Udupi: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima celebrated
By Benedict Noronha
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi, 07 July 2011: The Fatima ward of the Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, their patron, on Sunday July 3, 2011.
The festive Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Rupesh Madtha, the assistant parish priest of the parish. The celebrant in his homily emphasized the importance of the Christian faith in our life like St Thomas who though first doubted the resurrection of the Lord, later, after seeing Jesus and His wounds, proclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” Strong and undivided faith in God is the corner stone of Christian life and every Christian must have full faith to enjoy the fruits of his religion. The ward members joined the congregation in scripture readings and offertory procession.
After the Mass the ward members, more than a hundred, gathered in the Don Bosco Hall for a social function. Rev. Fr Fredrick Mascarenhas, the parish priest was the chief guest. After community breakfast Mr. Edward D’souza welcomed the gathering. Ward secretary Mr. Alphonse D’costa read out a brief report of the activities of the ward during the last year.
Fr Mascarenhas honoured with roses the ward leaders Mrs. Pauline D’souza, Mrs. Veeda Periera, Mr. Robert D’Silva, Mrs. Winnie D’souza, Mrs. Laveena D’souza, Mrs. Leena Cabral, Mr. Edward D’souza and Mr. Alphonse D’costa for their services to the community. Two new ward leaders were chosen; Delton Crasto representing Mandavi Court and Prescilla D’souza representing Shanthi Nagar South. They replaced Mrs. Laveena D’souza and Mrs. Pauline D’souza (retired) respectively.
There were games conducted by Mrs. Sumitha Pereira. The following were the winners:
American Housie- Housie: Mrs. Thomson Robinson and Mrs. Gilbert D’Almeida.
Recitation of alphabets in reverse order: Coleen D’souza and Elton Alva.
Academic achievement: Coleen D’souza, Elton Alva, Hubert Suaris, Christen D’souza, Deepti D’souza and Poonam D’souza. Roylet Noronha was also awarded for being the first rank holder and Gold Medalist at Nitte Engineering College.
Best teacher award 2010 went to Mr. Alphonse D’costa.
Lucky person of the day award was bagged by Deepti, the birth day girl, who had celebrated her birth day the previous day.
The chief guest Fr. Mascarenhas exhorted the members to love one another, live like brothers and work united. Mr. Alphonse D’costa Compeered the programme and Mrs. Laveena D’souza proposed a vote of thanks. The gathering ended with a hymn in honour of Mother Mary.