On Sunday evening, 1st May 2016, over 350 residents and friends assembled around the decorated stage and altar near the Holy Cross Oratory, to devoutly participate in praise, song and worship at the Feast Mass. The Managing Committee organized the 141st Thanksgiving Novena Services and Feast Mass Celebrations. This tradition has been handed down by our forebears down the decades for well over a century to protect the resident families from the scourge of plague and pestilence. The traditional Novena Services include the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the Litany of Our Lady, the Litany of the Holy Cross and the Litany of St. Roque [patron saint to safeguard us from plague and pestilence]. The nine day Novena Services commenced on 22nd April and were well attended.
Reverend Father Sandeep Borges, Parish Assistant, Holy Magi Church, Gorai, was the Chief Celebrant at the Cross Feast Mass. Reverend Father H. Jagaraj, Superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, concelebrated the Feast Mass with three Brothers of his Congregation. As the Priests solemnly came in procession from “Eymard Cottage” [Headquarters of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers at 22 Matharpacady] to the Altar, Captain Julius Valladares welcomed them on behalf of the Managing Committee and all present. He said that Father Sandeep was rightly and affectionately nicknamed “Santaclaus Father”, “Smiley face Father”, “Spot Prize Father” etc. because of his amiable nature and reaching out to babies, small children, youth, adults, the aged and infirm blessing them and giving them small gift crucifixes, medals, key chains, sweets, etc. before and after religious services at which he officiates. He had already endeared himself to the large gathering of worshippers today. After the mass, Rev. Fr. Sandeep distributed small crucifixes, key chains and pens to many residents and well wishers. The choir, led by Vincent Mascarenhas and Hansel Baptista, requested the faithful to join in singing the entrance hymn “Come On And Celebrate” whole-heartedly as the Eucharistic Sacrifice began. During the homily, Father Sandeep emphasized on the need for all of us to accept our daily trials and tribulations in life as “Crosses” taking them up and bearing them in the spirit of true Christian faith, and then we would experience Jesus walking alongside us and bearing the weight of our heavy Crosses in life. The Celebrants blessed the congregation with the True Relic of the Cross as Holy Mass ended. At her Vote of Thanks, Mrs. Carole Viegas, President, expressed the Committee’s gratitude to Rev. Fr. Sandeep Borges for celebrating the Feast Mass and his inspiring homily, to Rev. Fr. Jagaraj and the Blessed Sacrament Brothers for their constant support to the community, Rev. Fr. Frank Fernandes, our Parish Priest, the Choir, the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, decorators, donors, benefactors and volunteers. The choir sang harmoniously hymns of praise and worship as residents went to the Holy Cross Oratory to kiss and venerate the Relic of the Cross and collect their box of tasty snacks.
A delightful entertainment program followed and kept the audience very happy and amused. Fifteen small children – very young girls and boys, well trained by Mrs. Neollene Fialho, Mrs. Vera Monteiro and Mrs. Avina D’Souza, sang, danced and performed to the ever popular songs from “The Sound of Music” and “Jungle Book”. “Sunday Morning” and “Down By the Bay” sung by the kids were trained by Desiree Fernandes. Captain Julius Valladares admirably compered this show, introducing the colorful and wacky characters “Aunty Maggie” [Merwyn D’Mello] and “Uncle Siloo” [Dennis Baptista], in-between the kiddies song-and-dance, to regale the audience in repeated rounds of applause and appreciation for all the entertainers, especially the loveable small children. Thereafter, Desmond Baptista and Andrew D’Sylva kept folk happy and excited as they waited for Dame Fortune to smile on them during a few games of “Housie”, Bingo! Many lucky ones did strike it rich on our Feast Day.
Compiled by Tyronne Concescio, Hon. Secretary, Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory Committee
Photographs – Courtesy – Stanislaus Baptista
