The 15th NECCB Foundation Day 2024 Celebrations at St. Joseph's University, Bangalore (2008-2024)
Date: 20th Oct 2024
Introduction:
The North East Catholic Community Bangalore (NECCB) celebrated its Foundation Day on 20th Oct 2024 at St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore. The event marked the 15th anniversary of NECCB’s establishment and was attended by esteemed guests, clergy, and members of the community. There are more than 560 participants for the event in which Fifteen (15) Priests, Twenty (20) religious sisters, and seven (7) religious brothers.
Main Celebration:
The main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration was Rev. Fr. Victor Lobo SJ, Vice Chancellor of St. Joseph’s University. In his homily, Fr. Lobo SJ, emphasized the importance of community, unity, and service, inspiring the gathering to embody the values of compassion, empathy, and love.
Chief Guest Address:
Miss Kimnunchoi Khaute, the Chief Guest, addressed the gathering, sharing her experiences and insights on community building and social responsibility. Her thought-provoking words encouraged the audience to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in society.
Fr. James SJ, the Chaplain of the NECCB, delivered a heartfelt address, shedding light on the genesis of the NECCB. He recounted the early days of the community, highlighting the vision and perseverance of its founders.
“The NECCB was born out of a deep desire to bring together the Catholic community from the North East region, living in Bangalore,” Fr. James said. “Our founders recognized the need for a unified platform to preserve our cultural heritage, foster spiritual growth, and provide support to one another.”
Fr. James emphasized the significance of the NECCB’s journey, from its humble beginnings to its current stature. He acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, committee members, and well-wishers who have worked tirelessly to build the community.
Objective of the NECCB:
This Community is to bring all the people who hail from the hills and the valleys of the North East India, staying in and around Bangalore as one family in Christ Jesus.
“Today, we stand as a testament to the power of unity, diversity, and faith,” Fr. James said. “The NECCB has become a beacon of hope, a symbol of our shared identity, and a source of strength for generations to come.”
Cultural Program:
The event featured a vibrant cultural program showcasing the rich heritage of the North East region. The performances included traditional song, traditional dances, Rock music, and singing, highlighting the diversity and talent of the community.
Felicitations and Awards:
The occasion also saw the felicitation of outstanding community members and award presentations to recognize their contributions and the prize winners to the Essay Competition topic: “The contributions of Youth towards the growth of Catholic Faith in Northeast, India” conducted by the Executives to NECCB.
Conclusion:
The NECCB Foundation Day 2024 celebrations at St. Joseph’s University were a resounding success, fostering unity, solidarity, and joy among the community members. The event reiterated the importance of coming together and working towards a common goal of serving humanity. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the management of the St Joseph’s University especially the Fr Swebert SJ, the Rector and Pro Chancellor, Vice chancellor and all the University fathers for supporting us in many ways. Giving us this beautiful Auditorium and Canteen for our NECCB Programmes.
