MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Tag: holy cross oratory

  • Christmas Party – Boxing Day – 26th December 2019

    Christmas Party – Boxing Day – 26th December 2019

         

    Once again Captain Julius Valladares and his team of organisers – Canute Monteiro, Shaila Baptista and our evergreen comedian Merwyn D’Mello outdid themselves with a hugely appreciated “Christmas Tree” for kids.  Some forty kids and their parents cutting across all castes, creeds and religions.  It is funny that Julius chose the village’s overgrown kid Roydon to emcee the games.  Quite the ‘boy who never grew up”,  Roydon in the Passing Santa’s Cap game for the little tots allowed himself to be bullied by the little ones into not declaring anyone out for several rounds.  Finally Shaila, ever the kind but firm Mommy, stepped in to eliminate the kids stuck with the hat.  Food is one things kids never tire of and there were plenty of snacks and refreshing drinks.  In keeping with our “save the environment” ethos, all ate to their heart’s content but strategically positioned dustbins received all the wastes, thus saving the environment.  We have hope in our future generation.  A kind of Grand March to spirited music had kids from the youngest to the oldest march around the square culminating in a dance that kids are natural at. A game for slightly older kids saw kids running and pushing for seats although everyone was assured a seat at the proverbial table.  Says so much for human nature.  Elimination was by lucky or unlucky draw of mini icons of the Christmas Icons that were stuck on the chairs.  Too bad for the kid who’s seat was perched on the drawn symbol! The oldest batch were tested on both leadership and team behaviour as well as their ability to interpret series of pictorial clues related to Carols in a Guess the Carols contest.  Our participants all proved to be intelligent because the difference between inning teams was very thin.  Finally it was time for Santa Claus to make his appearance and Merwyn in costume, bell in hand proved more than able to set all bells a-ringing with the kids flocking behind him waiting eagerly for the toffees and chocolates to be handed out from his goody bag.  While prizes, spot prizes and presents were being handed out by Santa, to our great delight our Parish Priest Fr Nigel Barret put in a surprise appearance.  When it was all over their daddies and mommies (mainly mommies) took “them home to bed because they were tired little teddy bears”. We have it on authority that the mommies enjoyed it all as much as the kids did!

    With inputs from Roydon Gonsalves

    Photographs : Courtesy – Natasha Lobo

     

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  • Thanksgiving Service – 30th December 2019

    Thanksgiving Service – 30th December 2019

                               

    God the giver of all good things who Himself sets the example of Servant leadership saw the residents come together on a cool and pleasant evening of 30th December 2019 to give praise and thanks and to learn lessons from the Master.  A very inspiring liturgy put together by Vincent Mascarenhas saw very tight and prayerful execution by the small organising team of Vidhyashri Veloo and MRWA President Renie Baptista led by Roydon Gonsalves.  Hansel Baptista was the sheet anchor providing chords and rhythm with his guitar accompaniment.  All the other participants Renie, Selma, Anjean, Canute, Benny, Kurt, Cynthia were clear, prayerful and on time.  Thanks to the choir comprising Corina, Gina, Cynthia, Renie, Keira, Vera, Franci we were able to praise God in song .  A birth in the village is taken as a blessing, as a sign that God will ensure that our village continues.  A ray of hope that flickers in the sky…  The thanksgiving for Births was celebrated by the Carol “When a Child is Born”, sung by Keira Barrett, daughter of Gayle Viegas and Douglas Barrett. Likewise a Wedding in the Village where the couple stays on rather than moving to a suburb or abroad was likewise celebrated with “Showers of Blessings”. Deaths are not the occasions to curse or question God but to rejoice at the ultimate healing and restoration to youth and perfection of the deceased in His Kingdom.  In song we commended ourselves “Into his hands”.  Finally we petitioned God for answers to Church, national, local civic, neighbourhood and legal issues. 

    Does anyone go mad like this over cheese balls?
    Pretty maids all in a row

    A couple of rousing Christmas Carols took the gathering into the mood for fun and games ably conducted by Selma.  A balloon and cup race had the kids struggling to battle the wind to make it to the finish line.  The adults in their team game had as much fun puncturing cheese balls with toothpicks held in their teeth and transferring them to plates held by their team mates at the opposite end.  And then there was a team game of Guess the Carol and Sing it with three teams competing to sing their carols loudest. Fuel for energy was provided by the ample snacks and soft drinks provided by the MRWA. Plenty of prizes, plenty of fun and the cherry on top were the calendars and spot prizes generously donated by Percy D’Souza.

    With Inputs from Roydon Gonsalves

    Photographs : Courtesy – Stanislaus Baptista

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  • AGM Get Together – 28th September 2019

    AGM Get Together – 28th September 2019

                                      

    The AGM of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association was held on Saturday evening, September 28, 2019. Post the AGM, the Committee members organised a small get together for the members and their families. 

    It was an enjoyable evening with plenty of exciting games organised by Selma Pulical with the assistance of the other committee members. There were also some interesting spot prizes called out and a game of Human Housie. We had loads of scrumptious snacks being served in between the team games. Rodger Gonsalves gave us some lively music while Stan Baptista took care to capture all the excitement on his camera. 

    The evening came to a close with the distribution of prizes and the traditional group  photograph.  Almost everyone went home with hands laden with a prize and snacks. 

    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.

    Inputs from : Mrs. Selma Pulical

    Photographs – Courtesy : Stanislaus Baptista

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  • Carole Ann Viegas

    Carole Ann Viegas

     

    ‘May I write a blog on you” I asked Carole  Viegas when she visited me a month ago. Her immediate response was, ” I’d rather you don’t ” More like, I enjoy being the person who I am, and do not want any publicity.

    On Friday 19th July 2019,  I had attended the Eucharist and was due to visit the housebound with Holy Communion. As I commenced on my rounds, I thought of a few questions I would ask Carole on my visit to her home. …mainly for the intended blog on her,

    I reached the neighbourhood and realized   something was amiss at the Viegas household. I went up to her home. The silent group of people assembled with her husband Gerry, was enough to signal that Carole had already departed to her heavenly home. 

    Carole was always more concerned about Gerry’s health, both being cancer survivors. However she displayed tremendous courage and joie de vivre. Her daughter Gayle mentioned “ Mum was quite upset when first diagnosed;  but I encouraged her to be brave and battle it out. And she did heed that advice to be positive, and outgoing as before.  In fact her peaceful departure while asleep, was certainly a victory for her. It was more heart related , rather than the cancer.”

    Two days before her demise , I met her in the neighbourhood. She was  returning from  the  Bombay Institute for the Deaf and Dumb , where she worked to get donors involved.Her initial involvement was with the Board of the Institute. It was also her 75th birthday the previous week and I was so happy to wish her well. She lived life to the fullest.

    In our Village of Matharpacady, she was one of the most active residents. She was President of the Holy Cross Committee. We did not realise that The  Holy Cross Feast on 1stMay 2019 would be her last. We will miss the Meetings at her home before and after the feast. She also served as an animator of the Parish Zone 8 and earlier on the Parish Council of Rosary Church. But her notable contribution in the Church was her passion to sing in the choir. You could never miss seeing Carole for the mass choir, specially at the main feasts of Christmas and Easter. Most of all when people needed a choir for a funeral,  it did not matter who it was..she would always pitch in to help in the matter.

    Her special attribute was to be an ‘Encourager’. I say special, as she made it a point to find something good to say about any service done by people. Being a  beneficiary of it myself, I know how she has impacted many. Carole was very loving and  had no malice. She always strove for unity and went out of her way to overcome any differences. She could connect with people of all ages. At meetings she shared her opinion without ruffling feathers .

    I remember the early family days, when Carole’s home was full of life. There were parties, and songs floated into the night.  She and Gerry were good dancers. I think their jive was so relaxed that it looked as easy as ever.  An important event earlier was the celebration of their Golden Wedding . It was a very joyous occassion and well attended. Yes indeed , she was richly blest.

    I was amazed to see the church filled beyond capacity at her funeral mass. She had touched the lives of so many, who came specially to bid her farewell . Carole’s granddaughter Keira sang a beautiful hymn ‘Be Not Afraid’ , to reiterate that spirit of courage. Eulogies flowed from her children , grandchildren , and extended family. Her grandchildren Maya and Neel, recalled how she told them stories of the yesteryears and always encouraged them in their endeavours. Ignatius read out a message from her cousin Rosalind. Jordana her godchild, spoke lovingly about Carole. Even her former office colleague Marisa, shared some beautiful memories of her.

    Her son Garth mentioned that this was a celebration of her life well lived.  Yes , and the family did followup with this emotion at the end of the day. They bid her farewell that night the way she would have wanted , with joy and song.

    Farewell dear Carole…… May you rest in eternal peace with our Heavenly Father.

    Courtesy : Mr. Vincent Mascarenhas

  • Cross Feast Celebrations – 1st May 2019

    Cross Feast Celebrations – 1st May 2019

           

    On Wednesday evening, 1st May 2019, over 325 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 144th Thanksgiving Novena Services and Feast Mass Celebrations.  This tradition has been handed down by our forefathers 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 Easter Monday, 22nd April and were well attended.

     

    Reverend Father Lawrie Ferrao S.J., Parish Priest, St. Anne’s Church, Mazagon, was the Chief Celebrant at the Cross Feast Mass.  Reverend Father Ruban, of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, concelebrated the Feast Mass.  As the Priests solemnly came in procession from “Eymard Cottage” [Headquarters of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers at 22 Matharpacady] to the Altar, Mr. Noel Viegas welcomed them on behalf of the Managing Committee  and all present.  The choir, requested the faithful to join in singing the entrance hymn “Here We Are” whole-heartedly as the Eucharistic Sacrifice began.  During the homily, Father Lawrie 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. At the end of it all, it all comes down to the choices we make and how much we love. We have chosen to carry on this age old tradition of celebrating this feast, in thanksgiving to the Cross for having saved us from the plague which destroyed so many 144 years ago. And now in our daily lives, living here in Matharpacady, by consciously choosing to love and help each other, we thus pledge our love to the Cross, which saved us then and continues to save us now. 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. Lawrie Ferrao for celebrating the Feast Mass and his inspiring homily, to Rev. Fr. Peter J. and the Blessed Sacrament Fathers for their constant support to the community, Rev. Fr. Herman Almeida, 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 boiled gram, cake, patties and cold drink.    

    The melodious singing by Sarah Dias and Elijah Monteiro of a duet “A Million Dreams” kept the audience rapt with attention. There were repeated rounds of applause and appreciation from the audience for the two of them.  Thereafter, Desmond Baptista and Stanislaus Baptista kept folk happy and excited as they waited for Dame Fortune to smile on them during couple of games of “Housie”, Bingo! Many lucky ones did strike it rich on our Feast Day.

    Compiled by Stanislaus Baptista, Treasurer, Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory Committee

     

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  • Thanksgiving Service – 15th December 2018

    Thanksgiving Service – 15th December 2018

     

                        

    Since early December, Matharpacady Village wore a festive look  with all the bylanes decorated with twinkle lights, stars and lanterns as we get ready for Christmas. The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association invited residents for the Annual Thanksgiving Service on Saturday, 15th December 2018 from 8.00 pm onwards. Residents and well wishers gathered together near the  Holy Cross Oratory, singing hymns of praise and thanking God for the innumerable blessings received during the past year. This Annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service was well attended by residents  and well wishers. Fr. Ruban of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers graced the occasion and gave the final blessing.    

    Cake and refreshments were served to all. This was followed by a Christmas Crossword and other fun team games which were entertaining and enjoyed by everyone. These team games helped bring people together, fostering a spirit of friendship. Prizes were given to all the winners – individual as well as teams.

                                                            

    As in previous years, each family was presented with mementos- Saint Teresa of Calcutta Medals and the prayer. Our President also donated some souvenirs and calendars to everybody during the evening. Our thanks to the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School for use of their chairs and tables and always assisting us in all our endeavours.

    May the Spirit of this season bring Joy, Hope and Love to the hearts of many – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Compiled by : Mrs. Selma Pulical

    Photographs Courtesy : Mr. Stanislaus Baptista

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  • AGM Get together -22nd September 2018

    AGM Get together -22nd September 2018

    The MRWA AGM was held on Saturday, September 22nd 2018 at St. Isabel’s High School. The meeting was followed by a get together exclusively for members and their families. Games, entertainment, spot prizes & lip-smacking snacks – It indeed promised to be an evening of fun.

    We began with an interesting Treasure Hunt, which saw three teams excitedly running around hunting for clues and working together to solve them. The other equally exciting games of the evening included Pictionary and a Jigsaw Puzzle where each team had to piece together a picture of a location in Matharpacady. Everyone present, the young and old alike, participated enthusiastically in all the games and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Refreshments were served by the committee members at regular intervals between the games. We also had some of our local singing talent, viz, Elijah Monteiro and Dave Pulical entertaining us with their solo performances.

    The evening ended with Mr. Percy D’Souza giving away the prizes, and everyone left having had a truly enjoyable time together.

    Inputs from : Mrs. Selma Pulical

    Photographs – Courtesy : Stanislaus Baptista

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  • Cross Feast Celebrations – May 2018

    Cross Feast Celebrations – May 2018

          

    The Managing Committee organized the traditional Novena Services from Sunday, 22nd April 2018.  Each evening a Prayer Leader led the recital of the Rosary, followed by Litanies of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Cross and St. Roque before a large gathering of Catholic residents.  Thereafter and on occasions a variety of other snacks were given and also the traditional boiled gram was distributed  too,  when friends and neighbours interacted. On Vespers evening, Monday 30th April 2018, Rev. Fr. David who works with Rev. Fr. Jackie SSS and Rev. Fr. Stephen SSS spoke to the gathering about the dedicated pioneering missionary work done by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in the Andaman Islands.   His talk was well appreciated.

    The Feast Mass was concelebrated at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, 1st May 2018 with a tastefully decorated center stage and backdrop. His Lordship Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes, Archbishops House, was the Chief Celebrant.  Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Cunha S.J. [St. Anne’s Church] and Rev. Fr. Jackie Rodrigues SSS were the concelebrants.      

    His Grace Bishop Dominic Savio’s thought provoking and inspiring homily centered around the liturgy based on the numerous aged, infirm, ailing, disabled, home bound and less fortunate residents and families in and around Matharpacady. 

    He shared about developing a spirit of understanding, specially when we experience hurt, or harm in any way;  to avoid judging those who are perpetrators of any form of violence is always the better way forward. Often, these very people have been affected in the past and thus their behaviour is a reaction to those hurts. A spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation brings about healing.

    With respect to family life, when parents care for children and children care for aged parents in so many ways replicated how St. Joseph cared for Mother Mary and Baby Jesus. Our compassion and caring for the sick is all about fostering good will and unity in the community.

    He emphasized the steadfast, humble qualities of St. Joseph whose feast is celebrated on Workers’ Day, 1st May.  We should strive to emulate St. Joseph, who looked after Mother Mary and the Child Jesus as his family, nurtured and taught Him till His ministry to mankind started.  By humbly emulating his example, we would be serving our own families , reaching out to our neighbours and to all those who are lonely, in need, pain and suffering. We would thus be living up to the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ teachings, sufferings, death on the Cross we now venerate and His triumphant resurrection. 

    The President of the Managing Committee gave the Vote of Thanks. She expressed gratitude to His Grace Bishop Dominic Savio, the Concelebrating Priests, Parish Priest Fr. Herman Almeida, Blessed Sacrament Fathers, the Choir, Prayer Leaders, St. Isabel’s Trustees, Kharwa Decorators, Caterer, generous donors and volunteers for making the Novena Services and Feast Day Celebrations a success.  Bishop Dominic Savio then solemnly blessed the people Assembled at this large gathering with the True Relic of the Holy Cross, as Mass ended .  Families then went to the Holy Cross Oratory to kiss the Relic in veneration and collect a box of refreshments and boiled gram from volunteers.

          

    Resident volunteers organized an entertainment program.  They honoured elders and social activists in the area by requesting Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Cunha to present each of them with a small useful gift and certificate to rounds of applause. Thereafter, talented young children and youth entertained the audience on stage with songs and dance, individually and as a group to make this Feast Day Celebration a truly memorable and happy event. The Program ended with enthusiastic combined singing of the song ‘HEAL THE WORLD‘ by the stage artists and audience.

     

    Compiled by Tyronne Concescio, Vincent Mascarenhas,  Photographs by Stan Baptista.

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  • Flavours of the Village – 14th April 2018

    Flavours of the Village – 14th April 2018

       

    The Managing Committee of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association (ALM) organised the third Food Festival “Flavours of the Village” at St. Isabel’s School on Saturday, 14th April 2018, evening. Home chefs from Matharpacady Village and its environs prepared a wide range of delicacies, namely snacks, meals, and desserts, which they displayed in their individual stalls. Committee Members, Mrs. Charmaine Vongeyer, Mrs. Renie Baptista, Mr. Clyde Soares, Mr. Dennis Baptista, Mrs. Carole Viegas alongwith our President, Mr Percy D’Souza did an excellent job in coordinating and getting all the food items prepared, displayed and moderately priced. These included sandwiches, rolls, wraps, dishes of pork, chicken, mutton, fish and a live barbeque tandoori chicken stall manned by Master Barbeque Chef, Rudolph Saldin. Soft drinks were available to quench one’s thirst. Also home made pickles, and masalas were on sale. There was also a Pink Panther stall looked after Ms. Beverly D’Souza, with a wide range of art and craft works and items on display at very moderate prices. Thanks to generous donations of these items, made by Dr. Gerald Mascarenhas, Mr. Percy D’Souza and others.

    Mr Dennis Baptista, our Vice President, welcomed the invitees who were around 200 people to this Village Food Fiesta on a beautiful summer evening. He hoped all invitees would take part in the games, sing, dance, make merry and enjoy the wide range of authentic homemade snacks, delicacies and dishes, all moderately priced. He stressed that the purpose of these Food Festivals and the many events the Welfare Association organises year after year are meant to bind people and families together in the spirit of friendship so that we can effectively tackle civic and other social issues. Our silent and dedicated members and volunteers – Mr. Clyde Soares and Mr. Gerard Baptista welcomed each and every guest at the entrance. An efficient team in the hall ably handled the donor coupon counters for eatable and soft drinks supervised by Mr. Gerard Viegas, Mr. Ignatius Fernandes and Mr. Clifford Concescio. The Committee Members Mrs. Selma Pulical Ms. Vidhyashri Veloo, and Mr. Canute Monteiro also organised amusing and exciting games for children and adults like Musical Chairs, Fishing the Alphabets to form the word “Flavours of the Village”. Young kiddies enjoyed themselves with the pulsating music while showcasing their skills with the Hula Hoop. A giant Snakes and Ladders game board on which both children and adults could participate drew large crowds who cheered on the players. Winners were awarded prizes for all these games. A quick game of Housie in between kept the crowd engrossed in ticking away their numbers for the various prizes awarded.  Mr. Bernard, the DJ provided a wide range of music and Karaoke throughout the function.             

                  

    Most of the children and adults patronised many of the stalls, took part in the games and sat down to enjoy the tasty dishes they bought. Their favourable comments and feedback gladdened the hearts of the home made chefs. Many food counters ran out of snack and food items quickly as hungry visitors relished the home cooked goodies, picking up takeaways for their loved ones at home.  

    The President, Mr. Percy D’Souza then announced the prize winners of the Raffle Draw. The First Prize was awarded to Ms. Alisha Paiva, the Second Prize to Mr. Ignatius Fernandes,  the Third Prize was awarded to Mr. Rajendra Veloo, and the Fourth Prize to Mr. Anoop Chakravarthy. The names of Consolation Prize winners were announced for each raffle list. The lucky winners received their prizes with much applause from all around.

       

    Mr. Dennis Baptista gave the vote of thanks – to the President, Mr. Percy D’Souza and all the members of the Managing Committee and other volunteers. He made special mention and the Committee’s most grateful thanks to all the Home Chefs who took great pains to prepare, bring to the venue and serve everyone such a delicious repast. He thanked the DJ, Mr. Bernard for the music and Karaoke. and most importantly the visitors and guests, for making the Flavours of the Village a grand success. He also thanked the Management of St. Isabel’s School for their constant support to the Association and M/s Kharwa Decorators for providing and arranging all the amenities and sound system.

    Compiled by Mr. Tyronne Concescio and Mr. Stanislaus Baptista

    Photographs – Courtesy Mr. Stanislaus Baptista

     

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  • The Way of the Cross -25th March 2018

    The Way of the Cross -25th March 2018

    Palm Sunday 25th March 2018, which is the beginning of Holy Week, was observed by all Christians all over the world & in a very special way by the parishioners of the Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Dockyard Road. This day also marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The. Stations of the Cross was organized by Zones 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 of the parish. The Stations of the Cross covered various areas of the above mentioned zones. The Introduction and First Station commenced at All Saints Home where the parishioners had gathered in large numbers.  The procession wound its way to various parts of the other zones with the participants singing hymns and reciting the Rosary. The Fourteenth Station culminated at The Holy Cross Oratory  in Matharpacady Village. Rev. Fr. Jegaraj, Provincial of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers gave the solemn blessing after the Stations of the Cross. This large gathering showed Christian Unity in the Family & Parish. At the various Stations, the zonal representatives had kept drinking water to quench the thirst of the participants due to the excessive heat. After the final blessing, the participants were handed out homemade chutney sandwiches, wafers and a pack of Frooti.

     A Big  Thank You to All The Organisers & everyone who took part, thus making this event a memorable one.

    May the Holy Week make us holy !

     

    Compiled by : Glen Vongeyer

    Photographs : Courtesy Stanislaus Baptista

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