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
