Mumbai: Women’s Commission of Archdiocese organizes orientation programme

By Loraine & Flora, Jerimeri
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 26 Jul 2015: The new academic year for the Women’s Commission began with an Orientation Programme held at Salvation Seva Kendra, Dadar, here on Sunday July 19 from 9.00am to 1.30pm. Participants from deaneries across the Archdiocese were registered and over 200 women participated.

 
The event was compered by Lorraine. The opening prayer was conducted by Diana, parishioner of and St Dominc Savio parish, Wadala (East), here followed by the Women’s Creed.

 
Marcia D’Cunha, the exiting secretary - Women’s Commission, welcomed and introduced the new team on board - Fr Anthony J Fernandes - the ecclesial director of the Women’s Commission and Jean Saldanha, - secretary of the Women’s Commission.

 
Marcia briefly spoke about the founder ecclesial director Fr Ralph Fernandes who was the first priest to start the Women’s Cell in his parish 20 years ago, which grew in leaps and bounds. Bp Dominic Savio Fernandes, inspired by the Spirit of God, selected Jean Saldanha and requested her to take on leadership of the Women’s Commission. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Fr Anthony and Jean to welcome them.

 
Fr Anthony, addressing the gathering, said, ‘Marcia had raised the standard of the Women’s Commission in India and we stand 1st from Mumbai in the Archdiocese.’  He emphasized on the focus of shepherding like Jesus the Good Shepherd.  Jesus embraced the marginalized who were on the road, messy, poor.  The 5 Loves of Shepherding – (1) Individual Love (Woman at Well) help women to know people (2) Seeking Love (Lost Sheep) Women seeking should be tapped (3) Protective Love – Jesus died on the Cross protecting us (woman stoned to death) women should be skilled to protect women (4) Nurturing Love – Jesus experienced from Mary the first tabernacle – we should learn from Jesus in the Eucharist (5) Rejoicing Love – Resurrection of Jesus – Mary of Magdala experienced joy on seeing Jesus – women should experience joy and should have outings.

 
As Ecclesial Director, Fr Anthony said he would -

·         Strive to work with Jean in Parishes on the Women’s Cell – one woman to connect or vocational celebration

·         Strive to ensure that 50% are women and 50% are youth women  - get youth to bring in new ideas as today’s girls are very creative.

·         Strive to work with brother priests to change their concept of women, be inspired by women…. Like Pope Francis says “women can offer so much”….we have to pray for priests.

·         Strive for social networking –Whatsapp to be used positively –VOW in Facebook to contribute.

·         Strive that activities planned to be given full support.

 
Jean, addressing the audience, said it was a privilege and honor to serve the Women’s Commission. She highlighted on the Vision for the Women’s Commission. Vision is set and timeless, the way we operate vision… influenced by times, the people we encounter, signs of times to make it our very own. Every person has a contribution to make.  We cannot say we are helpless but a better word would be ‘possible’ – together we can make it happen…..she welcomed one and all to the Women’s Commission.

 
Lorraine thanked both, Fr Anthony and Jean.

 
The Deanery Coordinators then reported briefly on activities organized by their respective parish cells of their deaneries. Jean thanked the Coordinators and stressed on working within the framework provided and the importance of meeting with deadlines.

 
Christine, a lawyer of Majlis Legal Centre, spoke briefly on the great work done by them. Majlis was started 20 years ago by Advocate Flavia Agnes, a women’s rights activist and legal scholar, a victim of domestic violence herself. Majlis is a Forum for women’s rights discourse and legal initiatives. It consists of a team of all women lawyers and social activists committed to informing, educating and empowering women on their legal rights. Majlis offers legal services, conducts legal awareness training, and engages in policy level interventions, public campaigns and public interest litigation in order to help women access justice. They train Women Cell members through a Para Legal Course which equips them to deal with legal and non-legal institutions to effectively negotiate on behalf of women. Majlis works closely with the government of Maharashtra to ensure implementation and accountability of all state stakeholders.

 

 

 
Majlis provides support to women litigants for Domestic Violence, matrimonial law, family law by providing legal counseling and representation in court. They have partnered with the Department of Women and Child Development, government of Maharashtra for 2 projects: MOHIM (ensure effective implementation of Domestic Violence Act in Maharashtra) and RAHAT (provide socio-legal support to survivors of sexual violence). Majlis works with the victim gives them orientation to empower themselves and creates awareness. They organize camps for orientation of Women’s rights and have consultation for them. The Mahila Dakshata Samiti is a group of women connected with the police (at every Police station) which helps build rapport with the police. Majlis also organizes many Training Programs with the Police. Christine briefed on the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences Act) - an Act to protect children from the abuse of sexual assault, harassment and pornography.

 
She concluded with ‘laws protect us and children – use these laws which empowers women and help reduce violence to some extent.’

 
Lorraine thanked Christine for elaborating on the benefits of Majlis.

 
Toolkits were then distributed and a briefing on the same was given by Ancella D’Souza. She also elaborated on the highlights and importance of the Women’s Leadership Training Programme (WLTP) which is scheduled to begin from  July 25 at Antonio D’Silva School, Dadar here.

 
Bp Dominic Savio Fernandes was welcomed by Fr Anthony. Bp Savio expressed his happiness to see women with joy and thanked Marcia and Jean and other Deanery co-ordinators  for getting people together and for the programme organized to get women to be agents of change for the betterment of church, community and society.

 
Jean, thereafter briefed on the Girl Child Day theme and informed that a PPT and liturgy on the same would be sent which could be screened at the Archdiocese and all parishes. Banners of Girl Child declaration could also be put up in all parishes.

 
The programme concluded with the Women’s Anthem.

 
The grace before meal was led by Merlyn D’Sa, co-ordinator of Bhayander deanery.    Coffee, snacks and lunch was provided to all.