Mangaluru | July 20, 2025: Over 350 single Catholics from across the region gathered on Sunday, July 20, at St Joseph’s Engineering College, Vamanjoor, for the eagerly anticipated Meet and Greet Gala — an event crafted to foster meaningful interactions rooted in shared Catholic faith and values.
Jointly organized by the Family Life Service Centre Mangaluru, Missionary Families of Christ (MFC), and Catholic Connect Matrimony, the event aimed to create a secure, respectful, and spiritually grounded environment for Catholic youth to explore relationships and discern the vocation of marriage.
The day began with a warm welcome from emcees Malcolm and Shanthi Priya, who led the proceedings with energy, clarity, and grace. The morning featured an inspiring keynote by Mr. Arun Ajekar, the chief guest, who offered profound insights on Catholic marriage, the importance of commitment, and listening to God’s will in choosing a life partner. Rev. Fr. Alwyn Richard Dsouza, Director- Family Life Service Centre Mangaluru also addressed the gathering, sharing encouraging words and guiding participants on how to approach the day with openness and faith.
Attendees were invited to present their profiles and participate in structured interaction sessions designed to encourage conversation, consider compatibility, and foster mutual respect. The program also included moving testimonies from individuals who shared their personal journeys of discovering love through faith and trust in God’s timing.
To create a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, interactive games and activities were organized, helping participants connect in a natural, joyful manner. This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Very Rev. Msgr. Maxim Lawrence Noronha and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Alwyn Richard Dsouza, offering attendees a moment of deep spiritual reflection and grace.
A fellowship lunch allowed participants to continue their conversations in an informal setting, further strengthening community bonds and interpersonal engagement.
An informative segment of the event featured a presentation by Nishal Preetham Dsouza and Naveen Antony Dsouza, representing Catholic Connect. They introduced the CCBI initiative – Catholic Connect App and website (www.catholicconnect.in), highlighting its role in building a pan-India digital network for Catholics. The platform offers features for matrimony, community engagement, and access to spiritual resources. This session offered participants valuable insights into how faith and technology can come together to support meaningful connections.
The event concluded on a joyful note with surprise gifts distributed to all participants, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks from Rev. Fr. Alwyn Richard Dsouza. He expressed gratitude to the organizing teams, speakers, volunteers, and especially the enthusiastic participants whose presence and spirit made the event a resounding success.
The Meet and Greet Gala marked a significant step in empowering Catholic youth to build faith-filled relationships and strong community ties, reinforcing the belief that love, when rooted in faith, can truly flourish.
