By Fr Stephen Belman Capuchin

A free vaccination camp was organized, on Wednesday, 15 September, 2021 at Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, Jail road Bejai, Mangalore, with the collaboration of Mangalore City Corporation health centre, Lions Club Bejai and St Anne’s Capuchin Fathers.

The camp began at 9 am with the prayer session during which Mr Sylvian Dsilva, Lions club member sang a hymn and thereafter the dignitaries lit the lamp. Prithi Maria Dsouza, member of Lions club Bejai was the MC for the event. The guests present on the dias were Fr Paul Melwyn Dsouza, Superior of St Anne’s Capuchin Friary Mangalore, Mr Sudhir Shetty Kannur, Corporator MCC, Mr Vijay Shetty, Lions Club Zone Chairperson, Mr Oswald Furtado, Mr Richard Dsouza President of Lions Club Bejai and Lions Club Bejai Treasurer.

Mr Sudhir Shetty, Cooperator of MCC said, Covid -19 has troubled our daily life. Vaccination is the only way to get away from Corona. He appreciated the Capuchin fathers for their initiative of helping the people to get vaccinated. He also thanked Sri Vedavyas Kamath, Honourable MLA and MCC for providing vaccination.

Fr Paul Melwyn Dsouza, superior of St Anne’s Capuchin Friary said, Jesus was a great healer. He understood the troubles of people and healed their sicknesses. Vaccination is the greatest need of the time to get away from corona. He thanked the people for responding to the call and coming forward to take the vaccination. He also thanked Sri Vedavyas Kamath, Honorable MLA, Mr Sudhir Shetty, Mr Richard Dsouza, members of Lions Club and all others who were responsible for the event. He also requested the people to wait patiently and receive the vaccination, without troubling the health department who are administering the vaccination.

Mr Richard the President of Lions Club Bejai said, Corona is the greatest trouble of the present time. We need to take initiative to get rid of the Corona pandemic by cooperating with health authorities and by getting vaccinated.

Around 800 people benefitted from the free vaccination camp. Fr Richard Quadras, Fr Lancy Rebello, Fr Prem Dsouza, other Capuchin Fathers of St Anne’s friary, Divine Mercy core committee, Lion’s Club members, Assisi House Boys and some volunteers of MCC Health centre extended their helping hand in making this free vaccination camp a successful one.