MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Author: Stanislaus Baptista

  • Thanksgiving Day – December 2015

     

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    “Thanksgiving Day” was a very special day on Wednesday evening, 30th December 2015. Rev. Fr. Jagaraj SSS, superior of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers (HQ at “Eymard Cottage”, 22 Matharpacady Village) and his dedicated team, with the Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory, organised the well attended Prayer Service at the Cross Oratory before Infant Jesus, His Blessed Mother and St. Joseph in the humble Oratory Crib. Led by Rev. Fr. Jagaraj and his team and prayer leaders from our Village, people devoutly participated in praise and worship encompassing Thanksgiving, Contrition, Praise and Supplication to Our Almighty God the Father. Vincent Mascarenhas led the choir in songs of praise and worship. After the final benediction before the Holy Eucharist, families were blessed and wished much happiness and good health for the New Year 2016. Light refreshments were given to all they fraternised and exchanged New Year Greetings. The announcement of a Family Festive gathering on Sunday evening, 10th January 2016 at St. Isabel’s Shool ground, organised by the Managing Committee of the Residents’ Welfare Association, was accepted with glee.

    We thank Rev. Fr. Frank Fernandes, our Parish Priest at Rosary Church, Dockyard for always extending his wholehearted support to the Zonal coordinators (Zone 8), the Managing Committees of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association.

    The Managing Committees of the Holy Cross Oratory, Residents’ Welfare Association and the Zone Eight representatives express their heartfelt thanks to all our Families in Matharpacady Heritage Village and surroundings for making this a wonderful and memorable festive season. We wish you all God’s abundant blesssings during the year 2016 !

    With inputs from Tyronne Concescio and Photographs Courtesy Stanislaus Baptista

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  • Sleigh Bells Ring

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    The Christmas Tree celebrations for children and adults was held in the Village center on 26th December 2015. This was admirably organised by Captain Julius Valladares and his team mates, Canute Monteiro, Merwyn D’mello, pretty ladies, Shaila Dias, Avina D’Souza, Vera Monteiro and others. Laughter and shreaks of delight filled the evening air as the children enjoyed themselves in races for prizes, much dancing and fun events. As the excited children sang “Jingle Bells” running around helter-skelter looking for Santa, their eyes popped in amazement and delight as Santa Claus arrived from the outskirts in an open sleigh pulled by two life sized reindeer ! Kudos Julius for this innovative treat ! Santa regaled the children distributing sweets, singing and dancing with them, and finally giving each of them refreshments and christmas gifts. Santa made us all happy !

     

    With inputs from Tyronne Concescio and Photographs courtesy Andrew D’Sylva

     

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  • Christmas Preparations

    P1190987.JPGGalaxies of twinkling stars and festive decorations lit up the many bylanes and christmas trees in our charming Heritage Village. From Early December onwards Christian Aunties started traditional sweet making, X’mas food delicacies after the Uncles came home from the bazaar and market loaded with groceries for Christmas sweet orders and festive family menus. Folk drooled in hungry anticipation as tantalising odours wafted from kitchens mingling with the melodious charm of Christmas carols from homes and decorative lanterns over the streets. The humble scenic crib in the Holy Cross Oratory was the focus of the devotion and unity of our 65 Christian families, more than a dozen Goan & Mangalorean clubs (coors) and well wishers in Matharpacady Village and its surroundings.

    To help user in the spirit of Christmas, Carol Singing, led by Vincent Mascarenhas was conducted in and around Matharpacady Village on Monday, 21st December 2015 from 8.00 pm onwards.

    Most families attended “Midnight Holy Mass” at our Parish Rosary Church or at St. Annes. Christmas day was joyfully celebrated with families and kin sharing in a lip-smacking repast and visits to neighbours and friends. The evening was celebrated at house parties or dances at gymkhanas.

    Note : Inputs by Tyronne Concescio and Photographs courtesy Andrew D’Sylva and Stanislaus Baptista

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  • Family Get Together

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    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association is organising a Family Get Together for the residents and their families of Zone 8 on Sunday 10th January 2016 from 7.00 pm onwards. Well wishers from other zones of the Parish are also welcome. Donor Invitation passes are available with Ms Renie Baptista, Ms Charmaine Vongeyer, Mr Canute Monteiro, Mr Tyronne Concescio and Mr Stanislaus Baptista.

  • Carol Singing – Christmas 2015

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    Carol singing, led by Vincent Mascarenhas,  was conducted in and around Matharpacady Village on Monday, 21st December 2015 from 8.00 pm onwards. This helped usher in the spirit of Christmas. The Village bylanes were decorated with a colourful canopy of festive stars, Christmas Trees, bells, hearts, etc. with Infant Jesus, Mother Mary and St. Joseph in the humble crib at the Holy Cross Oratory.

    Photographs courtesy : Canute Monteiro

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  • Celebrating Diwali Nite

    Celebrating Diwali Nite

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    The Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association (ALM) celebrated “DIWALI NITE’ at St. Isabel’s High School at 7.30 pm on Sunday, 22nd November 2015 after the adoration services in the Parish – Rosary Church on the occasion of the Feast of Christ the King. The President – Percy D’Souza and Managing Committee Members warmly welcomed 120 invitees representing family members from Matharpacady Heritage Village and its surroundings. Festive lighting and a cool breeze made folk, ranging from toddlers to very senior citizens happily await an entertaining evening.

    Our Master of Ceremonies – Merwyn D’Mello and Julius Valladares, with DJ Royalson  Fernandes set the tempo with an introductory game of musical chairs for early comers. Merwyn then ensured that guests enthusiastically joined in the Grand March to the foot tapping Royalson music. He then organised four teams of enthusiastic participants to compete in a series of interesting and very amusing games, each team being awarded match winning points. Spectators vociferously egged on their favourites, cheering them on and congratulating them on their victory. At half time all our guests were given sumptuous snacks  and also invited to tuck in at a bhel-puri, pani-puri and medhu vadda counter.

    DJ Royalson, assisted by Canute Monteiro, with his scintillating sound and music really got the crowd grooving and the dance floor abuzz with children, youth and seniors happily dancing away their blues. They could fox trot, waltz, cha cha cha, rock-n-roll, jive, do the masala an even line dance. Royalson and Canute with their magical mix of music made for an enchanted evening of bliss, especially to many senior citizens as they ended the dancing session with nostalgic Goan romantic songs.

    In her Vote of Thanks, Mrs Rona Khade expressed the happiness of the Managing Committee on seeing all our guests enjoying themselves in the fun, games and dancing to their hearts content. Rhona thanked the Board of Management of St. Isabel’s High School, the Master of Ceremonies Merwyn and Julius, DJ Royalson and Canute, all the Association’s Committee Members and helpers who organised and made this event successful. Julius announced plans for a Christmas Tree Celebration for children on 26th December 2015. Tyronne hoped to organise a Thanksgiving Service near the Holy Cross Oratory at end December or early January with the assistance of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. The Zonal Family Get Together has been planned for Sunday, 10th January 2015. Enthusiastic guests welcomed the good news.

     

    With inputs from Tyronne Concescio

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  • Whist Drive

    Whist Drive

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    The second Whist Drive was organized by the Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association at St. Isabel’s High School on Wednesday, 19th August 2015.  This Whist Drive was held since all the participants were requesting that we organise this on a regular basis. As usual Mr Gerard Viegas organised this Whist Drive. Twenty Four participants and other guests were warmly greeted by the Mr. Gerard Viegas as they entered the decoratively lit hall.  Participants, four a table, were seated at numbered tables to enjoy this competitive card game.  The whist drive was in two sessions of six games each.  Gerard Viegas summarized the rules and regulations. Two umpires – Gerard Viegas and Gilroy Henriques – monitored the games   The Whist Drive started at 5.30 P.M. and ended at 7.30 P.M.   Light refreshments of hot chai and biscuits were served at the break in sessions.  Highest scorers were awarded generous cash prizes.  The delighted recipients – Dennis Baptista,  with 94 points was the first prize winner. The prize for the highest score in the first half for ladies was shared by Mrs Isabelle Fernandez and Ms Pearl Dodge with 44 points each and for gents by Richard Braganza with 47 points. The prize for the highest score in the second  half for ladies went to Mrs Dulcina Vaz with 48 points and for gents by Pradeep Naik with 44 points. The winners all received their gifts to much applause from the audience.

    The President, Percy D’Souza, thanked participants and guests for making this a happy nostalgic function. As announced earlier, the Association has planned the  forthcoming “FOOD FESTIVAL 2015” at St. Isabel’s on Sunday, 22nd November 2015 evening. Dennis extended an open invitation to the Associations Members and like minded folk to book table space in advance for their stall displaying  home cooked food and delicacies, which they could  sell at their own prices.  He was confident that the success of the previous two Food Festivals would attract a larger number of participants and food lovers to enjoy tasty snacks and food. The Welfare Association hopes to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

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  • Whist Drive Musings

    Whist Drive Musings

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    Yet another Monsoon event was organized by the Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association at St. Isabel’s High School on Sunday, 19th July 2015.  The Managing Committee delegated the responsibility of holding this inaugural WHIST DRIVE to Mr. Gerard Viegas. Forty participants and other guests were warmly greeted by the President Mr. Percy D’Souza as they entered the decoratively lit hall.  Participants, four a table, were seated at numbered tables to enjoy this competitive card game.  The whist drive was in two sessions of six games each.  Gerard Viegas summarized the rules and regulations. Two umpires – Stan Baptista and Gilroy Henriques – monitored the games   The Whist Drive started at 5.30 P.M. and ended at 7.30 P.M.   The DJ for this evening – Rodger Gonsalves – provided soothing nostalgic music throughout this event. Andrew D’Sylva captured these moments on camera for us. Light refreshments of hot chai and biscuits were served at the break in sessions.  Highest scorers were awarded generous cash prizes.  The delighted recipients – Mrs. Dulcine Vaz, with 90 points was the first prize winner as well as the winner with highest points in the second session with 51 points. The price for the highest score in the first half was shared by Ms Carmen Fernandes and Mr Joe Rebello with 46 points. They all received the gifts to much applause.

    The President, Percy D’Souza, thanked participants and guests for making this a happy nostalgic function, assuring them that their request for more Whist Drives would be kept in mind.  Vice President Dennis Baptista spoke of the Committee’s plans for the  forthcoming “FOOD FESTIVAL 2015” at St. Isabel’s on Sunday, 22nd November 2015 evening. Dennis extended an open invitation to the Associations Members and like minded folk to book table space in advance for their stall displaying  home cooked food and delicacies, which they could  sell at their own prices.  He was confident that the success of the previous two Food Festivals would attract a larger number of participants and food lovers to enjoy tasty snacks and food. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

    With inputs by Tyronne Concescio & Photographs – courtesy Andrew D’Sylva

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  • Whist Drive (Seven Hands)

    Whist Drive (Seven Hands)

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    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association is organising a Whist Drive (7 Hands) on Sunday, 19th July 2015 at 5.00 pm at St. Isabel’s High School, Mazagon.

    Due to space constraints, there are a limited amount of tables. Please therefore book early to avoid disappointment.

    For Invitations, kindly contact :

    Gerard Viegas          9819583081

    Hansel Baptista        9769718145

    Stanislaus Baptista  8452844351

    Canute Monteiro      9820333920

    Renie Baptista

  • Mumbai takes a bow as Goa-born violinist celebrates 100th birthday

    Jun 30 2015 : The Times of India (Mumbai)

    Mumbai : TNN

    Alphonso

    “Now tell me, do I look that old?“ asked Mauro Alphonso, grinning as he posed for photographs, his violin in tow. He certainly did not.

    As he laughed and chatted with family members on Monday evening, and recollected anecdotes from years ago, it was hard to believe the Mazgaon resident was celebrating his 100th birthday . The occasion marked not only a century of an adventure-filled life, but also several decades of old Bombay’s musical heritage, of which the garrulous gentleman had been a vital part.

    Alphonso was 12 years old when he left his home in Goa’s Taleigaon village and moved to Mumbai to pursue his love for music. Soon, he specialized in playing the violin.

    The early days of his career saw Alphonso playing with the Mehli Mehta Orchestra, and then leading several other orchestras in Bombay .During the 1940s, Alphonso was popular on the city’s music circuit. He performed with artistes like Dominic Pereira and Gopi Krishna, and was a familiar face at gigs hosted by venues like the Taj Mahal hotel, at Parsi weddings and even on All India Radio.

    At a special party on Sunday , the family plans to ensure the celebration does full justice to grandpa Alphonso, who ensured future generations didn’t fall out of tune. His three sons inherited his love for music and played at the Taj, when they were as young as 6, 9 and 12 years old respectively . Alphonso also formed the Alph Brothers group (it was later called Alph Tzigane Trio) with them. TNN

    Source : The Times of India, 30th June 2015, Page 3.