Tag: matharpacady village

The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised the “Monsoon Splash” on Sunday 18th June 2017 from 4.30 pm onwards at St. Isabel’s High School. The core organising team led by Vidhyashri Veloo, along with the other committee members, Charmaine Vongeyer, Renie Baptista, Selma Pulical, Dennis Baptista, Percy D’Souza, Clyde Soares, Canute Monteiro, Joe Pereira, Tyronne Concescio, Stanislaus Baptista and Dr. Gerald Mascarenhas meticulously planned this event with a series of distinctive, amusing and eye-catching games.

The Rains played their part but did not dampen the spirit of the over hundred participants who enjoyed getting wet and prancing in the rain. The assembled participants were then broken down into four teams by the organisers, under the leadership of their captains as below :

Captain                       Team Name                Colour

Wendy Patrao             Thunder                       Red

Mellicent Fernandes   Lightning                     Yellow

Avina D’Souza             Rainbow                      Blue

Kurt Baptista               Puddles                        Green

At the outset Vidhyashri Veloo, welcomed all the participants and briefed the four captains on the rules for the evening. The four captains were then called upon to recite the Pledge before the opening of the games. The captains affirmed to abide by the rules, play sportingly and spread the message of unity and friendship to all. The team winning first place was eligible for 10 points, while teams coming second would earn 7 points, followed by 4 points for the team winning third place and only one point for the team coming in fourth.

The participants were divided into five age groups :  3 to 6 years, 7 – 15 years, 16 – 26 years, 27 – 49 years and those 50 years and above.

Each team had an average of 25 persons ranging from children from 3 years to senior citizens in their 70s.  There were around two to three games for each of the above age groups. In addition, there were three group games – Treasure Hunt, Snake Trust Game and Snakes and Ladders – for participants of all age groups.

Note : Please refer to Monsoon Splash – Part 2 for more details and photographs

Compiled by Stanislaus Baptista, with inputs from Vidhyashri Veloo

Photographs courtesy – Stanislaus Baptista

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The Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory organized the traditional Novena Services every evening from 22^nd April 2017 onwards culminating in the Feast Day Celebrations on Monday, 1^st May 2017.  Daily, young Prayer Leaders led the well attended services on the recital of the Rosary [dedicating each decade for a particular intention], the litany of Our Lady of the Rosary, litany of the Cross and litany of St. Roque [patron saint of the Village who had protected the residents from the scourge of the deadly plague that ravaged Bombay]. Boiled gram was distributed by helpful aunties and on Vespers evening ragda puri as a generous treat from an uncle.

On Monday, 1^st May 2017, a large gathering of over 350 residents, friends and well wishers gathered in the village center around the altar on a stage, with a backdrop and under a canopy of decorative lights leading to the illuminated Holy Cross Oratory.  The Celebrant – Reverend Father Shavito Correia [St. John the Evangelist Church and Judge at the Ecclesiastical Court, Archbishop’s House] wended his way from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, “Eymard Cottage”, behind the altar server holding aloft the Relic of the True Cross, to the bedecked altar to the melodious strains of that beautiful hymn “The World You ave Made Is A Beautiful World”.Have Made Is A Beautiful World”.  Father Shavito, In a very inspiring and thought provoking homily expressed his happiness of being invited and welcomed in Matharpacady Village as he was born and resided in nearby Dockyard, comparing it to Jesus welcome in Capernaum. He expressed his joy at his homecoming to celebrate the 142^nd Anniversary Holy Mass for the families in the village and of the  neighbourhood.  He repeatedly stressed on the many values and benefits of the family drawing inspiration from the holy family of Mother Mary, St. Joseph and Jesus.  He spoke of the need of each family member being a conscious and active participant in building and strengthening family bonds by making and finding time to be together, speak and discuss matters with one another, pray together and share a meal as a family.  Father Shavito spoke of the both the very visible and hidden dangers posed by the rapid advances of information technology, social media and networking whereby individuals and laity, and even the clergy, are glued to their mobiles and smartphones, and have no tine to share and grow in family needs and relationships and thus sadly have gone astray.  He reiterated that at this Eucharistic Feast Mass all of us should pray fervently and invoke the blessings of our Risen Lord to guide us, protect us and bless all our family members to follow in the footsteps of His family.  Father Shavito blessed the congregation with the Relic of the True Cross as Holy Mass ended.  The President, Mrs. Carole Viegas expressed the deep gratitude to Father Shavito on behalf of the Managing Committee, as well as our thanks to Father Frank Fernandes, Parish Priest, Rosary Church. 

Families made their way to the Oratory to kiss and venerate the Relic of the True Cross, and thereafter collect their refreshment box of tasty goodies. Folk mingled around center stage exchanging feast day greetings and settled down for two games of bingo and an endearing entertainment program staged by young children. Feedback from residents and friends said that the Holy Mass and inspiring homily were meaningful and the celebrations most enjoyable.

Tyronne Concescio, Honorary Secretary, Holy Cross Committee

Photographs courtesy : Stan Baptista

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The eight group of around 180 visitors from Germany visited our Village on 12th and 13th February 2017. These tourists have been coming to Mumbai by Cruise Ships starting from  Dubai, then travelling to Mumbai, New Mangalore, Goa, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and then back to Dubai. They had come by the Cruise Ship “Aida Aura”. Their stopover in Mumbai is mainly for one night or maximum two nights. One of their must visit places while in Mumbai is to our Heritage Village at Matharpacady. Besides a walk around our heritage precinct to explain the history of the various landmarks, the visitors are treated to snacks/brunch by Hansel Baptista at his residence. Almost all the visitors are surprised that such a quaint, quiet little place exists in the heart of the city.

Note : Photographs of visitors who visited our village on 13th February 2017.

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The Managing Committee of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Residents’ Welfare Association ALM worked in unison to decorate the many by lanes of Matharpacady Village with illuminative decorative symbols of stars, Christmas trees, hearts, hexagonal and triangular shaped illustrative lanterns fitted with mini loudspeakers. Our youth creatively put up the Crib in the Holy Cross Oratory, which was flanked just outside by a decorated live towering Christmas tree. Resident families spruced up their homes with fresh coats of paint, buntings, frenzied shopping, Church choir and other activity practices. Tantalising aromas of traditional food, baked goodies and delicacies wafted the air, making mouths drool in lip-smacking anticipation of festive visits to various aunties homes.

The Managing Committees organized a well attended Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday night, 27th December 2016 at the Holy Cross Oratory, presided over by Rev. Fr. Frank Fernandes, Parish Priest, Rosary Church. Vincent was instrumental in preparing this service and the choir. Light refreshments were served to all and families enjoyed some brief entertainment too – A Christmas Quiz and a game of Housie.

On 31st December 2016, many residents attended the Thanksgiving Vigil and Holy Mass at Church. Families ushered in New Year’s Day meeting and greeting loved ones, relatives and friends. Some socialized at house parties and seasonal receptions in the city on New Year’s night.

Families in Matharpacady pray and hope for a happy and peaceful year ahead for all their near and dear ones, the Parish Community, the Universal Church and India, our Motherland.

Compiled by Tyronne Concescio. Photographs courtesy – Stan Baptista

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