M’lore diocese: Gatherings held to help single parents

Mangaluru: In order to give confidence and hope to single parents, widows, widowers, and those staying single after divorce or marital separation, the diocese of Mangalore plans to bring them together, through gatherings.
According to the clergy, single parents and others usually stay away from the community and its celebrations. A first attempt was made at the diocese level a few days ago, at St Anthony’s Ashram in Jeppu, which tried to bring together single parents under one roof. The first get-together witnessed the attendance of 98 widows or widowers, and others from various parishes.
The event was organised by the family life commission, social development commission, and lay faithful commission of the diocese of Mangalore.
Fr JB Crasta, head of the ashram, said that the month of September in the Church is dedicated to girls as ‘Monti fest’ or ‘Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary’is celebrated. “As part of Monti Fest, and also post centenary silver jubilee (1898-2023) of St Anthony’s Charity Institutes of Jeppu, we came up with a gathering for single parents, to know their struggle in society. After the programme, we also learnt that not many single parents are comfortable coming in a large group, due to various personal and societal reasons. Therefore, here onwards, the same programme will be held at the parish level, under the diocese of Mangalore. The groups will be small, for better communication. This is to reach out to the people who are in difficulty, and unable to share their anxiety,” he said.
Alban Rodrigues, the retired principal and administrator of Kapu Danda Thirtha Educational Institutions, was the chief guest of the recently held get-together. He stated that current single parents face numerous external and internal pressures. He advised them, that they need to be filled with courage and confidence.