Inaugural Meet of Pamboor Parishioners in Qatar

By Philip Mudartha, Doha-Qatar
Bellevision Media Network

Doha, 18 June 2010: The  Qatar resident Parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Pamboor held their inaugural meet today, Friday, the 18th June 2010 in Doha. The meet was a culmination of planning and organizing efforts of enthusiasts. Fashioned after the parishioner’s associations of neighbors like Moodu-Belle, Shirva, Shankerapura and Kanajar, the association began with gusto.

 

The event programs were managed by Mrs. Dorothy Noronha, who wove her impromptu words into prayers with as much skill as we do with ’mogri kalle’ back home. She led from front with her articulation of the vision, mission, values and purpose of the meet, and invoked Our Lord as the ’mestri’ of our ’sangh’. Following her lead, the elder parishioner, Mr. Philip D’ Souza, took us down the memory lane: the years when our ancestors belonged to three different parishioners, how the vision of Rev. Fr. Abundius D’ Souza of Belle Parish and his uncle and then Parish Priest of Shirva became a reality on 13th May 1965 when our Parsih was founded, how the choice fell on ’Tantiguri’ as the seat of Holy Cross Chapel, (which was christened as Shantipura), and our identity of "Pamboor" identity was established. He recalled the hard work of Fr. Denis D’ Souza and the sacrifices of our elders in laying the foundations of this community of the faithful, eventually becoming a thriving and inspiring center of Christian faith. Thus, the parameters of Christian faith, Konkanni language and Pamboor Parish geography defines our association. With faith, love, trust,m hope and enthusiam, inspired by our own faith in ourselves, we envision an active future for our ’sangh’.

 

 

Wilfred Pinto, CYM leader from Pamboor, in his younger days not so long in the past, thanked everyone who made this meet possible and those who made it a lovely noon by their presence.

 

With funny games for men, women and teenagers as well as kid games, conducted by our energetic Dorothy with her interspersed jokes, we did not know how time passed and an alarm was sounded by the kitchen staff: we must relish the  sumptuous dishes laid out with careful selection of menu to appeal to our tastes. Prakash Noronha, Godfry Noronha, Pradeep Noronha, and Wilson Sequeira supported the program like the ’gurkar’ does back home.

 

A beginning is made. With professed faith in the ideals of the community and blessings of Holy Cross, the ’sangh’ will march on to promote its values and serve the purpose of its existence. As the twenty-seven members concluded praising the Lord with ’Laudate’, the next meet was announced: At Pradeep’s house, to celebrate ’monti fest’ as a community.