MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Category: Featured

  • Yesterday Once More….

    Yesterday Once More….

    (A guide to the Guides.  And!!!!!!!  We’ve got a Nostalgia Quizzz this Saturday, June 27, 2020.  All the clues are hidden here)

    I once heard it said that a building represents a “store of energy”.  In my view when we tear it down for “redevelopment” it’s not just physics that stands negated. It’s the expectations, desires and spiritual energies that get consigned to the graveyard of hope.  In the Village some lovely houses have gone…  But here, for your pleasure, it’s “yesterday once more”:

              

    Antonio Restless?

    This was once the prettiest house in the Village.  Antonio Rest.  No more. Torn down to make way for a modern monstrosity. In this house late Audrey Concescio would create the loveliest decorated marzipan eggs for Easter. She and her late sister, Dilys Remedios would prepare baskets of delicate flowers to decorate the streets for the Cross Feast. In yesteryear pink bougainvillea covered its roof and asparagus fern trailed along one side of the entrance.  Pretty as a picture, as they say. Here’s an interview of one of its last residents, the late Tyronne Concescio done by Vincent Mascarenhas:

    https://viewvin.net/2017/09/15/down-memory-lane-with-tyronne/comment-page-1/

              

    Militia and the Second World War

    Where this building stands, once stood a sprawling bungalow, Militia House whose verandah was bigger than most people’s sitting rooms.  In those days, “militia” symbolized the boys who were fighting against Hitler, Nazis and fascism. The property housed the Militia Club which included a full-sized badminton clay court. A place where matches were made and hearts were won.

               

    Mazagon Pier

    Matharpacady Village’s most popular evening attraction.  It was an easy stroll even for elderly members from the Village down Ganga Bawdi, past Ciba’s across the road past the Church through the bazaar and straight to the Pier. No steep hill to climb. The added attraction especially for the ladies, were the handsome cadets that the motor launch from the M.V. Dufferin landed.  T.S. Rajendra later replaced the Dufferin.  Mazagon Pier has now been swallowed up by Mazagon Dock.

               

    The Age of the Beatles and Beat Groups

    Once upon a time the ground floor of Marian Villa was packed with teenagers, friends of the Stevens’ children.  It was the age of the Beatles, and here, duly inspired, the Caravelles, Matharpacady’s own beat group was born:  late Ozzie Stevens (piano), late Alan Valentine (lead guitar), Stanley Francis (Australia), Desmond Rego (London), Stuart Do Remedios (guitar, USA) and Bonnie (Drums). 

    Matharpacady may be a small village but some residents have played on the national stage. The landlord of Marian Villa was one of them: Dr Mafaldo Ubaldo Mascarenhas.

    In fact, Dr. Mascarenhas Road bounding Matharpacady on one side, was named after him. He was the 19th Mayor and the first Indian Mayor of free Bombay (1948-49. Mayoral inaugration was held on November 22, 1948).

              

         Dr Ubaldo Mascarenhas with Pandit Nehru

    Dr. Gerald Mascarehnas and Dr. Allwyn Mascarenhas (Dr. Ubaldo’s grand nephews) continue to serve the sick and ailing in Byculla and Mazagon while Vincent Mascarenhas is the current President of our Matharpacady Holy Cross Committee. 

    It is said that Dr. Ubaldo was an Indian Freedom Fighter and fought for the return of Goa from Portugal. He was therefore blacklisted by the Portuguese government and his landed properties were confiscated.

    It’s rare to find people like him these days where all netas have an agenda.

           

    The Cottage before “Village Villa”

    The D’Mellos treated all their neighbours as family. Aunty Louie cooked the most delectable salt tongue, pan rolls and potato chops as well as an assortment of Christmas sweets and goodies. Neighbours got to taste, invited or not!  No limit to generosity here. 

    Uncle Wency would pick a lucky boy to accompany him to the Port Trust office in the docks, from where the lad got a much-prized view of the ships in the docks.  The mission was to pick up ship’s flags for the Cross Feast Vespers.  These decorations were suspended along house walls, starting from the Cross, on both sides, all the way up to Maud Baptista’s house. Seen above are old style tiles in partial exterior views of the Village’s oldest cottage. 

               

    Winifred House – gone with the wind

    Theo Turner’s legacy and named after Winifred (Winnie), his eldest child.  The Matharpacady Club was where people from Mazagon and Byculla as well as all over Mumbai got together:  Billiards, Snookers, cards, a Christmas Tree and Sunday Housie. Every worthy Billiards great has played on its table. The Sunday Housie was more of a social event where gents and ladies – RCs, Parsis and others belonging to a variety of communities, from as far away as Colaba, at one end and Bandra at the other turned up perfumed and in their Sunday best. Now a ghost of Matharpacady Past.

              

    The Busy Bees

    This terrace above the Exide Battery Service Station in Rear Helal Building was once one of the most sought-after spots:  the place where the Busy Bees used to rehearse. Fender Stratocaster guitars and high-powered amps, as well as great musicians, drew throngs on the terrace and windows opposite. The Busybee Band was Allan Valentine on lead, Mario on drums,  Bridgenell -bass. The guy on rhythm was from lower level & Nelson Vaz’s elder brother sang vocals. 

    Ah Norman! Norman Rosario, a tall well known figure in the Village was one of their biggest fans.  He’d catch hold of anyone whom he came across to extoll the musical prowess of Allan and the impressive array of Fender equipment that the band possessed. That’s to say, by the Busy Bees, was Norman completely possessed…

              

    Steps to the Sea?

    The Portuguese and following them Goan Brahmins prided themselves on living on the altinhos of Goa’s cities.  Well Matharpacady is an altinho as these steps above indicate, an extension of one of Mazagon Island’s ranges.

              

    Mazagon (Bhandarwada) Hill (Joseph Baptista Garden) is the other.  That’s not the most exciting fact.  Way before P D’mello was a living person and later a road name, the steep slope that extends from these steps down Champsi Bhimji Road past Mazagon Tower and Hatimi Mohalla to the main road, took you straight to the sea long before where the main road now begins.  At that time it was probably a rocky and muddy path.  And, as if to remind you that Bombay (now Mumbai) was reclaimed from the sea on full moon nights when the tide is up you can smell the sea in Matharpacady and if you’re familiar with it, you get the whiff of the coal tar on the dock walls as the waves lash them. 

    Don’t believe me? Study these maps: 

    One of these shows original land v/s reclamations. The first, though shows the original island and its hills. See the hills on Mazagon Island:  Mazagon Hill to the South (now Joseph Baptista Gardens) and the hill range on which Mariah Hill currently stands, incorporating the gunpowder works and the Matharpacady altinho. Hill slopes descended straight to the sea. When the harbour branch was built, two bridges, it appears from the map, were necessary: span between Mazagon and Mariah Hills and another to span the road before the Reay Road Station.  Given that the intervening land has subsequently been flattened and leveled to create roads and seeing that the original hills descended all the way to the sea, but for a narrow promontory makes us believe that the slope starting at the Matharpacady steps ended up in the sea. So exciting!

                                                  

    This is the second in our series of nostalgic picture tours of the Village.  You are recommended to study it carefully because there’s a bonus … the exciting Nostalgia Quizzz slated for Saturday, June 27, 2020, is getting ready and the clues are hidden here…

                                              by Roydon G, the Galllivanter

  • Meet the Ghosts of Matharpacady Past….

    Meet the Ghosts of Matharpacady Past….

    (A guide to the Guides.  And!!!!!!!  We’ve got a Nostalgia Quizzz coming up on Sat., June 27, 2020.  All the clues are hidden here)

    There’s often a right way and a wrong way to enter a place. When it comes to the Village, there are many ways.  Right or wrong, depends on what you want and where you want to end up.  A bit like Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass. You might happen upon a beauty or you might meet a ghost.  Depends upon you.  No white rabbit here though, but check this out:

         

    Lions’ Den

    Home of the Leao family: Daniel, Alma, Fred, John.  And their descendants.

    And Sammy, former President of the Cross Committee.

    The Bible relates how the Israelite prophet Daniel, a prominent official in the Babylonian King’s court was thrown into the Lions’ Den because he stayed true to the one true God and refused to worship the mortal king.  God shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel was awarded greater honours while his accusers were thrown to the lions instead.  Now figure out who inspired this house’s name.  If you get it wrong the two stone lions on the gate will chew your head off when they come alive …

         

    The lost chord?

    Once upon a time when you entered the Village sounds of the piano or other musical instruments greeted your ear.  23 D Matharpacady, known just by a number, the HQ of the Lopes family. Sundays saw Lt Cdr. Eric Lopes and his daughter Dagmar playing classical Western music on the musical saw (an instrument that looks much like an ordinary carpenter’s saw, played with a bow drawn across the non-toothed side. Tension on the blade and degree of bend gave the desired note) accompanied by his brother Ian Lopes on the guitar. And, a hall full of rapt listeners. Want to see them in action dig up the two episodes of Surabhi (ex Doordarshan) that feature them.  There might still be a saw or two left in Matharpacady but the players are gone… 

              

    The late Dagmar Lopes plays the musical saw at a First Communion party

             

    All’s Well with the Village Well

    No one’s dropped a coin in here to make a wish. No lovers’ suicide.  No ghost stories, so far. Stocked with fish now, but a trifle overgrown, no village maid has ever offered a lad a drink from it, out of her bucket. Brides and grooms do make a trip to it for their “paani” ceremony. I, for one, wouldn’t draw a bucket to bathe, much less take a swig, but the fire brigade has certainly suctioned its lifesaving liquid more than once to fight local fires.  If you’re scared of ghosts, I wouldn’t count on not meeting a shade here between midnight and 3.00 AM.

                                                     

    The Park

    Previously called Tank Square.  Once an open play area bordered by the Bharat Vyayam Shala a low-cost gymnasium where many lads went to acquire their muscles, Tank Square has seen many changes.  In its present avatar there’s a jungle gym and some kiddie playthings and by that token, its grandly called The Park. 

                  

                                                  

    Barcelona, Spain or Lisbon, Portugal or Fontainhas, Panjim?

    A touch of Azulejo tiling, a bit of street art, shady arbours, mysterious windows, a door of enchantment. Roam the streets of Matharpacady and find yourself in a different world, a living culture of taste and refinement that reflects the cultures that shaped this city.

    (Matharpacady was a warren of service lanes and secret short cuts: invaluable to hide in when playing rough games like dabba doobie and seven tiles and you broke someone’s window pane.  Kites were flown from several terraces and dheels or contests were entered into with sharp manja. Marbles, tops, cycling were all popular pastimes before smartphones arrived)

                     

    Behind the Cross

    No tour of the Village is complete unless you go behind the Cross and view the location where one of India’s greatest freedom fighters stayed.  There’s, now a big building called Monarch, a take on the name of the original sprawling Raja Bungalow, that it replaced.  The residence of the Village’s most famous son:  Joseph (Kaka) Baptista.

                      

    Kaka Baptista, (born March 17, 1864) was a close associate and friend of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.    

    Kaka Baptista was Bombay’s Mayor (1925-26).  He developed ideas for local home rule , deeply influencing Tilak. Together with Annie Besant they formed the Home Rule Movement.  However, his ideas for independence didn’t go down too well with the Brits and there’s an apocryphal story told to me by a now deceased elderly resident.  It seems his mayoralty was snatched away in a year and without batting an eyelid, barrister that he was, he declared “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” obviously taking a dig at the Brits.

    Kaka Baptista defended Tilak in court. Tilak also liked and adopted Baptista’s slogan “Swaraj Is my Birthright” which soon became Tilak’s rallying cry.

    There are some ironies to his story.  Firstly, despite being a fervent Christian, he played an important role in popularising the Ganeshotsav festival in the late 19th century, using the community gatherings to mobilise support for the independence movement.  The other irony is that he defended Hindutva ideologue, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of his most high-profile clients.

    While sundry netas have signed away mill land to house the rich and famous, it was this freedom fighter and barrister who took up the cause of the mill worker and in 1920, founded the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

                   

    Keepsake

    Once bustling with many well-known residents:  John Martin (Jamtin a corruption of the Portuguese contraction of his name, J’mtine), a prominent voice in the singing of the Litany,  St John Valladares (Sinjin) who led the Matharpacady Club for ages as Secretary, Carole Viegas the late President of the Cross Committee.  Bonnie Michael D’souza (Bonnie) whose band “The Bonaventures” was top of the charts for ages in Aamchi Mumbai.  At one point, Bonaventures featured golden-voiced Walter Pereira who lived behind the Cross.

                   

    Canon Villa                 

    Once called The Rosary but more fondly remembered colloquially as the “lozenger school”.  The former owners, the Ferreira sisters ran a nursery school for tots on their terrace.  At departure time each kid was given a boiled sweet lozenge as an incentive to come in the next day, earning the school its name.

    It was renamed Canon Villa by the current landlords, respecting their association with Wilson College and its Church of North India Legacy. A curious shift from a Marian to Biblical nomenclature.

    Talking of music, Frank Gonsalves formed an orchestra, of his old students, which met every Sunday in his hall.  This is the same orchestra that played every year for the Cross Feast Vespers which were celebrated on the 2nd of May, the day before the actual feast which used to be on the 3rd of May. It was a grand affair with the singing of the Litany in Latin by the Village’s best voices.

                   

    Trilby Cottage

    Situated behind the Lopes’ bungalow is the quaint Trilby cottage named after the late Trilby Lopes (nee Azavedo), the late musical saw player Lt Cdr. Eric’s wife.  By the way, once upon a time, the Trilby was a fashionable hat as was the bowler, fedora and homburg. The hat’s name derives from the stage adaptation of George du Maurier’s 1894 novel Trilby. A hat of this style was worn in the first London production of the play, and promptly came to be called “a Trilby hat”. Frank Sinatra was identified with trilby hats, and there is a signature design trilby bearing his name.

                   

    Harbour View  

    Situated next to Lions’ Den this used to be the height of high-rise in the days when Matharpacady was a Village of quaint and sprawling bungalows. As the name suggests, the higher floors afforded a view of the famed Bombay Harbour to which cargo ships called (before JNPT drew the cream of shipping away). Isn’t it curious that the former building opposite Harbour View was called the Anchorage, another gracious building that has given way to a boxy Kishant?

                   

    The Wayside Cross

    Fifty yards away from Harbour View you’ll find this Cross on private land. The home of the Nazareths.  The day after the Cross Feast it is traditional to celebrate the feast at this Cross.  As children of yesteryear will remember, there was a kind of decorative cherry tree that grew next to it.  Kids never failed to pluck its wild cherries. They were sweetish but full of chik and inedible. The other botanical specimen of interest, hard by the cherry tree, was a drumstick tree often decorated by an abundance of drumsticks dangling from the branches.  Legend has it that a drumstick tree was home to a drumstick like green snake that camouflaged itself and then dropped down onto the head of a victim.  If that happened to you, you were a sure goner.

                                                        

    Bongo Lane

    How this very picturesque part of Matharpacady with its old-world houses and narrow mysterious paths got this name is a mystery.  Maybe the settling down of many music loving Goans with their upbeat Konkani mandos had something to do with it; the Latin flavour, supposedly.  One legend has it that the late Joe Pereira, a music-loving chap with a great sense of rhythm had adopted the bongos as his instrument, which he produced on every social occasion.  From Joe’s bongos to Bongo Lane was a short transition.  Who knows?  It still hosts an annual happening jump ‘n jive party.  Find favour and you might get invited…

     

    This is the first in our series of nostalgic picture tours of the Village.  You are recommended to study it carefully because there’s a bonus … the exciting Nostalgia Quizzz is in the works and the clues are hidden here…

    Credits – Roydon Gonsalves

     

  • RIP Tyronne Concescio

    RIP Tyronne Concescio

          

    John Bunyan in his book The Pilgrim’s Progress presents the allegory of Christian, an everyman journeying from his hometown City of Destruction to the “Celestial City” atop Mount Zion.  On the way he labours under a heavy burden, in his case, the weight of his sin that he came upon after reading the book in his hand.  Tyronne’s life too was much the same, a constant pilgrimage.  However, in his case his burden was his troubled eyesight.  A major handicap it made him undertake several pilgrimages from the “city of destruction” that lost eyesight is.   It’s tragic that his eyesight stood in the way of his studying further despite having a keen intellect.  But then it compelled him to undertake a journey to North India to seek treatment.  Travelling in the blackout during one of India’s wars, he gained fresh perspectives.

    A burden often opens up new vistas and coopts various Simons of Cyrene. Seeking out Fr Dickey his priest relative, Tyronne developed friendships with many priests. In the process he found not the proverbial Simon but the Master, Jesus, Himself. Those who were fortunate to know Tyronne closely will recall that his life too was struggle, persevere, fall, rise, but keep on walking.  All the while like his Master, he reached out his hand to bring happiness to people. I’ve been a witness to the love many of his office colleagues had for him.  At various critical moments Tyronne gave someone a hand. Feast times, Christmas, in particular he was often the first to pop in very briefly to wish the family before taking himself off to the next house and the next, spreading cheer as he went.  And, often his visits were not empty handed.  Working for Britannia he often bought packets of biscuits which he distributed to all those he loved and the list was long.

    It is not as if Tyronne didn’t have his balmy days!  Cross Feasts, the polishing of brass under the eagle eye of Aunty Daisy followed by tasty rewards.  Especially chilled kalinga juice on the day itself after a morning of hard work.  One shouldn’t forget the days when Gorai was a virgin beach lined by hedges of mangroves and palm trees recalling the best Honolulu dream.  A versatile writer, Tyronne romanced Aunty Girlie (Marie D’Silva) with his poetic prose describing the place where she owned an ambawadi, much beloved by us children.  Encouraged by his words she literally gave us children the keys to her kingdom and the most magical times in Gorai followed, with swims, sing song and great food.  Yes, Tyronne was a versatile writer, winning over metaphorically priest and prelate alike.  Very selfishly we capitalized on this strength making him General Secretary of every Village based organization.  MRWA and the Cross Committee notably.

    After the untimely death of the multi-talented Peter Miranda who was both Headmaster and Managing Trustee of St Isabel’s the mantle of Managership fell on Tyronne’s shoulders.  I always wondered how a person who spent his working life as a secretary hampered by a physical limitation would rise to the challenges a CEO would find daunting.  There is no doubt in my mind His Lord and Cross bearer was behind his rising to the challenge.  With perfect serenity he took charge.  It’s a pleasure to recall the times he proudly related how the school got cent per cent results in the SSC. There were other trustees but in his own quiet way Tyronne forged bonds with all constituencies – students, teachers, office staff and ex-students.

    I must confess I pulled a sneaky one on him. After addressing a gathering on careers at the Bandra Gym the East Indian committee backstage tried to rope me in as a trustee of the Bombay Institute for Deaf & Mutes on Nesbit Road, one of the premier institutions for the hearing impaired.  Not as large hearted as Tyronne, I side stepped the issue by suggesting his name.  Next thing I heard, he had become a Trustee of this august East Indian initiative at the service of a specific segment of “non-people” who would otherwise never get a chance in society.

    However, Tyronne’s greatest love was for the village.  He leveraged his trusteeship to extend facilities to bond inhabitants together.  Villagers were always welcome.  As were the poor service providers, like the dhobi. In this country it’s the tendency to misuse position to get ahead. Tyronne never hesitated to use position to help others.  Not only that I’ve seen him give time to lonely people, the elderly, the sick and hospitalized.  Never empty handed: patties, samosas, cake, biscuits or even a bag of apples. I’ve caught him sneaking into the Blessed Sacrament Provincialate House at dusk bearing bags of goodies.  A brief popping in, dropping off of and quick exit.  Many a priest or bishop had his lonely life lifted a bit by Tyronne’s graciousness.

    It would be an incomplete narrative to forget that Tyronne was all about family.  I recall his tears of sorrow at his sister Audrey’s passing.  Cliffy his brother, was easily his best friend.  His sister Dilys’ children Linda, Astrid, Trudy and Faye were his life and joy.  His cousins and many relatives were clearly dear to him.  It is pretty evident that the love was reciprocated.

    Tyronne had a way with words and what he lacked in eyesight, he made up for in memory.  For anyone who’d like to relive life in the old Village nostalgically, here’s a link to a piece that Vincent Mascarenhas did on Tyronne taking us all Down Memory Lane. It’s a journey worth taking for more reasons than one; a life that’s not vanished, but in a way, transformed.

    https://viewvin.net/2017/09/15/down-memory-lane-with-tyronne/

    Farewell Tyronne. May angels bear you to Abraham’s side.

    From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

    Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,

    And soonest our best men with thee do go,

    Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.

    ….

    One short sleep past, (Tyronne, thou shall) wake eternally

    And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

    Credits – Roydon Gonsalves and Vincent Mascarenhas

    [Show slideshow]

  • Daily Rosary During May – Monday & Saturday

    Daily Rosary During May – Monday & Saturday

    LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020

    The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view. For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

    We sending you the link of the you tube video to be used during all Mondays and Saturdays in the month of May.

     

     

     

     

  • Cross Feast – Down Memory Lane

    Cross Feast – Down Memory Lane

    The Holy Cross Oratory is a religious landmark, well over a century old, situated in the heart of  Matharpacady Oart, popularly known as “THE VILLAGE”.

    The solemn Novena Services every year start on 22nd April.  The Feast of  the Holy Cross is celebrated on 1st May, commencing with the Eucharistic Sacrifice and followed by joyous festivities.

    The devotions at the Holy Cross Oratory are a living witness to the rich spiritual heritage and faith of  our forefathers. Many stalwarts from the Village have made ardent efforts to preserve and continue these noble traditions for posterity.

    The families in Matharpacady Village have always rallied around the Holy Cross Oratory over the many decades, in times of  emergency and distress, praying most fervently, especially to our Saviour and Redeemer, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Roque.  They have never failed to heed and answer the cries of  those in pain and need. Since the past couple of years, Rosary is recited daily by a group of residents.

    We bring you some memories of our Feast Day celebrations down the years.

  • Holy Cross Feast Mass – 1st May 2020

    Holy Cross Feast Mass – 1st May 2020

    In Times of Fear

    Unprecedented near global lockdown. An unprecedented “plague” in the 21st Century. God’s punishment? Mankind’s abuse of the earth?  Who will be next?  Me?  When will a cure or vaccine be found? Fear. Uncertainty.

    In Stormy Seas

    In troubled seas the Cross of Christ is the only sure rock.  On the Cross Jesus Christ gave his life willingly to save you and me through Faith from eternal damnation, from swirling threats like pain, sickness, disease. Even from killer plague!  The Holy Cross Oratory built through the generosity of our ancestors and a certain Mrs Buthello is striking testimony.  As is, the unbroken tradition of the Novena since the 1800s.

    The Cross Our True Salvation

    Come to MATHARPACADY this evening ONLINE to celebrate this Victory on the Cross with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by the Parish Priest of Rosary Parish, Rev. Fr. Nigel Barrett specially for us. Here’s the link:

     

    Creating history again

    This year a new course has been charted:  The Novena Services (that started on April 22) were taken online via our Village Blog and YouTube.  This benefits hundreds of believers across the Globe.

    Once upon a time, in keeping with Matharpacady’s maritime nexus, on the Feast Day, the village used to be decorated with Ship’s Flags of myriad nationalities from round the globe.  Prophetic!  For, this year, this tiny Village hidden away in SoBo, has punched through space, time and quarantine to unite the faithful into one Praying Global Village. 

    Indeed, it’s plague and pestilence that makes the shield of faith even stronger!

     

  • Holy Cross Novena – 30th April 2020 – Day 9

    MATHARPACADY VILLAGE HOLY CROSS ORATORY

    145th Anniversary – Novena

    In these Times of Pandemic join Matharpacady Village in praying for protection:

    The Holy Cross Oratory at Matharpacady was built in 1875 to testify how Faith in Jesus saved Matharpacady Village from the devastating Bubonic Plague.

    With living faith:

    The Annual Novena to the Holy Cross

    (Patron Saint:  St Roque)

    Commences:  7.30 p.m. IST, DAILY from

    April  22 to 30, 2020

    Cross Bells will be rung 7.30 p.m.

    The Theme for the Novena today is :

    We Pray That We Are All Saved Through The Holy Cross Of Lord Jesus Christ.
     

    Click on the link being sent to you daily, follow on your smart-phone or Smart TV, and sing, pray and rejoice simultaneously with your fellow residents of Matharpacady and neighbours in India and abroad.   Kindly click on the “SUBSCRIBE” icon on your screen for regular updates.

    Please pass this message on to relatives, friends and well wishers and post/share/message this opportunity of His Love & Protection —

    We are also attaching the link to The Daily Eucharist being celebrated by His Eminence,  Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay –

     

  • Matharpacady Village Cross Feast – 1st May 2020

    GRAND FEAST MASS – Friday, 1st May 2020

    • 7.00 P.M. SHARP (IST) –HOLY EUCHARIST CELEBRATED BY OUR PARISH PRIEST, REV. FR. NIGEL BARRETT,OUR LADY OF ROSARY CHURCH, DOCKYARD ROAD

              Link for the above will be sent tomorrow evening.

    • RETROSPECTIVE OF CROSS FEASTS PAST – A trip down memory lane in pictures – immediately following Mass

              Link for the above will be sent tomorrow evening after the Holy Eucharist.

    THE CELEBRATION

    Let the Games begin!

    1st May 2020

    9.30 pm – Calling all Housie lovers (not lousy lovers) ? :

    The  Grand Tambola online

    Await the Link and Instructions. Pray for luck!!!

    The  VIRTUAL Tambola game

    • Make sure your data/WiFi is switched on
    • Suggest you Download the app and create a profile before hand
    • At 9:20 pm – Click the link sent to you on WhatsApp and click PLAY AS A GUEST and then click on PARTY. The game will be opened to all at 9:30 PM sharp as we all need to play together – so only those logged in on time will get to play –  numbers called will be visible at the top and you can try to catch up if late.
    • In case it asks for the Code etc. please insert as shared in the Whatsapp message
    • Enter your name and Login
    •              
    • You will find a button next to your User ID to BUY TICKETS
    • You can get 1,2 or 3 tickets to play each game. Each ticket has 15 numbers on it
    • The dealer calls out random numbers. If you have those numbers on your ticket you can mark them by tapping on them
    • If you are one of the first to get 5 called numbers on your ticket, or all 4 corners, or all numbers in wither Top, bottom or middle line, then you can tap on the CLAIM button to claim the prize for that
    • If all numbers on your ticket are called out then you must immediately claim FULL HOUSE to be the winner
    • Note : Marking numbers by tapping on them is only for your convenience. It has no impact on your claims or winnings. A valid claim is only possible via using the CLAIM button.
    • We can schedule to play max 2 games ending at 10 pm.

    Saturday, 2nd May 2020

    11.30 am (IST)

    Premieres on the dot!

    Quizzz of Quizzzzzes! 

    From the brain of the Mistress of Brain Torture.

    Youuuuuu don’t wanna miss this!

    INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE QUIZZZ

    • Make sure your data/WiFi is switched on – chk, chk, chk your internet connection!
    • Click the link sent to you on WhatsApp or posted on FaceBook/on this Blog
    • Enter your username
    • Click on Ok, go!
    • Start playing
    • Set of 25 trivia questions
    • Be Fast. Think quick. Answer quick
    • Limit on 100 players. BE FIRST!!! or BE LEFT OUT!
    • Be smart buddy, don’t get logged out… he he he — like taking a chick to a dance and losing her to another dude ?You won’t be able to get back ?

    Note: The Quizzz is open till 7.00 a.m. on May 3rd.  THEN:  The Winners will be announced here on the Matharpacady Blog. Of course you might also hope to see the Podium on the App. WILL U GET A MEDAL?  Aha!  Let’s see!

    • You got eyes?

    Watch this space – if Lockdown continues in Mumbai past the 3rd May, YOU MAY BE IN THE DARK BUT YOU WON’T BE ALONE – Heart, liver and kidney, we’ll be in your house; in your bedroom with a set of drills for your wee little brain. 

    NEVER FEAR – THE Quiz Mistress is near.  (Don’t worry ducky, you’ll enjoy it)…

     Tick, tock, tick ,tock!

    Wait for the links!

     Pray and play; play and pray.  The family that prays … and plays together stays together!

    Note : For any queries or assistance to the Tambola or Quiz, please contact Vidhya on 9833400814.

     THE WAYSIDE CROSS 

    (The Cross by the Wayside – house of The Nazareths)

    Online Rosary on 2nd May 2020

    7.30 p.m. (IST)

    (Please Wait for the link)

     THE MONTH OF MAY

    DEDICATED TO OUR LADY  

              Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel - Welcome   Daily Rosary at 7.30 p.m. (IST)

    (Links to the four mysteries on You Tube will be provided.)

    A service to ALL who are dedicated to the Holy Cross and to Our Lady,  Villagers, Rosary Parishioners, Catholics worldwide and our non-Christian friends.   

     

    The Holy Cross Oratory in Matharpacady Village

    A successful village beats with one heart!

     

  • Holy Cross Novena – 22nd April 2020

    MATHARPACADY VILLAGE HOLY CROSS ORATORY

    145th Anniversary – Novena

    In these Times of Pandemic join Matharpacady Village in praying for protection:

    The Holy Cross Oratory at Matharpacady was built in 1875 to testify how Faith in Jesus saved Matharpacady Village from the devastating Bubonic Plague.

    With living faith:

    The Annual Novena to the Holy Cross

    (Patron Saint:  St Roque)

    Commences:  7.30 p.m. IST, DAILY from

    April  22 to 30, 2020

     Cross Bells will be rung 7.30 p.m.

     

    Click on the link being sent to you daily, follow on your smart-phone or Smart TV or Computer, and sing, pray and rejoice simultaneously with your fellow residents of Matharpacady and neighbours in India and abroad.  

    Please pass this message on to relatives, friends and well wishers and post/share/message this opportunity of His Love & Protection —

     We are also attaching the link to The Daily Eucharist being celebrated by His Eminence,  Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay –

     

  • Whist Drive – 10th March 2020

    Whist Drive – 10th March 2020

         

    The Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association organised their Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s High School on Tuesday, 10th March 2020.  Mr. Stanislaus Baptista and Mr. Dennis Baptista handled this Whist Drive. Twenty Eight participants and other guests were warmly greeted as they entered the  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.   Stanislaus Baptista also captured these moments on camera for us. Light refreshments of hot tea, biscuits and Batata Vadas were served at the break in sessions.  Highest scorers were awarded generous cash prizes.  The delighted recipients – Mr. Clifford Khan,  with 99 points was the first prize winner with highest points. The prize for the highest score in the first half shared by Mrs. Irene Nazareth and Mr. Maxim Rego with 49 points each. The prize for the highest score in the second half was awarded to  Ms, Philo Nazareth  with 46 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Ms. Joan Nazareth with 66 points while the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. Avelino Rosario (66 points). They all received the gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked all the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function. Thanks also to Mrs. Joanita D’Costa for the delicious homemade sweets given to all participants. Mr. Stanislaus Baptista informed all about the Whist Drive being organised by the Rosarian Senior Citizens Association  on Tuesday, 24th March 2020 at 6.00 pm in the KG Classroom. The next Whist Drive being organised by the MRWA will be on Tuesday, 14th April 2020 at 6.00 pm at St. Isabel’s High School.  Heartfelt thanks to the Management and Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, for allowing us the use of the Hall and other amenities for all our functions. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, by fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

     

    [Show slideshow]