MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Author: Stanislaus Baptista

  • Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai

    Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai

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    On Monday, 8th June 2015 around 35 persons from TOGA, The Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai visited our village at around 8.30 am. They were welcomed by the committee members of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association and the Holy Cross Oratory. Julius Valladares and Hansel Baptista took them around the village precinct and explained the history of the various landmarks in the area alongwith the other committee members. They were taken aback on being welcomed warmly by our residents and appreciated the cleanliness and maintenance being done to preserve our area. In fact, many of them mentioned that our village scores higher points on quite a few aspects with respect to Khotachiwadi. After the tour round the village – significance of the Holy Cross Oratory, the village well, the numerous well maintained bungalows as well as a visit to the Club of Paroda – they were treated to some light snacks and cold drinks at the residence of Hansel Baptista. A short video was screened for them highlighting the various cottages and areas of the village. A small memento presented to each and every member on behalf of the village was greatly appreciated by them.

    We given below a couple of messages received from some of them after their visit :

    Dear Mr.D`Souza,

    TOGA, the Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai, are extremely happy at the welcome and hospitality the residents of Matharpacady laid out for us today.

    The love and pride you have for your heritage  and the unity, bonhomie and affection between the residents will be etched in our memory forever.

    We will forward your information to tour operators to make your village famous. And we will send you all the contacts essential for the preservation of your village for your next generation.

    We thank you for your heartful hospitality.

    Thanking you,

    Yours sincerely,
    For TOGA
    Jerroo Bharrucha
    President    ”

    Mr Manas A – The pleasure was all ours. We had a great time & were touched with your hospitality. We will certainly ……

    Mr Arun S – The whole group really enjoyed your talk and appreciated the effort of the community in making our trip a wonderful experience – Thanks once again for the effort.

    Photographs : Courtesy Andrew D’Sylva

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  • MRWA Monsoon Dhamal

    MRWA Monsoon Dhamal

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    A  hundred Matharpacady village folk and friends celebrated this apt Monsoon event at St. Isabel’s School grounds from 5.00 P.M. on Sunday, 7th June 2015. The Managing Committee of our Welfare Association organized the Tele-Games and Dinner for resident member families. Our genial Master of Ceremonies, Merwyn D’Mello, assisted by Canute Monteiro, Prince Pulikal and others admirably compered the four competing teams of 14 persons each, ranging from small children to active adults. Colored ribbon wrist bands in red, yellow, blue and green distinguished the team who each appointed their Captain.  Teams assembled before the center stage and the ebullient Merwyn who spoke of the rules and point system awards to be chalked up against each teams in a series of eight games. Judges mentored and monitored each team for fair play.  As Merwyn welcomed the teams and well wishers seated around, the  heavens opened with showers of blessings raining down upon the happy contestants, inaugurating Monsoon Dhamal with a bang. Canute’s friend Mr. Royalson Fernandes – [DJ Roy] set the tone and tempo abuzz with throbbing music to spur the first game on whilst spectators cheered their respective teams on to victory.  Mid-way, two team games were held indoors in the hall, so that members got a respite from rains and all spectators could enjoy themselves.  Light refreshments were served to all, with the best compliments of  St. Isabel’s Management. Then, as rival teams chalked up victories and upsets in leadership points, competition became intense with supporters egging them on thus adding to the thrill, fun and merriment.  After eight tele-games the winning team [Yellow Rangers – Yellow ribbon] stood first, followed by the Spartans [Blue ribbon), Green ribbon and finally  Red ribbon.  Merwyn announced that all the contestants had won by right of sportsmanship and announced Prizes for each team who received them from Committee Members to hearty congratulations and rounds of applause.  Kudos to Merwyn and Canute for doing such a wonderful job.  DJ Roy kept the floor alive with a session of excellent music – jive, masala, fox trot, cha-cha-cha, waltz, which both the youth and adults took to the floor and thoroughly enjoyed themselves dancing in the steady rains. The panel of judges awarded a special prize to Mrs. Lavina Cardoso as the Best Dancer to her great surprise and happiness, with rounds of applause.

    Before the Vote of Thanks, Merwyn invited Gerry Viegas to address those assembled.  Gerry  gave them a gist of the planned Whist Drive to be organized at St. Isabel’s on Sunday, 19th July 2015 from 5.00 P.M. onwards.  On behalf of the Committee, he extended an invitation to them and their relatives and friends to participate in this event, stating that notices would be displayed shortly and invitations at nominal cost would be prepared.  He hoped for a favourable response to this Monsoon indoor event in the school hall.

    Thereafter, Prince – our Chief Organiser of the Tele-Games Function – gave the Vote of Thanks to the Managing Committee, Organisers, Merwyn D’Mello, Canute and Mr. Royalson  our DJ, as well as everyone who came, contested and enjoyed themselves  thus making Monsoon Dhammal a grand success.

    Merwyn asked the gathering to rise and join Martin in invoking the Lord’s blessings before partaking of the tasty  buffet dinner.   The Managing Committee provided a satisfying dinner to the guests, who expressed their happiness and expectations that the Association would organize many such events during the year.

    (With Inputs from Tyronne Concescio & Photographs – courtesy Andrew D’Sylva)

     

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  • Telegames – 7th June 2015 – Matharpacady Village

    Telegames – 7th June 2015 – Matharpacady Village

    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association is organising the “Matharpacady Monsoon Dhamal” on Sunday, 7th June 2015 from 4.00 pm onwards at the St. Isabel’s High School grounds. Invitation passes are available with Canute, Stanley, Prince, Merwyn, Benny & Frumie. It will be an evening of fun & frolic with Telegames being organised, in addition to a Treasure Hunt, and Dancing besides some snacks & dinner. Food coupons are being sold seperately. Get hold of your invitations at the earliest as there are a limited number available for taking part in the various teams for the telegames. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

  • 140th Anniversary Cross Feast Celebrations

    140th Anniversary Cross Feast Celebrations

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    Preparatory Novena Services at the Holy Cross Oratory in Matharpacady Heritage Precinct commenced on Tuesday, 22nd April 2015.  Managing Committee Member Mr. Hansel Baptista appointed daily Prayer Leaders from all areas of the village and ably organized the services, which were attended by about 100 persons.  Traditional distribution of boiled gram was done by Mrs. Muriel Baptista.  Captain Julius Valladares and his team of youth made lip smacking sev-puri, ragda puri and medhu vadas on separate Novena days that the faithful relished.  High points of the Novena on penultimate days, organized by Hansel, was a Pentitential Service with Confessions heard by Rev. Father Dhanam at “Eymard Cottage”, the Blessed Sacrament Headquarters on 29th April 2015, and, a Holy Half-Hour Silent Adoration Service on 30th April 2015, which was well attended. We are grateful to Rev. Father Frank Fernandes, Parish Priest, Rosary Church, for his kind permission to our Managing Committee.

    Catholic resident families with their relatives, guests and well wishers gathered in large numbers in the heart of Matharpacady Heritage Village for the landmark religious and festive celebrations on Friday evening, 1st May 2015.   His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues, the Rector of St. Pius X College at Goregaon, with concelebrant Rev. Father  Dhanam   were escorted in a solemn procession from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at ‘Eymard Cottage’ to the newly renovated  Holy Cross Oratory.   His Grace Bishop John Rodrigues was welcomed  by the assembly of over 350 devout people and the chiming of the Oratory bell.   Intoning solemn prayers whilst incensing the original heritage Holy Cross and Oratory, His Lordship invoked God’s abundant blessings on the residents and families, before blessing  a commemorative brass plaque installed in front of the  Oratory.  He then proceeded to the raised beautifully decorated center-stage to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice along with Rev. Father Dhanam of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers.  In an inspiring homily, His Grace Bishop John fondly recollected his boyhood days spent along with his brothers Luke and Savio at the home of their Uncle Wency and Aunty Rose D’Mello, Their bungalow was adjacent to the Cross Oratory.  Throughout his homily Bishop John emphasized that God the Father and Jesus ask nothing at all from us despite all our human failings.  We should keep our hearts and minds always open to receive their boundless love and divine gifts, personified in the outstretched arms of Jesus on the Cross.  He hoped we would continue in good faith our religious traditions of honoring the Holy Cross down the decades, as the Cross of Christ is the sole means of protecting us from harm and evil.  The zestful  choir, well  trained by Austin Alphonso, gladdened the hearts of the faithful as they led in glorious song and praise to the Lord.  Hansel Baptista and Vincent Mascarenhas did a commendable job with the Mass liturgy, the choir, and after the Final Blessing with the Relic of the True Cross,  the veneration of the Relic at the Oratory.  Volunteers disbursed a box of tasty refreshments to every person who attended the Feast Mass.

    The Managing Committee organized an entertainment program for His Grace Bishop John Rodrigues,  Rev. Father Dhanam, our main benefactors for the renovated Oratory – Brendon and Therese Pereira, other guests and the large audience.  Little children, the youth and even adults staged good performances with songs and dance, to the constant applause of an appreciative audience.   Thereafter, games of ‘housie’ kept  people happy with their fingers crossed  for Dame Fortune to smile and reward them.   During the entertainment and ‘housie’, mango juice was served freely to one and all to quench their thirst and clamour for more fun filled events by the Managing Committees of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association.

    The Managing Committee wishes to thank all the donors and benefactors who so generously contributed towards defraying the expenses for the renovation of the Oratory as well as the expenses towards the Novena and Feast Day celebrations.

    Photographs – Courtesy Andrew D’Sylva

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  • Cross Novena – April 2015

    Cross Novena – April 2015

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    The Novena Services at the Matharpacady Village Cross started on 22nd April 2015. The novena services begin daily at 7.30 pm and are well attended by the residents. We shall celebrate the 140 Anniversary of our Holy Cross Oratory on Friday, 1st May 2015 with celebration of the Holy Eucharist by His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues at 7.00 pm. 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. His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues will also bless the newly renovated Oratory after the Eucharist.

    These are some photographs of the ongoing Novena at the Village Cross.

    Photographs Courtesy – Andrew D’Sylva

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  • 140th Anniversary Celebrations

    140th Anniversary Celebrations

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    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.  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 300 people.  An entertainment program follows with skits, song and dance.
    We shall celebrate the 140th Novena Services and Feast Day this year.  The Novena Services will start at 7.30 P.M.  on Wednesday, 22nd April 2015 to Thursday, 30th April 2015. On Friday, 1st May 2015 at 7.00 P.M., His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues, Rector of St. Pius College, Goregaon,  will celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice.  Our Parish Priest – Rev. Father Frank Fernandes and his Assistants are invited to concelebrate. The Provincial of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, Rev. Fr. Jegaraj [based at Eymard Cottage, 22 Matharpacady Village] and his Assistants are also invited to concelebrate.  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.

    We are posting our humble and earnest appeal to you on our website www.Matharpacadyvillage.com to assist our Managing Committee by donating generously towards the major repairs and renovation of the Holy Cross Oratory prior to the 140th Anniversary Celebrations on 1st May 2015.  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 140th Anniversary Celebrations.   We cordially invite all of you to visit Matharpacady Village and participate in our 140th 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

     Note : Some photographs of last years Cross Feast celebrations have also been uploaded

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  • Visitors from USA visit Matharpacady Village

    Visitors from USA visit Matharpacady Village

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    Around 20 tourists from both east and west coasts of USA visited our Village on Saturday, 28th February 2015 at around 11.00 am. They were taken around the village by Hansel Baptista. A brief talk alongwith a walk around the village was conducted by Hansel. The significance of our Holy Cross Oratory was explained to the group who were impressed the way things are being maintained in the area. They were also surprised during their visit to the village well on seeing large fish jumping around. After their long walk around the village while soaking in the history of the area, they headed to the residence of Hansel Baptista to a traditional East Indian Lunch. This comprised of Pork Vindaloo, Chicken Khudhi, Meat Cutlets, French Bean Fugad, Bombay Ducks and Brinjals fried in bottle masala, Rice Chapattis, Rice Polas as well as steamed rice. This was followed by “thali” sweet after their meals.

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  • Dev Plan proposes fund to maintain city’s heritage buildings – Mumbai Mirror – 25 Feb 2015

    Dev Plan proposes fund to maintain city’s heritage buildings – Mumbai Mirror – 25 Feb 2015

    DEV PLAN PROPOSES FUND TO MAINTAIN CITY’S HERITAGE BUILDINGS

    Mumbai Mirror | Feb 25, 2015, 12.00 AM IST

    Heritage

    Mumbai Mirror Bureau
    The onus of conservation will no longer be on tenants in the new plan, but activists are unconvinced that the plan will work.

    The new Development Plan 2014-2034 seeks to create a fund to provide monetary support for the upkeep of private heritage buildings in the city. This monetary pool will be at the disposal of the municipal commissioner, who will be required to consult with the city Heritage Conservation Committee before allocating the funds to conservation projects.

    According to the Special Development Control Regulations 2034 in the plan, the money for this kitty will be drawn from the district planning and development council budget.

    As things stand, the upkeep of non-cessed buildings – where occupants do not contribute to a repair fund – categorised as heritage structures is the responsibility of its occupants. If the structure is categorised as acessed building, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority or the tenants see to its upkeep.

    Heritage conservation activists aren’t entirely convinced the plan will work. “There is no clarity on the repair fund: What will the quantum be and how will it be disbursed? We have been demanding for a long time that financial incentives be provided to owners of heritage structures so that they have some benefit of continuing in the heritage structure instead of going for redevelopment,” said urban planner Pankaj Joshi.

    The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee had in 2013 written to the state government’s urban development department, making it clear that unless an incentive-based policy was brought in, it would be an onerous task to save Mumbai’s architectural heirlooms.

    The MHCC had suggested that the state government fashion a new policy that includes provisions for repairs and maintenance as owners of heritage buildings find it difficult to see to the upkeep of these buildings. The committee, in its proposal to the government, said the preservation of heritage was the collective responsibility of the city. “It is strongly felt that heritage conservation is not getting due consideration from the owners of heritage properties because of the reliance on a regulatory mechanism rather than incentives,” the MHCC had contended.

  • Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association – Family Get Together

    Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association – Family Get Together

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    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised a Family Get Together for all the resident families of our village on Saturday, 7th February ’15 at the St. Isabel’s High School, Welfare Centre. Around 90 residents attended this function. Mr Merwyn D’Mello and Mr Julius Valladares compered this function. The residents were treated to some entertaining group games as well as dancing. Mr Martin Cardozo welcome the residents with an opening prayer while Mrs Tessie Pereira led the gathering for the “Grace Before Meal”. Besides some mouth watering snacks served at the begining of the function, there was a well laid out buffet dinner for all. Dr. G Mascarenhas proposed a vote of thanks. The President, Mr Percy D’Souza also thanked the residents for responding in such large numbers and hoped that we all continue to be united  as one large community.

    Photographs : Courtesy Mr Andrew D’Sylva

     

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  • Christians For Peace Solidarity Rally – 9th February

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    The Bombay Catholic Sabha and Indian Christian Voice alongwith other Christian groups organised a Christians for Peace Solidarity Rally at Azad Maidan earlier today afternoon. There was a large gathering of people, both old and young as well as priests, religious. Bishop Agnelo Gracias also attended the rally and addressed the huge gathering. The list of speakers who came out strongly against these attacks included, Pastor Sunil (Assembly of God), Rev. Fr. Dr. Fraser Mascarenhas (Principal St. Xaviers College), Maulana Zahir Abbas Rizvi, Fr Simon Lopes (Principal St. Josephs Vikhroli), Admiral Vishnu Bhagat (Retd.), Ms. Janet D’Souza, Dr. Abraham Mathai, Maulana Musafir, Mr Gordon D’Souza, Mr Ashish Shinde, Bro. Jeetu, Mr Thomas Nunes (Vasai Catholic Sabha) & Mr Noel Salvi. Besides the above mentioned speakers, Fr. Donald Rodriques and His team as well as the Students of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work put up skits. The rally was ably compered by Ms Rita and Mr Richard alongwith Mr Stanley.

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