Centre for Social Action (CSA), which is the social work and development office of the Archdiocese of Bombay, celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 8^th October 2022. The event was held at St. Pius College Auditorium, Goregaon East, Mumbai. The Chief Guest for the event was His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias. The other dignitaries present for the event were Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Bishop Barthol Barretto, Fr. Neil dos Santos (Trustee – CSA), former Director Fr. Rocky Banz, Fr. Jolly Puthenpura – Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India and the present Director Fr. Joseph Gonsalves. The dignitaries were welcomed with the lezim dance followed by the aarti of the dignitaries. CSA’s partner centre heads, other priests and nuns, donors and delegates from funding agencies and some beneficiaries were also present for this event.

The program began with a prayer dance followed by the lighting of the samay by the dignitaries and felicitation of the dignitaries with a sapling. Fr. Neil dos Santos, then gave the inaugural address in which he mentioned how prior to its registration as CSA, it was called the Office of Social Work and how CSA has created its own identity not only among the Catholic population but among the civil society at large. He also mentioned how the former and current trustees of CSA with their expertise have given shape and moulded the functioning of the Social Apostolate in the Archdiocese and how CSA has not restricted itself to answering needs of everyday life of people around but has led from the front by empowering various groups of people. After this, the CSA Silver Jubilee souvenir was released by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias and the other dignitaries. His Eminence, then, shared his message with everyone present at the event. He thanked all the former Directors individually for all their hard work through different methods. He also mentioned how CSA was active in providing relief throughout the pandemic, how CSA has not only been helping people but also empowering them by providing skill training and giving dignity to people. The Silver Jubilee plaques were then presented to all the dignitaries on stage.

The cultural event then began. Firstly, the Koli dance was presented from Dharavi Island followed by the documentary video which had messages from our Trustees, former Director, present staff, funding agency and few experiences shared by the beneficiaries. Next, the traditional Kathkari dance was presented from Raigad followed by a few of our beneficiaries who shared their experiences – Ms. Madhuri Vaishya of a Self-Helf group from Mumbai, Mr. Ganesh Katkari of a Balsabha (Children’s Parliament) group from Raigad and Mr. Edwin Nunes of farmer’s group from Dharavi Island, on how being associated with CSA has made a difference in their lives and communities. After this, the traditional East Indian dance was presented from Dharavi Island followed by a few more beneficiaries sharing their experiences – Ms. Laxmi Kheir of a Kishori (Adolescent girls) group from a tribal village in Raigad spoke confidently in English and shared how being a member of the group and attending the Tree of Life and other sessions has motivated her to do something good for her people and be a voice to them. She thanked the partner centre and CSA for this opportunity and the various sessions that were conducted for the girls as she now works as a Wadiprerika (grassroot social worker) in one of the villages of the partner centre. Similarly, Ms. Sandra Itur of Core Committee (CC) from Dharavi Island and Mahi Shaikh of a Transgender group from Mumbai shared their experiences. Finally, Fr. Joseph Gonsalves gave the vote of thanks and a hamper containing the tribal products was presented to His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias by Ms. Pauline Serrao of Navjeevan Social Enterprise Foundation (A sister concern of CSA).