurer respectively for the forthcoming term.
The following members were elected as the office-bearers of the FKCA (2020-2021):
Chairman : Silvian Noronha
Vice-chairman 1 :Sylvester D’Souza
Vice-chairman2 :Gregory Lobo
General secretary : Antony Gonslves
Treasurer : Noel Sequeira
Joint secretary 1 : Michael D’Souza
Joint secretary 2 : Shanthi D’Souza
Cultural secretary : Clemense D’Silva
Legal advisor : Richard Sequeira
Imm. Past Chairperson: Anand Edward D’Souza
The following members were co-opted by the Executive Committee for various activities
Spiritual Director: Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo
Media Manager: Godwin Castelino
The Chairman concluded by expressing his desire that the FKCA should be able to reach out to the poor and needy. He mentioned that his main goal is to identify property for FKCA. He mentioned that the politicians have failed to allot the land for FKCA which they have been promising over the years. Hence he will make all out efforts to identify suitable land for FKCA use. He thanked Past Chairman for their guidance and Support, the General Secretary, Treasurer, all Council members, all member association Presidents and members for their support and encouragement given to him during his tenure as the Chairman.
Mr. Praveen Peter addressed the gathering through zoom app. He mentioned that he is contesting for upcoming MLC Election from Bangalore Teacher constituency under Congress ticket. He requested all the members to support him since he has got an opportunity as a Christian, so that he can work for the betterment of the community.
The AGM concluded by Vote of thanks by the General Secretary Antony Gonsalves. He thanked Konkan Welfare Trust (KWT) for for providing the hall for conducting the meeting, Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo for celebrating the Holy Eucharist and officiating as Election Returning Officer, Choir group, Blue bird Caterers, Koncab President Arun Fernandes and their Committee for arrangements made for the mass and at the hall, media manager Godwin Castelino for arranging the photography and zoom app. He thanked all the members present for the meeting. Fellowship lunch was organised by FKCA.
