Message on the inauguration of the Ruby Jubilee of Seva Kendra
Dear Archbishop Thomas D’Souza, members of the Governing
Board of Seva Kendra, members of the Finance Committee, former directors and
secretaries of SKC, our esteemed donors and partners, fathers, sisters, friends
and collaborators- On behalf of the “Seva Kendra family” a hearty welcome to
each and everyone of you for this inaugural function of the Ruby Jubilee of
this Institution.
It was on December 14, 1973 that SKC was registered as the
official social service society of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Msgr. Henry D’Souza,
the then Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Calcutta was its first President
and Fr. Henricks sj, its first executive Director.
Ever since - over the last 39 years - many others have served
in this organization and have rendered dedicated service and made enormous
contribution to society through this institution. This is the year during which
we will lovingly celebrate their ‘Seva’.
The inspiration for our ‘engagement’ in Society and the
principles on which we operate are spelt out in the social teaching of the
Catholic Church, a teaching that attempts to understand and interpret the
Gospel message of Jesus and attempts to respond to the ever emerging needs of
our people.
Jesus preached the good news to the poor. The true disciples
of Jesus are to make a preferential option for the poor as our Lord and master
did. This preference must embrace the hungry, the homeless, there in medical or
other need, and above all those without hope for a better future.
Standing with the poor, being present to them, seeing the
world through the perspective of the poor… advocating for the poor, are
essential to being a disciple of Christ.
We at Seva Kendra wish to continue the mission of Jesus as
our beloved predecessor did and I assure you today that we will do it with
renewed zeal and enormous enthusiasm.
Our mission is to bring ‘Hope and Healing’ to as many of our
brothers and sisters as we are able to.
It is filled with this Spirit that we begin a project for the
domestic workers which will be one our Jubilee Memorials. I request the
Archbishop to officially launch it when he delivers us this message.
I pray to Mary our Mother- the ‘lowly handmaiden’ to
intercede for us on our journey of service leading people from darkness to
light.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYFUL NEW YEAR 2013
