Doha: Pamboorians celebrates maiden Parish Feast in Qatar

By Philip Mudartha, Qatar
Bellevision Media Network

Doha, 13 December 2010: It has been less than six months since the ice-breaking inaugural meet of Pamboorians in Qatar. The parishioners met again on Friday, 10th December 2010, a day most of them can take a breather from work here in Qatar. This occasion marked the first ever collective celebration of their Parish Feast.

 

Pamboor Church

 

Pamboor Parish of Holy Cross marks its annual feast on Wednesday, the 8th Dec. It falls within the period of advent, a part of the year, when faithful prepare themselves spiritually for the coming of their savior amongst them, by prayer, sacrifice and service. It is befitting that Pamboor parishioners joined the Manasa School in celebrating World Disability Day during the week.

 

The Pamboorians in Qatar too had voluntarily donated to put together a small kitty in support of Manasa. Some of them pledged support to the medical camp to be held shortly for the benefit of people of all communities. This medical camp is also to be held at Manasa.

 

The Pamboorians also pledged to sponsor the Christmas 2010 Edition of "Khurascho Tallo", which is distributed free to resident parishioner households and its diaspora. This parish bulletin has been published since its inception in 1998, and has played its part in community building. Most Pamboorians in Qatar are its founder members.

 

Lest an impression is given that the marking of the feast was meant only for the charitable purposes, let me hasten to add that the parishioners came to the venue with enthusiasm and left with fulfillment. Venues are not easy to come by, in this city of spiraling rents. The spacious venue was arranged by Mr. Prakash Noronha, who also is active in the Konkanni Speaking Community of the Parish of Doha.

 

It is not in the fitness of things to cherry pick names and give credits to individuals for what was a team effort: putting home cooked meals together for nearly four dozen people, consisting of traditional mangalorean dishes. In that very spirit, this story does not bring any photographs; not that, we didn’t shoot them!

 

And of course, the impromptu singing of both devotional, folk-lore and popular Konkanni songs. Reminding us of good old days, back home.

 

What is done differently is the song and dance sequences and games most partying people enjoy. With youngsters and kinds, that part of it can’t be traditional, trust me. But then, parish feasts are about coming together, bonding together and renewing kinship. It is not about conforming to any known format.