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Kerala &
Christianity:
Christianity in India traces its roots to the visit of St.
Thomas one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, to Kodungalloore in
AD. 52. During the course of time, the descendents who accepted
the hierarchy of Rome and Pope as their head, came to be known
as CATHOLICS. Soon they found their sway over many parts of
Kerala. They started playing very prominent role in the socio
cultural and educational and healthcare fields through their
appreciable contribution in the respective fields. Catholics,
more than anything, valued family ties, filial relations,
literacy, social interactions, human relationships and moral
values and individual duties and social obligation. With
outstanding educational backgrounds and a strong desire to
stabilize themselves more economically and willingness to work
anywhere in the world, many a Keralite began to look beyond the
Kerala horizon and migrate to greener pastures in search of
employment.
Bahrain & Keralites:
Bahrain - known as the
Land of the Two Seas lured people onto its shore in early 1950s.
The gorgeous archipelago of 33 small islands, was in its crude
stage in the trek of modernizing the nation under the wise
leadership of the ruler Late His Highness Shaikh Salman Bin
Hamad Al Khalifa (1921-1961) carried on by Late His Highness
Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa (1961-1999) and His Majesty
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the guidance of The Prime
Minister His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa &
Crown Prince Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The natives of
Bahrain - the Bahrainis, known for their hospitality , warmly
offered a comfortable stay, peaceful working atmosphere and
monetary benefits to all immigrants. The upsurge of oil prices
in early 70’s and the rising need of manpower in every field,
led to the arrival of many Keralites to this wonderful country,
many of whom still continue to be residents. The very air of
religious tolerance and social and cultural freedom enjoyed by
the expatriate communities speaks volumes of the generosity of
the Royal Family. We the members of KCA shall remain ever
grateful to the Country’s leadership and the people for
projecting Bahrain as a model country on the global front.
THE
SACRED HEART CHURCH in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain,
dates back to 1930s. The religious needs of the parishioners
were met by Italian priests. From 1970 the parish priests V.
Rev. Fr. Eugene Matioli, Rev. Fr. Adrian, Rev. Fr. Barth and
Rev. Fr.John served the Catholic Congregation till 1989.
Thereafter the catholics were privileged to have Indian priests
Rev. Fr. Marcel, Rev. Fr. Felicio Diniz, Rev. Fr. Edmond, Rev.
Fr. Lester, Rev. Fr. Oswin Fernandez. The vicar Rev. Fr. Felicio
Diniz along with Asst. vicars Rev. Fr. Antony Mathias, Rev. Fr.
Servatious, Rev. Fr. Vincent are continuing to enrich their
spiritual needs.
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Pre Era of KCA:
The Kerala Catholics who are baptized by St. Thomas, the apostle
of Lord Jesus stood firm in faith and carried on their attending
the holy mass on every Friday (being the week end) and Sunday at
The Sacred Heart Church. As many of them worked in different
places of Bahrain, after the mass, the Church premises
became the venue for socializing, a golden privilege of a
community to meet each other and know one another. Perhaps this
was the sprouting season for the formation of KCA. The idea to
find a common venue to meet at least on important occasion
stared at everyone in the face and a few envisaged it as an
opportunity also to celebrate our own festivals as well as socio
cultural activities. The cultural and spiritual vibes they
shared created a greater understanding and fruitful cooperation
in the pursuit of common purpose. Those few Keralites from the
whole Catholic community who conceived the idea of starting an
association were the pioneers and founder members of Kerala
Catholic Association back in 1970 .
The Founder members were :
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| Prof. P. S.
Abraham |
Mr. V. John
Cruz |
Mr. Francis
Joseph |
Mr. Antony
Payyappally |
| Puthenkalam |
Rose
House |
Rose
House |
Elenthikara |
| Kumarakom |
Trivandrum |
Trivandrum |
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History reveals that the founder members spent hours over the
idea before calling for a wide spread propaganda amongst the
Kerala Catholics in Bahrain.
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Formation of
KCA:
The Birth of KCA was in I970 and the formal Christening of KCA
was done with Late Mr.Govias as God father who helped in the
drafting of the Constitution and drawing out the byelaws . A
formal meeting was convened in one of the vacant Flats of M/s.
Aziz Mansoor Al Ali’s building by the side of the Police Fort
(popularly known amongst Malayalees as Devalokom). It was the
FIRST GENERAL BODY MEETING OF KCA and the constitution was
approved. To activate the newly formed Association, the General
Body elected the first Executive committee for a term of two
years. In fact the norm prevailed initially was that the General
body elects the President and Secretary and then they co-opt the
rest of 9 Executive Committee Members. The first Executive
Committee was decorated with founding members and veteran
members.
President -
Prof. P. S. Abraham, Puthenkalam
Vice President - Mr. T. V. Varghese, Thengummottil
General Secretary - Mr. V. John Cruz, Rose House
Joint Secretary - Mr. Antony Payyapally
Treasurer - Mr. P. V. Mathews Porothoor Kittan
Committee Members :-
Mr. Francis Joseph, Rose House
Mr. J. T. Govias, Elizabeth Villa
Mr. F. M. Francis
Mrs. Thresiamma Joseph Palackappillil
Ms. Thresiamma Mathai Adukanil
KCA continued to serve the community from the Sacred Heart Church.
Re-registration of KCA:
In 1991, when it has become obligatory to
re-register all Clubs and Associations with Ministry of Labor
and Social affairs, the General body held during the year
authorized the Executive committee to obtain the necessary
re-registration With the blessings from the church authorities,
KCA submitted the application for re-registration. The then
President Mr. Mathew Sebastian took the initiative to submit the
relevant documentation meticulously with the involvement of Mr.
Jose V. Kurisinkal, as desired by Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs. The approval by the Ministry of Labor and Social
affairs for KCA as a registered club, redefined its boundaries
and compelled to search for an office of its own and was
realized after one and a half years intense search.
| As memories
continue to smolder, we were all amazed at the way KCA was
revitalized and rejuvenated by the effort of a bunch of
extraordinarily committed and confident members led by Mr.
Francis Joseph. The effort was laborious but the idea
propelled by the strong central theme of “nurturing the
identity” rouse a conquering spirit amongst the Keralite
Catholics and many came forward with dedication and
conscientious commitment. |
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Mr.Francis
Joseph |
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KCA at New Premises:
The approval by the
Ministry of Labor and Social affairs for KCA as a registered
club, redefined its boundaries and compelled to search for an
office of its own and was realized after one and a half years
intense search. As memories continue to smolder, we were all
amazed at the way KCA was revitalized and rejuvenated by the
effort of a bunch of extraordinarily committed and confident
members led by Mr. Francis Joseph. The effort was laborious but
the idea propelled by the strong central theme of nurturing the
identity” rouse a conquering spirit amongst the Keralite
Catholics and many came forward with dedication and
conscientious commitment. Veterans like Mr. Francis Joseph
Rose House, Mr. Baby Joseph Kattady, Mr. Abraham John Chamathyil,
Mr. Sebastian Mappilassery, Mr. Sebastian Manjaly, Mr. Jose
Fernandez, Mr. T.S. Mathew, Mr. Tomy Xavier, Mr. Joy Thottakath,
Mr. Dhas Alphonse, took the initiative to opt the present villa
as the premises for KCA in Seggaya even with odds stacked
against them. Their enduring beliefs converted the challenges to
reality.
The
Executive Committee 1993-1995
A decade has passed since then and KCA has been taken to further
heights under the leadership of the following persons who served
as the President during the subsequent years.
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Mr. A. S. Jose Arangath |
Mr. P.P. Chackunny Parakkadan |
Mr. Abraham John Chamathayil |
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Mr. P. C. Abraham Puthenkalam |
Mr. Varghese Karakkal |
Mr. Mathew Joseph Vaachaparambil |
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Mr. R. K. Wilson |
Mr. Peter Paily |
Mr. Sevi Mathunny |
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Mr. Joy T.O |
Mr. Francis Joseph |
Mr. James John |
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Mr. Aruldas Thomas |
Mr. Augustine Peter |
Mr. Leo Joseph |
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Mr. Sam Francis |
Mr. Jose Kaitharath |
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