MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Author: Stanislaus Baptista

  • Matharpacady Village Cross Feast Novena – April 2017

    Matharpacady Village Cross Feast Novena – April 2017

     

    The Holy Cross Oratory is a Religious Landmark in the heart of Matharpacady Heritage Village in Mazagaon, Mumbai. A kind lady, late Mrs. Buthello, donated the land. Our ancestors donated generously to construct the Oratory, Their families gathered at the Oratory to pray and worship together. When Mumbai was ravaged by the scourge of the Great Plague in the 1896, our forefathers and their families assembled at the Holy Cross Oratory and prayed. They beseeched Jesus and Mother Mary to save them from this deadly pestilence that had led to the deaths of scores of people all over the city. Our forefathers most gratefully recorded that not a single life was lost to plague in Matharpacady Village as their fervent prayers to the Lord, His Blessed Mother and St. Roque – patron saint for pestilence, had protected and saved the lives of all resident families.

    Generations of families in Matharpacady Village, down the decades of time, have sustained and continued the traditions of praying and worshipping at the Cross Oratory. Traditionally, every year, the Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory organizes the nine days Novena Services which are held in the late evening from 22nd April to 30th April from 7.30 pm. The Cross Feast Mass is celebrated at 7.00 P.M. on 1st May, followed by Veneration and Kissing of the Relic of the True Cross at the Oratory. The helpful volunteers then serve boiled gram and light refreshments to the large gathering of around 350 people.

    We shall celebrate the 142nd Novena Services and Feast Day this year. The Novena Services will start at 8.00 P.M. on Saturday, 22nd April 2017. During the other days, the Novena will begin at 7.30 pm. The Feast Mass will be on Monday, 1st May 2017 at 7.00 P.M. Catholic resident families, their relatives settled in other parts of Mumbai, India and abroad, and well wishers are invited to attend the Feast Mass and festive celebrations. The Managing Committee will organize kissing of the Relic of the True Cross after Holy Mass, refreshments and an entertainment program.

    Your monetary donation may be sent in cash or cheque in the name of our Treasurer, Mr. Stanislaus Baptista or our President – Mrs. Carole Viegas, stating behind the cheque the purpose of the donation towards the 142nd Anniversary Celebrations. We cordially invite all of you to visit Matharpacady Village and participate in our 142nd Anniversary Feast Day Celebrations. Your generosity and participative prayers in sustaining the Catholic faith and devotion at the Holy Cross Oratory will surely be rewarded by showers of divine blessings from God.

    Tyronne Concescio           Stanislaus Baptista 
          SECRETARY                    TREASURER

  • Whist Drive – 28th March 2017

    Whist Drive – 28th March 2017

    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised the Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s hall after a gap of almost of six months. As usual, the Whist Drive on Tuesday evening, 28th March 2017 was  under the leadership of Gerard Viegas, and Stanislaus Baptista, Managing Committee Members. The supervisory role of a judge to ensure fair play was once again played by Gilroy Henriques. The  forty happy  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game in friendship and cheer, in two sessions of six card games each. Hot tea and piping hot snacks were served at the break. 

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Mrs. Renie Baptista,  with 94 points was the first prize winner with highest points in both sessions. The prize for the highest score in the first half was awarded to Mr. Stanislaus Baptista with  50 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was shared by Mr. Clifford Gore and Mr. Bernard Alphonso, again with 50 points each. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Mrs. Brenda Texeira  (64 points) and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. B D’Souza (66 points). All the winners received their gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Gerard Viegas, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School for the use of their premises.  Grateful thanks to our President, Mr. Percy D’Souza for giving all participants a momento. Ms. Charmaine Vongeyer requested all participants to attend the Zonal Stations of the Cross on Palm Sunday, 9th April 2017 at 4.45 pm. The participants thanked the Committee members for bringing them together at these functions before bidding “Good Night” and were looking forward to more such sessions.

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  • Cruise Ship Diaries – Eight

    Cruise Ship Diaries – Eight

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    The ninth group of around 70 visitors from Germany visited our Village on 4th March 2017. These tourists have been coming to Mumbai by Cruise Ships starting from  Dubai, then travelling to Mumbai, New Mangalore, Goa, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai. They had come by the Cruise Ship “Aida Aura”. Their stopover in Mumbai is mainly for one night or maximum two nights and one of their must visit places while in Mumbai is to our Heritage Village at Matharpacady. Besides a walk around our heritage precinct to explain the history of the various landmarks, the visitors are treated to snacks/brunch by Hansel Baptista at his residence.  Almost all the visitors are surprised that such a quaint, quiet little place exists in the heart of the city.

    Note : Photographs of visitors who visited our village on 4th March 2017.

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  • Family Get Together – Matharpacady Heritage Village

    Family Get Together – Matharpacady Heritage Village

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    Families gathered at the village center on Thursday evening, 23rd February 2017. Dennis Baptista, Vice President of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association ALM welcomed the resident families requesting them to participate joyfully in the short prayer and worship session followed by entertainment and refreshments. After an opening hymn, Canute led the people in prayer.  Then, each melodious hymn was followed by intercessory prayers by Prayer Leaders from different areas of the village.  A round of light refreshments was served. Ms. Vidhya asked Ignatius to conduct the first game of “Chinese Housie” which was a novelty to the audience.  In sequence Vidhya, Renie and Charmaine then conducted amusing games for small   children, parents, youth and even seniors – namely, bursting the balloons, the chillie in the bottle, hula hoop dancing, husbands being bottle fed by their spouses, and a final game of the traditional ‘housie’. The first, second and third placed winners of every game were awarded prize gifts. Groovy music by DJ Rodger and Canute set the mood and kept feet tapping during the games and at the dance session.  Managing Committee Members Charmaine, Stan, Canute, Renie, Judith, Joe, Gerry, Martin, Percy, Dennis  and others ensured that all the 85 family members present were served delicious snacks like samosas, pattice, wafers, cake and mixed fruit juice.  Helpers were also given the same.

    On behalf of all residents and families who were present, Tyronne gave a “Vote Of Thanks” expressing their heartfelt gratitude to the Managing Committee Members of the Welfare Association for organizing such a wonderful Family Get-Together completely free of cost.  He made special mention and thanked Percy D’Souza, President, for always being most generous in sponsoring gifts for prizes, refreshments, etc.  As Secretary of the Holy Cross Committee, Tyronne requested the village folk to participate devoutly in the ‘Way Of The Cross” Lenten Services that would be organized around the bylanes of Matharpacady Village and the Novena Services scheduled to begin on 22nd April and in the 142nd Feast Day Celebrations on 1st May 2017. On behalf of the Managing Committee, he bade all families a memorable goodnight.

    Compiled by Tyronnne Concescio.  Photographs courtesy Stanislaus Baptista  

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  • Our Mochi

    His father was the first  mochi in the village.

    He is one of our  icons. None other than Atmaram our lean and  talkative mochi ( hindi word for cobbler) We pass him by daily and he will always have a smile and a brief look at your footwear.

    How is it today. Does it require a stitch or two? Or is it so dull and requires a shine like the brilliant sunshine.

    He hails from a  family of traditional cobblers. He started in a big way, by stitching handmade shoes. …which were well made and quite well priced too!!

    His father continued with usual repairs and shoe shines, in a different location of the village adjacent to a big bungalow. Atmaram was given pride of place in a makeshift workplace under a staircase of a house, which serves has his ‘Operation Theatre’.

    Now you will wonder why? He loves to call the shoes he receives for repair as his ‘patients’.

    One of his immediate concerns is to ensure that “ Patient’s cha operation zala, thari, gari la , patnar “ ( The moment the patient’s surgery is done, he has to be sent home) so he says i.e He requires the finished shoes to be handed over, as he has limited place.

    I was stunned to see him one day at the nearby Dockyard Road Railway Station. He had changed to his civies (normal attire) unlike his work clothes, which is a loose fitting pyjama, and top.

    I enquired, after a brief struggle to recognize Atmaram in  his changed appearance “ Kai, Atmaram,  tumcha office sutli kai? Ani gari chalale? “   He then replied “ Ho,office sutli, pan, tumchi patient ajun gari nahi geli.” ( What Atmaram, you finished for the day? He replied” Yes, but your patient is still not gone home.”  In other words, ‘ you better ensure that you take your finished shoes home’.

    In today’s world, where there is a throwaway culture, Atmaram belongs to a slowly disappearing breed of cobblers, who still plays an important role in the village of Matharpacady. His place also serves as a meeting point for a little chat for some of the passersby.

    Matharpacady itself is one of   a few preserved villages of quaint bungalows in the heart of Múmbai,  struggling to retain its stature and resilience of old.  However Atamaram gives us a  message that come what may  we can still retain oúr ‘ identity’ in a fast changing world.

    These shoes were made for walking…….and when you need to look after them:

    Just contact Atmaram, and he has  a solution for all ailments that affect ‘ leather shoes’, laced with some humour if you have time for a chat.

     

    ( Interesting characters of Matharpacady village, with names changed….to showcase the traditions of more than 150 years old Heritage precinct…..now a tourist attraction , specially for the passengers of the Cruise liners)

    Courtesy : Vincent Mascarenhas

  • Cruise Ship Diaries – Seven

    Cruise Ship Diaries – Seven

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    The eight group of around 180 visitors from Germany visited our Village on 12th and 13th February 2017. These tourists have been coming to Mumbai by Cruise Ships starting from  Dubai, then travelling to Mumbai, New Mangalore, Goa, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai. They had come by the Cruise Ship “Aida Aura”. Their stopover in Mumbai is mainly for one night or maximum two nights. One of their must visit places while in Mumbai is to our Heritage Village at Matharpacady. Besides a walk around our heritage precinct to explain the history of the various landmarks, the visitors are treated to snacks/brunch by Hansel Baptista at his residence. Almost all the visitors are surprised that such a quaint, quiet little place exists in the heart of the city.

    Note : Photographs of visitors who visited our village on 13th February 2017.

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  • Cruise Ship Diaries – Six

    Cruise Ship Diaries – Six

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    We had the seventh group of around 100 visitors that had come to visit our village on Monday, 30th January 2017. Since November 2016, our quaint little village has been receiving visitors from Germany. This has been possible through Lotus Destinations Pvt. Ltd. who have arranged to get these visitors to our Heritage Village. These tourists have been coming to Mumbai by Cruise Ships starting from  Dubai, then travelling to Mumbai, New Mangalore, Goa, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai. They take around two days to reach Mumbai from Dubai and spend one/two nights at Mumbai before proceeding to New Mangalore. These cruises are typically of around 12 days duration. We received around 40 visitors who had come on Saturday 21st January 2017 by the Cruise Ship “Aida Aura”. They have another ship “Aida Stella” which does the Gulf run. Our very own Andrew Monteiro handles these cruise ships at Dubai. Their stopover in Mumbai is mainly for one night or maximum two nights and one of their must visit places while in Mumbai is to our Heritage Village at Matharpacady. Besides a walk around our heritage precinct to explain the history of the various landmarks, the visitors are treated to snacks/brunch by Hansel Baptista at his residence. Almost all the visitors are surprised that such a quaint, quiet little place exists in the heart of the city. With the Christmas decorations already up, the whole place looks very festive with Christmas Carols filling the air. We have heard that more Cruise Ships will be stopping by at Mumbai and at least two Cruise Ships will be expected every month.

    Note : Photographs of visitors who visited our village on 30th January 2017.

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  • Cruise Ship Diaries – Five

    Cruise Ship Diaries – Five

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    Since November 2016, our quaint little village has been receiving visitors from Germany. This has been possible through Lotus Destinations Pvt. Ltd. who have arranged to get these visitors to our Heritage Village. These tourists have been coming to Mumbai by Cruise Ships starting from  Dubai, then travelling to Mumbai, New Mangalore, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai. They take around two days to reach Mumbai from Dubai and spend one/two nights at Mumbai before proceeding to New Mangalore. This is the sixth group of visitors starting from 23rd November 2016, 5th December 2016, 19th December 2016, 20th December 2016 and 1st January 2017. These cruises are typically of around 12 days duration. We received around 40 visitors who had come on Saturday 21st January 2017 by the Cruise Ship “Aida Aura”. They have another ship “Aida Stella” which does the Gulf run. Our very own Andrew Monteiro handles these cruise ships at Dubai. Their stopover in Mumbai is mainly for one night or maximum two nights and one of their must visit places while in Mumbai is to our Heritage Village at Matharpacady. Besides a walk around our heritage precinct to explain the history of the various landmarks, the visitors are treated to snacks/brunch by Hansel Baptista at his residence. Almost all the visitors are surprised that such a quaint, quiet little place exists in the heart of the city. With the Christmas decorations already up, the whole place looks very festive with Christmas Carols filling the air. We have heard that more Cruise Ships will be stopping by at Mumbai and at least two Cruise Ships will be expected every month.

    Note : Photographs of visitors who visited our village on 21st January 2017.

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  • Christmas Festivities – Christmas Tree – Part Two

    Christmas Festivities – Christmas Tree – Part Two

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    The Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Residents’ Welfare Association ALM worked in unison to decorate the many by lanes of Matharpacady Village with illuminative decorative symbols of stars, Christmas trees, hearts, hexagonal and triangular shaped illustrative lanterns fitted with mini loudspeakers. Our youth creatively put up the Crib in the Holy Cross Oratory, which was flanked just outside by a decorated live towering Christmas tree. Resident families spruced up their homes with fresh coats of paint, buntings, frenzied shopping, Church choir and other activity practices. Tantalising aromas of traditional food, baked goodies and delicacies wafted the air, making mouths drool in lip-smacking anticipation of festive visits to various aunties homes.

    Children in droves flocked to the Christmas Tree Celebrations organised by Julius Valladares, Canute & Vera Monteiro and Avina D’Souza on Friday, 30th December 2016 in the village center. Tiny tots, kiddies and youth took part in innovative games and races shrieking in mirth and joy, cheered on by their doting parents and friends. Santa Claus arrived in his colourful sleigh drawn by Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, amidst much merriment and singing, to gift prizes and goodies to all the participating children. This was an enchanted evening for all children and residents.

    Families in Matharpacady pray and hope for a happy and peaceful year ahead for all their near and dear ones, the Parish Community, the Universal Church and India, our Motherland.

    Compiled by Tyronne Concescio. Photographs courtesy – Stan Baptista

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  • Christmas Festivities – Christmas Tree – Part One

    Christmas Festivities – Christmas Tree – Part One

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    The Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Residents’ Welfare Association ALM worked in unison to decorate the many by lanes of Matharpacady Village with illuminative decorative symbols of stars, Christmas trees, hearts, hexagonal and triangular shaped illustrative lanterns fitted with mini loudspeakers. Our youth creatively put up the Crib in the Holy Cross Oratory, which was flanked just outside by a decorated live towering Christmas tree. Resident families spruced up their homes with fresh coats of paint, buntings, frenzied shopping, Church choir and other activity practices. Tantalising aromas of traditional food, baked goodies and delicacies wafted the air, making mouths drool in lip-smacking anticipation of festive visits to various aunties homes.

    Children in droves flocked to the Christmas Tree Celebrations organised by Julius Valladares, Canute & Vera Monteiro and Avina D’Souza on Friday, 30th December 2016 in the village center. Tiny tots, kiddies and youth took part in innovative games and races shrieking in mirth and joy, cheered on by their doting parents and friends. Santa Claus arrived in his colourful sleigh drawn by Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, amidst much merriment and singing, to gift prizes and goodies to all the participating children. This was an enchanted evening for all children and residents.

    Families in Matharpacady pray and hope for a happy and peaceful year ahead for all their near and dear ones, the Parish Community, the Universal Church and India, our Motherland.

    Compiled by Tyronne Concescio. Photographs courtesy – Stan Baptista

    Note: More photographs of the Christmas Tree in Part Two

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