Namma Kudla Gathering at Udupi Farm House
‘Fraternitas’ - The Namma Kudla regional gathering was held at Udupi on June 18, 2024. By 9.30 am all the friars reached from north and south east and west navigating their way to our newly built ‘Farm House’ in Udupi. Incessant rains did not deter our brave friars from attending this important gathering. All were accorded a warm welcome with a hot cup of almond milk shake. The educational session followed on 'Mobile and Cyber Crime' by Dr Grynal D’Mello Associate Professor of Nitte University. At the outset Fr. Alwyn Sequeira, the animator of the community at Udupi Farm House welcomed all the friars. Fr. John Sequeira gave a brief overview of the topic and introduced the speaker. Dr. Grynal enumerated the various cyber frauds and how to be judicious and keep ourselves safe while using media platforms.

A hot cup of soup was served soon after the one-and-a-half-hour-long study session. This was followed by a group discussion on a very apt and relevant topic of ‘Vocation Promotion in the Region’. Several proposals were presented and all were of the opinion that individually we have to take responsibility to promote vocations. The evergreen Fr. Gregory D Souza moderated the session.

The Holy Eucharist was celebrated next in honor of our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Mass was presided over by Fr Jossey Rodrigues on the occasion of his forthcoming 74th birthday. Fr. Praveen Pinto the Superior of the Parental Community of Udupi Farm House requested all to pray for the good health of Fr. Jossey and sought the protection of our Divine Patroness over the Farm house and the members living therein. Fr Clifford Rodrigues, the Benjamin of the Region preached a short, crispy and thought-provoking homily.

The joy of the fraternal meal was doubled with Fr Jossey's birthday celebration for which Fr Michael Morris raised the toast, as usual in his vivacious and energetic style, conferring on Fr. Jossey 6 ‘honorary degrees’. The newly ordained priests Fr. Pranam Fernandes and Fr. Clifford Rodrigues were greeted and welcomed to the Namma Kudla Fraternity. Fr. Ligoury Crasta prayed grace over the meal and Fr. John Sequeira introduced the menu. All the respective Superiors invited one and all for the forthcoming festal celebrations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The convener Fr. Stifan Perera thanked the host community of Farm House, Udupi for the meticulous arrangements they made for the success of our meeting.

The Friars paid a visit to ‘Milagres Home’ the Retired Priests House, ‘Anugraha’ the Pastoral Center of Udupi Diocese and the newly constructed Audio and Video facility ‘Anuswara’. All in all, there were 19 friars who actively participated in the meeting. Fr. Melvin the Regional Coordinator informed that our next gathering will be in the month of November and more details will be given as we approach the date. Thus, the Fraternitas - The Namma Kudla regional gathering came to an end with a happy and joyful note.