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Shivamogga, August 3, 2023: Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society (R) (SMSSS) of the Diocese of Shimoga, celebrated its 34th foundation day today at SMSSS - Chaitanya, Shivamogga.

To commemorate this day SMSSS - Chaitanya organised a half day programme. Priests & Religious of the Diocese and SMSSS staff gathered at SMSSS at 10am. Director of SMSSS Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto welcomed the President of the SMSSS Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Resource person Rev. Fr Cedric Pralash SJ (a human rights, reconciliation & peace activist/writer), VG of Diocese of Shimoga Msgr Joseph Felix Noronha, Priests and Religious as well as staff gathered.

President of SMSSS & Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ introduced Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ is to the gathering.

Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ spoke on "Awareness, Preparedness & Response" in attaining Social Justice in today's context. He challenged participants to become a voice for truth and justice. He said that we draw courage from the Lord Jesus himself.

At 12pm Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ celebrated Holy Eucharist and thanked God. Rev. Fr Cedric Prakash SJ preached a meaningful homily. He spoke on the Gospel Mathew 13:47 - 53 "The Parable of the Net". He contextualised this passage in our today's mission. He said that Net, Fish and Water symbolises; Newness (putting on new person like St. Paul - Jesus), Fraternity (reach out to the needy with compassionate heart) and Witness (to be visible & vocal).

SMSSS Director Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto thanked Bishop Francis for his support and encouragement in implementing the programmes. He also thanked Resource person Fr Cedric Prakash SJ for his inspiring talk and all those who gathered.

SMSSS was started on 11th August 1989 with the motto "Towards the life with dignity". Late Archbishop Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Pinto, first Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga was instrumental in starting SMSSS. Then the Second Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo carried forward the mission of SMSSS to another level. Present Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ has taken SMSSS to another height.

Directors who served SMSSS are:
1. Rev. Fr Mark Patrick D'Silva
2. Rev. Fr Clement D'Souza
3. Rev. Fr Gilbert Lobo
4. Rev. Fr Veeresh Vincent Moras
5. Rev. Fr Richard Pais
6. Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto is the present Director.

A brief note on SMSSS. Good hearted people can partner with SMSSS.

The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society (R) is the 'Development arm' of the Diocese of Shimoga, Karnataka, India comprising of three civil districts, namely, Shivamogga, Chitradurga & Davanagere. SMSSS is secular, voluntary, non-profitable organisation registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960; Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and under sections 12A and 80G of Income Tax Act 1961. The society is committed to make positive change in the lives of poor and marginalized people irrespective of caste, Creed, gender and race since it came in to existence on 11 August 1989 with the motto "Towards the life with dignity ". Through its development interventions in 627 villages of 187 Gram Panchayats of the three districts.

Vision: A Society based on Justice, Peace and Love

Mission: Empowering the poor and marginalized through the process of capacity building and rights based actions

Goal: Marginalized communities will have access and control over knowledge, resources and decision making for their integral and sustainable development

Our Priority groups: Small and marginalised farmers, people living with HIV/AIDS, marginalized women, children and their parents, unemployed youth, unorganized labourers, etc

Our Approach:

* Implementation
* Capacity Building
* Networking
* Rights Based Actions

Programmes of SMSSS:

* Women Empowerment
* Education and Development
* Natural Resource Management
* Good Governance
* Health and Development
* Capacity Building

For Further Information and if like to partner with SMSSS Please contact:

DIRECTOR
CHAITANYA - SMSSS
Alkola Circle
Sagar Road, Gopala Post
Shivamogga- 577205
Karnataka, India
Mobile: 876213791514 (Office)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.smsss.org

Report & photos
by Fr Franklin D'Souza, Hiriyur
Diocese of Shimoga
www.frfranklin.org
Mobile: 9013905078