Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society celebrated the Pongal Festival and the inaugural Ceremony of the Renovated Kolping Women’s Hostel at K. Pudur on 20.01.2025at 11:45 am. The Renovated Hostel was Blessed and opened by the Bishop of Palayamkottai and theApostolic Administrator for the Archdiocese of Madurai, Most Rev. Antonysamy Savarimuthu in the presence of Rev. Dr. Maria Soosai the National Director of Kolping India Chennai.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel, the Secretary and the Treasurer of MMSSS gave a warm welcome to all the members invited and gave a brief introduction about the program, the life History of the Blessed Adolf Kolping, the purpose of the Women’s Hostel, and the need for Renovation of the same. During the time of COVID-19, many of the inmates staying in the Hostel moved to their homes, and the Hostel remained closed for three years in an uninhibited condition, which directed to the renovation with additional financial support from Kolping India.
Rev. Fr. John Kennedy, former Secretary and Treasurer of MMSSS shared his insights on the purpose behind the establishment of this Hostel for Working Women and Students preparing for the competitive Exams coming from the remote Villages to Madurai for a safe stay at an affordable charge. He expressed his wish that again this hostel should serve the purpose completely for the benefit of the deserving working women and the students. Rev. Dr. Maria Soosai, the National Director of Kolping India, in his special address extended his appreciation and best wishes to Fr. G. Gabriel, who took the initiative to renovate the hostel for the welfare of women and for the sustainability of the Kolping Programs in Madurai Kolping Region.
Mrs. Lydia, a member of the Valanar Kolping Group from Gnanaolivupuran, shared her thoughts on the theme “Hopes and Expectations” of the Kolping Members andMrs. Eswari, a staff member, added value to the event by singing an awareness song. As a token of appreciation Mr. Kelvin Herold Milton, the Engineer was felicitated for the timely completion and quality of the Construction of the building.
The Bishop of Palayamkottai and Apostolic Administrator of Madurai extended his blessings to all the gathering by acknowledging the challenges currently we are facing in the Society and praised the efforts of the Secretary for taking up the steps to renovate the Hostel despite overcoming many difficulties. He highlighted that “We cannot remain passive due to the circumstances that guiding and safeguarding women’s empowerment is a great service to Society, to which we must commit ourselves”.
Rev. Fr. Rajan the Assistant Secretary of MMSSS delivered the vote of thanks by expressing sincere gratitude to the National Director of Kolping India for realizing the ground reality of the building and the financial assistance to Renovate the Hostel. The collective thoughts and insights shared during this occasion highlighted the significance of preserving and utilizing this facility efficiently for the designated purpose in the future.
