Catholic Sabha organises Elders’ Day in Moodubelle

Report by Eugene Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 21 March 2010: As an integral part of the Centenary Celebrations of the foundation of the Parish of St. Lawrence, the Catholic Sabha Unit of Moodubelle organised the Elders’ Day on Sunday, 21st March 2010. Prior to the programme in the Parish Hall, Elders attended the 10 am Mass jointly offered by Fr. Charles Lewis, former parish priest of Moodubelle and presently the parish priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntal Nagar.

The programme in the hall was started with the hymn in honour of the Holy Spirit and the reading and meditation on the passage from the New Testament. Chief Guest, Fr. Charles Lewis, parish priest of Moodubelle-Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council-Mr. Henry Fernandes and Mrs. Meera Lobo, the present and next Presidents of the Catholic Sabha-Mr. Cyril D’Souza and Mr. Monthu Castelino and the President of the Udupi Varado Catholic Sabha-Mr. Sanjay Andrade were on the dais.

Mr. Ignatius Monis, the Treasurer of the Catholic Sabha read out the names of those elders who had passed away during the last year and a minutes silence was observed in their memory. Mr. Cyril D’Souza, the present President of the Catholic Sabha welcomed the guests and the elders.

In his address, Fr. Charles Lewis pointed out that by organising a special day for the elders, those elders who could not attend the church services throughout the last year for one reason or the other could make it a point to attend the Mass and the programme. Earlier with large families, the elders had a strong support system. However, with the children moving away in search of better employment after education, the elders are left to mend for themselves. But this situation is inevitable. Fr. Charles Lewis advised the elders to accept this situation and be strong by maintaining good mental and physical health and accepting the will of God.

The members of the Catholic Sabha presented a short skit on family life followed by few games. Two of the senior most elders-Mr. Thomas Menezes (95) and Mrs. Veronica  Saldanha (95) were honoured by presenting them gifts.

Fr. Joswey Fernandes in his message quoted Mother Theresa saying, “If we judge others, we will have no time to love them.” He said that there is loneliness in families, especially among the elders. It is important that we should age gracefully and take care of our mental and physical health by following proper dietary habits. Prayers and positive thinking should guide us in our old age.

Mr. Sanjay Andrade-President of the catholic Sabha-Udupi Varado expressed his happiness to be present at the celebration of the Elders’ Day at Moodubelle and wished the elders good health and happiness. Mr. Henry Fernandes, the Vice President of the Parish Council also wished well to the elders. Mr. Monthu Castelino, the newly elected president of the Moodubelle Unit of the Catholic Sabha proposed the vote of thanks. The programme ended with lunch. Nearly 100 elders above the age of 70 years  participated in the programme.