The Bombay Catholic Sabha

The Bombay Catholic Sabha was formed on January 20, 1989 under the patronage of the then Archbishop of Bombay, Simon Cardinal Pimenta. The present Patron of the Sabha is Ivan Cardinal Dias, the Archbishop of Bombay. The organization is registered with the Charity Commissioner under the Mumbai Public Trust Act 1950 and represents the interest of the Catholic community in particular, and Christians in general.

The thrust areas of the Sabha are:
• Socio Economic
• Political
• Civic
• Health
• Education
• Cultural/Sports

The Sabha runs a number of outreach services that include:
Race Employment Centre; Marriage Alliance Bureau; Senior Citizens’ I.D. Cards Desk; Project Bloodline

We have over 38,000 individuals enrolled as Life Members of the Sabha. The Patron of the Sabha, Ivan Cardinal Dias has urged very Catholic who has attained the age of 18 years in the Archdiocese of Bombay to enroll as a member of the Sabha.

Besides, the Sabha also encourages individuals, irrespective of caste or creed, to register as benefactors, who act as a financial backbone of the Sabha.

The Sabha derives its overall strength from its Parish Units. The Parish units of the Bombay Catholic Sabha are indeed the flag bearers for the organization.

In conclusion, we quote an extract from the BCS Anthem:
“With the Sabha you have a voice
In the Sabha you have a choice
The BCS sets the pact
To make this world a better place”

The Vision Statement of the Sabha is:
“Striving to create a caring Society based on Christian values, through collaboration and networking”.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha - St. Peter's Parish Unit

Membership of the Parish: 787
Spiritual Adviser: Fr Lawrie Ferrao
Meeting day of the Unit: First Sunday every month at 7:00 p.m. (in the Church Parlour)

Mr Faust Gonsalves	Chairperson	26429347 / 26408829
Mr Danny Pereira	Vice Chairperson	26408711
Mr Frances Azavedo	Vice Chairperson	56960187
Mr Rui Silveira	Hon. Secretary	26429267
Mr Prakash Pinto	Treasurer	26424443
Miss Beryl D’Monte	Committee Member	26427542 / 9869087624
Mr Hadrian Ferreira	Committee Member	26403681
Miss Elfrida Menezes	Committee Member	22662873

Activities during the year 2005 - 2006

• The membership of the unit stood at 783 (previous year). Eight new members were added during the year, out of which, four are from other parishes.

• The sale of Christmas cards & Informative Services Directory during the year amounted to Rs 3,325/-.

• A Free Eye Camp for the parishioners was held on 20th November, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Approximately 120 persons had attended. Dr Ryan D'Souza - Eye Specialist and a team of Optometrists from Agnelo Opticians had conducted the same.

• A Financial Workshop for tax and planning of investments was held on 26th March, 2006. Twenty eight persons had attended.