Mumbai, 12 Mar 2015: The Archdiocesan Women’s Commission celebrated International Women’s Day at Stanislaus School grounds, Bandra (West) here on Sunday March 8.
The highlight of the evening was ‘She and He’ – the musical, attempts to trace the journey towards gender equality across time and space. The cultural programme was full of songs, dances and skits all knit together by the story-tellers - She (Sheena) and He (Hiru). As they explored yesterday, today and tomorrow they stumble upon the myth, the reality and the possibility of how She & He can together make this world a more caring and humane society.
The logo created by the Catholic Communication Centre was Red – color of love and Green – colour of life. It includes an artistic variation of the male female symbols. Yet they symbolize so much more. Could Red also be the color of violence and Green perhaps the color of jealousy, two motifs that plague man-woman relationships? These colors also mean that not a male-centric or female-obsessed world - but a human society, one that is more caring, sharing, and humane!
His eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias was the chief guest. He had a special greeting for ‘All the women throughout the world who are seeking every day, to build a more human and welcoming society.’ He also said that we should have more and more men to join hands on the line of thought of She and He to see it materialize in our family life. Gender equality has to create better families and hence the women’s cell and the family cell should come together to achieve this objective.
Cardinal honored Sr Philomena (sister of Ancy Paladka) for her selfless dedicated service in women empowerment. Sister Philo thanked her mother who came from Mangalore saying, Dev Borem Karum Mai for maintained equality among the children and also encouraging her on her every step. Cardinal also blessed Sr Philo’s Mai.
Cardinal also honoured Fr Alwyn D’Silva, parish priest of St John the Baptist Church, Thane as well as chairperson of the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Archdiocese.
While congratulating all women and men, Fr Alwyn shared his 32 years of experience of how and why he started motivating and empowering women.
The stage united all people more than 2,500 men, women and children, from all across Mumbai, who have just one thing in common with a dream of a world where women and men can stand shoulder to shoulder, empowered and liberated.
The general secretary Marcia D’Cunha thanked all the guests, supporters, participants and the large crowd who helped to make this celebration a grand success. Snacks boxes were distributed to all.