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.
Tag: holy cross oratory
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140th Anniversary Cross Feast Celebrations
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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Visitors from USA visit Matharpacady Village
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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Fiesta Tradicional Comida
The idyllic and picturesque bylanes of Matharpacady Heritage Village in Mazagaon, Mumbai, were transformed on Saturday, 22nd November 2014. Gifted culinary amateur chefs were busy throughout the day preparing tasty snacks, meals and desserts for the second annual food fiesta that evening. The Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association was showcasing for its members, their families, guests and well-wishers the “FIESTA TRADICIONAL COMIDA” at St. Isabel’s High School Grounds from 5.00 P.M. onwards. Matharpacady Village resident families were cooking up a storm of traditional culinary delights, be it East Indian, Goan, Mangalorean or ‘hotchpotch’! Throughout that day the tantalizing aromas of home cooked goodies wafted in the air teasing the taste buds of visitors. Folk could not wait for the evening to arrive.
The Managing Committee of the Residents’ Welfare Association led by their dynamic President, Mr Percy D’Souza took great pains to organize the Traditional Food Fiesta – well laid out donor entry coupons in exchange for snacks, refreshments and meals laid out around the periphery corridors and compound at St. Isabel’s. Julius Valladares was the coordinator of the Managing Committee of the MRWA in planning and organising this event. All visitors were accorded a hearty welcome by the ebullient duo of Merwyn D”Mello and Xenia Alphonso who anchored the Fiesta. Joceyln did the honours with an excellent sound system. Around 5.30 P.M. the evening of fun, games and entertainment got off to a rousing start. An efficient team in the hall ably handled the donor coupon counters for eatable and soft drinks supervised by Gerard Viegas, MRWA Assistant Treasurer. Amateur culinary village chefs and their assistants manned their earmarked food counters in the porch, corridor and central courtyard. They smilingly dished out their goodies of appetizing snacks, delicacies and take away food dishes at nominal prices.
Xenia and Merwyn set the Fiesta abuzz with much merriment, fun and games, inviting the large gathering of children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens onto the floor. After a rousing grand march which set feet tapping, hands clapping and bodies swaying to the beat of music, a introductory game of drawing playing cards from decks of playing cards led to mixed teams of diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades spaced around the courtyard by the Joker Merwyn. Innovative team games – Hanky Panky, Moving it Up, This Blows – began. These were meticulously planned by Merwyn and Xenia, who were vociferously supported by an enthusiastic audience who shouted and encouraged competing teams as they raced to the finish. Teams competed in eight events, each of the games was immensely enjoyed by all the members of the teams and the vociferous spectators. Stan Baptista did a masterful job in planning and projecting on screen an enigmatic quiz based ON EVENTS, PLACES AND RESIDENTS OF Matharpacady Heritage Village, from the yesteryears to date. Team members scratched their heads, racked their brains and came up with various answers. Xenia and Merwyn with Julius, urged team members on. The scoreboard highlighted each team’s score. All the teams were awarded prizes in ranking order to the rousing applause of spectators. Merwyn made two dramatic and startling appearances midway among the games and dancing sessions – lo and behold, Merwyn the Clown regaled the kiddies and audience with his antics. Yet again Merwyn the ebullient Charlie Chaplin stole the hearts of one and all, with Xenia doing a fantastic job of compering the entertainment program.
Merwyn “Charlie Chaplin” and Xenia led the teams and spectators in the Grand Parade to the pulsating music dished out by maestro Joceyln. Folks danced the evening away with fox trots, waltzes, jive and the Masala in gay abandon. The snack, soft drinks and meal counters saw steady streams of visitors. 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 vote of thanks was given by Julius to Comperes Merwyn D’Mello, Xenia Alphonso and Joceyln Pereira, to all the Traditional Home Chefs, the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, the Managing Committee Members, and most importantly the visitors and guests, for making the Food Fiesta a grand success. Around 10.30 P.M. the Culinary Evening to remember drew to a close.
Write up – Courtesy Tyronne Concescio
Photographs – Courtesy Andrew D’Sylva
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International Students Visit Matharpacady
Around 30 students from the overseas exchange programme of Dhirubhai Ambani International school visited Matharpacady on Wednesday, 22nd October ’14. The students were from Spain, the Czech Republic, & England. Hansel Baptista took them around the village giving them an insight into the history of our village. (more…)
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Guided walks through Mumbai – Mumbai Mirror, 16th September 2014
Inspired by the European Heritage Days, Alliance Francaise returns for the fifth consecutive year with its Heritage Week — and the guided tours that accompany it. Rafique Baghdadi and Sancia Sequeira will guide folks on three hour long tours, focusing on different parts of the city. Baghdadi’s trails include a tour of the city’s charming Irani cafes (September 25, 9.30 am), discovering the rich history of Mazgaon (September 21, 9 am) and exploring religious sites in Byculla (September 23, 9.30 am). Sequeira conducts a tour of Bandra (September 20, 9 am), a walk through the slums of Dharavi (September 22, 9.30 am) and a look at the South Indian communities of Matunga (September 24, 9 am). (more…)
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Tourists visit to Matharpacady Village from Portugal
A bus load of tourists (25-30) on a holiday to India visited our Village on Tuesday, 9th September ’14. They were staying at the Trident, at Bandra Kurla Complex and were visiting places in and around the city of Portuguese interest. They had already visited Daman & Diu, the Vasai (Bassein) Fort and now our Heritage Village before proceeding to visit Gloria Church at Byculla. (more…)
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Trending Today – Mumbai Mirror, 15th August 2014
Site specific
Holy Cross Oratory
Ali Akbar Mehta’s recent show documents the changing landscape of Mumbai’s first suburbs, Mazgaon and Wadibunder.As artist Ali Akbar Mehta settles on the mezzanine floor of Colaba’s alternative art space, Clark House Initiative, where his second-solo show, SITE : STAGE : STRUCTURE is on display, he tells you, “This space where we are sitting is a set-up of my maternal grandparents’ home, who lived in Mazgaon for 42 years; more than my entire life.” -
Mirzas make the most of HAM in silver years
Article that appeared in DNA of 14th July 2014
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New Year Eve Celebrations – 1980s
We are sure this will bring back memories of the New Year Eve Celebrations that we had year after year in Matharpacady.
