The Lions Club, Moodubelle celebrated its Silver Jubilee with grandeur and splendour on Thursday, 15 December 2022. It was exactly 25 years ago that the Lions Club, Moodubelle was established by 32 members on 15 December 1997. Out of these 32 Charter Members, Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino, retired Indian navy Officer and the chief promoter of the Lions Club, Moodubelle was the Charter President and Ln. Devadas Hebbar was the Charter Secretary. It is the matter of great honour that the same Charter Office bearers are the President and Secretary after 25 years under whose leadership the Silver Jubilee of the club is being celebrated. Within five years of its existence, the Lions Club, Moodubelle constructed its own building ‘Lions Seva Bhavan’ to carry out meetings and service activities.
The District Governor Ln. M.K. Bhat inaugurated the major service project, namely, a 40 seater School Bus, costing Rs. 20 lakhs, donated by the Lions Club, Moodubelle in commemoration of its Silver Jubilee to St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. Following a brief prayer service, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed the School Bus. Thereafter, Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino presented the School Bus to the Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions, Rev. Fr. George D’Souza by handing over the replica of the bus key to him.
The formal Silver Jubilee Celebration programme was held in the Lions Seva Bhavan. Following the welcome dance presented by the students of St. Lawrence English medium School, the dignitaries paid homage to four Past District Governors (PDGs)-G.Naganur, Dr. H.V. Shivashankara, Prof. Wilfred D’Souza and H.P. Basavarajappa. They also paid homage to four departed Charter Lion Members of the Lions Club, Moodubelle-Benedict Martis, Boniface Barboza, Peter Raphael Aranha and William D’Sa. Following the prayer and welcome address by Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino, Ln. Dr. Austin Prabhu formally inaugurated the Silver Jubilee celebration by lighting the lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Ln. Devadas Hebbar, Secretary of the Lions Club, Moodubelle presented the report of the progress and various service activities of the Lions Club, Moodubelle during the past 25 years with the help of audio visual effectively edited by Ln. Ivan Menezes. The Presidents of the Lions Club, Moodubelel during the past 25 years were felicitated by Governor, Ln. M.K. Bhat.
Speaking on this occasion, the District Governor, Ln. M.K. Bhat said that he was happy to be part of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Lions Club, Moodubelle. He further said that he was glad to inaugurate the School Bus donated by the Lions Club, Moodubelle to St. Lawrence Educational Institutions on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebration.
The Past District Governors (PDGs) during the last 25 years of the existence of the Lions Club, Moodubelle were honoured by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. In his response for the honour, on behalf of the PDGs, Ln. Jayakar Shetty Indrali said that he appreciated the gesture of the Lions Club, Moodubelle for honouring the PDGs on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebration.
Following the Silver Jubilee celebration song presented by the students of St. Lawrence English Medium School, the District Governor Ln. M.K. Bhat hnaded over a cheque of Rs. 25,000/- from the District Funds to the School Bus Project.
In his message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo pointed out that those who are concerned with the needs and miseries of the people and those who come together to alleviate the pain and sufferings of the people are closer to God. The Lions Clubs have been doing the same as is evident from the fact that the lions Club, Moodubelle that was established 25 years ago has been in the forefront of the service activities. Speaking about the forthcoming Christmas celebration, the Bishop said that there is a lot of similarity between the message of Christmas and the work that is being done by the Lions Clubs.
Ln. Dr. Austin Prabhu was honoured by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais. Ln. Dr. Eugene D’Souza introduced Ln. Dr. Austin Prabhu. In his address, Ln. Dr. Austin Prabhu said that where there is a need there is a Lion. He narrated the good work that is being done by the Lions Clubs International throughout the world. He said that there are poor people all over the world who require help in various ways. The Lions Clubs all over the world do their best to bring joy and happiness by providing them necessary financial and moral support. He congratulated the Lions Club, Moodubelle for having completed 25 years of community service.
The Souvenir of the Silver Jubilee Celebration titled “Rajata Spandana’ edited by Ln. Dr. Eugene D’Souza was released by Ln. Elias D’Souza-Region Chairman of Region V.
The felicitation messages were given by the First vice District Governor Ln. Dr. Nery Cornelio, and PDGs H.S. Manjappa and Ravindranath.
Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino presented mementos to the dignitaries on the dais and acknowledged the presence of other important personalities in the audience. This was followed by the Thanksgiving Dance presented by the students of St. Lawrence English Medium School. Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, former Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle and presently the Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, Karkala Town had composed the prayer and Silver Jubilee Celebration Songs as well as songs for the Welcome and Thanksgiving Dances. The students of St. Lawrence English medium School were trained by Mrs. Maria Barboza.
Ln. Lavina Noronha proposed the vote of thanks and Mrs. Sarita Alva compered the programme.
