Thanksgiving Mass and Parish Day marks the Centenary of the Foundation of St. Lawrence Parish, Belle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 01 November 2010: The day that has been eagerly awaited by the parishioners of St. Lawrence Church, Belle dawned on 1 November 2010, the day on which the entire parish community as one family gathered in the church by 10.15 am to celebrate the Centenary of the foundation of their parish exactly a hundred years ago on 2 November 1910. This was the day that the parish community had reserved to thank the Almighty God and their patron Saint, St. Lawrence for the gift of the parish, remember all the parish priests and assistant parish priests who had helped in the growth of the parish and all those lay people who had preserved the faith for the present generation and also manifest their  solidarity and brotherhood by sharing the meal that has been prepared by the parishioners themselves  under the supervision of four eminent caterers of the parish.

 

Fr. Joswey Fernandes, parish priest in his introductory address welcomed the chief celebrant, Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza and other guest priests and all the parishioners to the Centenary Thanksgiving Mass.

 

The Thanksgiving Mass started with the grand procession of the altar servers, members of the Parish Pastoral Council, all men dressed in dhoti, white shirt and shawl and women in similar coloured saris, members of the Liturgical Committee and all those past vice presidents and secretaries of the Parish Pastoral Council, those parishioners to be honoured and felicitated from the residence of the priests through the main entrance of the church towards the altar. Each of them carried a lighted candle and placed on the specially kept candle stand in front of the main altar totaling hundred candles, each representing a year of the past hundred years of the existence of the parish.

 

In order to mark the Centenary celebration of the foundation of the parish, the chief celebrant of the Thanksgiving Mass, Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza, the former parish priest and the builder of the magnificent new church building five years ago along with other celebrants- Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Arun Mendonca, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Maxim Pinto, Fr. Dancy Martis and Fr. George D’Souza of the Kodialbail Press and the vice president and secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, Henry Fernandes and Mrs. Meera Lobo ceremonially lighted the candle.

 

In his introductory remarks, Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza expressed happiness to be part of the Centenary celebration of the foundation of the parish and recalled the service rendered by all the former priests and parishioners.

 

 

There was overwhelming participation by the parishioners in the Thanksgiving Mass. The church was packed to the capacity. The entire congregation actively participated in singing hymns  and reciting prayers. The parish choir led by Fr. Paul Sequeira with melodious singing raised the spirit of the congregation to new height.

 

Fr. Dancy Martis OFM (Cap), a native of Moodubelle,  in his homily highlighted the message of the Gospel of the day emphasizing on the Sermon on the Mount. He further said that as the parish celebrates the Centenary of the foundation of the parish through the Thanksgiving Mass and observation of the Parish Day, we should introspect the condition of our own families. He pointed out the problems faced by modern families due to materialistic pursuits and lack of love, affection and concern for the members.  He emphasized the fact that the family that prays and eats together remains united.

 

All the members of the Parish Pastoral Council participated in the colourful offertory procession and presented various consumer items such as fruits, vegetables, coconuts and grains to the chief celebrant that were kept in front of the altar.

 

Fr. Lancy Saldanha recited the thanksgiving prayer at the end of the Mass and the choir sang the thanksgiving hymn. Fr. Joswey Fernandes thanked Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza, the chief celebrant of the Thanksgiving Mass, Fr. Dancy Martis for his excellent homily and all the priests as well as parishioners for their whole hearted participation in the Thanksgiving Mass. The Mass ended with the hymn in honour of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of Belle Parish.

 

Following the solemn Thanksgiving Mass a brief stage function was held in the church. Fr. Joswey Fernandes presided over the function.  J.B. Miranda welcomed the guests and the parishioners. At the outset the book consisting of satirical stories titled ‘Kathkutli.Com’ in Konkani written by Alban David Prakash Alva (Bhotam Boliye) was released by Fr. Joswey Fernandes. Bhotam Boliye was also felicitated at the same time.

 

Thereafter all those couples who have completed 60 years and more of their married life were felicitated by Fr. Paul Sequeira: These couples are: Lawrence and Seraphine Saldanha and John and Agnes D’Souza  from St. Joseph Ward;  and Andrew Gregory and Dulcin Lobo from St. Peter II Ward.

 

Fr. Lancy Saldanha honoured the previous vice presidents of the Parish Pastoral Council: Augustine Lobo and Charles Quadros from Holy family Ward; J.B. Miranda from Jesu Rai Ward; Ignatius Monis from St. Thomas II Ward; Leo Simon Fernandes from St. Francis Xavier II Ward; Frederick D’Souza from St. Joseph Ward. The present vice president, Henry Fernandes was also felicitated on this occasion.

 

Fr. Arun Mendonca felicitated the previous secretaries of the Parish Pastoral Council: Leo Simon Fernandes from St. Francis II Ward; Charles D’Souza and Elias D’Souza from St. Isidore Ward; Edward Noronha from St. Peter II Ward; Peter Raphael Aranha from Sacred Heart II Ward. The present secretary, Mrs. Meera Lobo was also honoured at this occasion.

 

 

Rev. Dr.  Valerian D’Souza  Mendonca honoured all the  Gurkars who had served their wards for more than ten years: Abraham Fernandes and Charles Quadros from Holy Family Ward; Isaac D’Souza from St. Joseph Ward; Bernard D’Souza and Francis Lobo from  St. Francis Xavier I Ward;  William Alva and Denis Alva from St. John the Baptist I Ward; Jacinta D’Souza and A.K. Alva from Sacred Heart II Ward; Antony Menezes from St. Thomas I Ward;  Leo Simon Fernandes and Paul Fernandes from St. Francis Xavier II Ward; Felix D’Souza from St. Paul II Ward;  Baptist Lobo and Charles D’Souza from St. Isidore Ward; Ignatius Monis and Robert D’Souza from St. Thomas II Ward; Albert Fernandes and Henry Fernandes from Fatima Ward and A.G. D’Souza from Jesu Rai Ward.

 

Fr. Maxim Pinto, the Director of the Assisi Nilaya felicitated the members of the Girls’ Volleyball team of the Church Aided Higher Primary School that had won the tournament at the Zonal held at Radha Nayak Memorial High School, Yennehole. Sr. Vineetha, who had trained this team, was also felicitated.

 

Fr. Dancy Martis felicitated the winners and participants in the elocution competition conducted by the Catholic Sabha. Dr. Eugene D’Souza -Media Coordinator of Bellevision.com, former President of Bellevision (UAE) Ronald Saby D’Souza , photographer-Anil Alva, decorator Clement Castelino, electrician Roshan Castelino were honoured by Fr. George D’Souza.

 

Fr. Paul Sequeira felicitated Pravin Castelino-proprietor of the Best Caterers, Henry Alva-proprietor of the Preetham Caterers, Ivan Castelino-proprietor of the Golden Caterers and Felix D’Sa-proprietor of Alwyn Caterers, chief cook- Henry Monis. Chief sponsors of the community lunch-Conrad Mendonca and Henry Fernandes were honoured by Fr. Joswey Fernandes.  All the priests of the parish-Fr. Joswey, Fr. Paul, Fr. Arun and Fr. Lancy were honoured by Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza.

 

In his message to the parishioners Dr. Valerian D’Souza narrated the conditions under which Fr. Casmir Fernandes had built the church and the parish and said that after one hundred years another Fr. Fernandes-Fr. Joswey Fernandes is the parish priest on the occasion of the Centenary celebration. He gave credit to all the past parish priests for developing the parish. However, Dr. Valerian D’Souza said that priests may come and go but it is the parishioners who have been chiefly responsible for the progress of the parish and saluted them.  While complimenting the parishioners on the occasion of the Centenary celebration, Dr. Valerian wished them and their children well, and hoped that there would be unity and cooperation in the future as well.

 

 

Fr. Joswey Fernandes in his message highlighted on the motto of the Centenary ‘Let us build the parish unitedly’ and appreciated the unity and cooperation of the parishioners which was manifested on the previous day through voluntary service for the preparation for the Parish Day. He complimented the sponsors and caterers for their excellent cooperation and work.

 

Mrs. Meera Lobo, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council proposed the vote of thanks.  The entire programme was excellently compeered by Peter Raphael Aranha, headmaster of Church Aided Higher School.

 

Following the stage programme at 1.15 pm, all parishioners participated in the community lunch. First, the children and elderly persons were served food, followed by others. There were 12 counters which were well managed by the volunteers properly guided by Charles Quadros and Sylvester Mathias. All the parishioners enjoyed the food and the get-together.