Journey with St. Lawrence to the Wards of Moodubelle Parish – XVII (St. Peter I Ward)

Report by Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

17. ST. PETER  I WARD

Moodubelle, 30 June 2010:
St. Peter: St. Peter was one of the most important of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Peter is known as Simon Peter, the son of Jona (John) and brother of Andrew. The name ‘Peter’ comes from the Aramaic term for ‘rock’ and Simon comes from the Greek for ‘hearing’. Peter’s name appears on all of the lists of apostles and his being called by Jesus appears in all three synoptic gospels as well as Acts. These texts are the only accounts of his life from this period and are thus the most reliable source of information about him.

Peter was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee. His brother Andrew was also an apostle. Most of Jesus’ twelve apostles remain largely silent through the gospels. However,  Peter  is often shown speaking. He is the first to confess that Jesus is the Messiah; he is also the only one depicted actively denying Jesus later on. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is shown as travelling widely to preach about Jesus.
Simon Peter was the most important leader of the early Christian Church and has been venerated in multiple churches and regarded as the first Pope by the Roman Catholic Church.  After working to establish the church of Antioch for seven years presiding as the city’s bishop and preaching to the ones who were scattered including Jews and Hebrew Christians in many places in Asia Minor, Peter went to Rome.

Though the year of his birth is unknown, it is certain that Peter died in Rome and that he was  martyred  during the reign of Emperor Nero, probably in 64. Testimony of his martyrdom is extensive. According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified on the Vatican Hill upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Lord Jesus. He was then buried on Vatican Hill, and excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica have unearthed his probable tomb, and his relics are now enshrined under the high altar of St. Peter’s Cathedral at vatican.

From the earliest days of the Church, Peter was recognized as the Prince of the Apostles and the first Supreme Pontiff (Pope). His seat at Rome has thus enjoyed the position of primacy over the entire Catholic Church. While St. Peter’s chief feast day is June 29, he is also honoured on February 22 and November 18. In liturgical art, he is depicted as an elderly man holding a key and a book. His symbols include an inverted cross, a boat, and the cock.

About the Ward: St. Peter I Ward is comparatively smaller with 19 families. The boundaries of the ward include-Moodubelle-Karkala Road towards the south, St Peter II Ward towards the north, Moodubelle Arbi Road towards the west and St. Anne I ward in the east. The sub-regions included in the ward are-part of Kappandakarya, Nittool and part of Cross Hill.

The Gurkarn of St. Peter I Ward is Mrs. Gracy Rebello. Besides being the ex-officio member of the Parish Council and Catholic Sabha, she is also the Secretary of Stree Sanghatana and a member of Namana Swasahaya Group.

Mrs.Gracy-Rebello (gurkarn)

  
Mrs. Gretta D’Souza & Mrs. Pricilla Aranha (Representatives)

In conducting various activities of the ward, Mrs. Gracy Rebello is assisted by two Representatives-Mrs. Pricilla Aranha and Mrs. Gretta D’Souza. Mrs. Pricilla Aranha is the member of Stree Sanghatana and Nava Chaitanya and Navodaya Swasahaya groups.

The members of the ward who have dedicated themselves to religious life include late Fr. Louis Fernandes S.J. who had served in the Ranchi Province; Sr. Renita Castelino (Holy Cross) daughter of Eliza and late Raymond Castelino who is a teacher in Hubli; Sr. Caresia D’Souza (CSST) daughter of Christine and late Lawrence D’Souza who is serving in St. Joseph’s Convent in Mandya.

Fr. Louis Fernandes S.J.

  
Sr. Canesia & Sr. Renita F.C

Among the lay persons, Victor Rebello had served as a teacher for many years in the Church Aided Higher Primary School and St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle before proceeding to Gulf.  William Aranha, son of late Eliza and John Aranha has made a name by developing  new concepts and launching  innovative brands in food industry that have made a mark in the Middle East and Canada. He lives in Canada with his family. He is one of the chief donors during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle. His brother Ronald Aranha is an engineer who works in Canada.

Mr. Victor Rebello

  
Mr. William Aranha & Mr. Valerian-Alva

The family of Alice and late Salvador Rebello has been a prominent family in St. Peter I Ward. Their eldest son William works in a bank in Canada, Charles after retiring from Gulf job takes care of the family back home, younger son John  Rebello has been a successful businessman in Mumbai. He is one of the most promising entrepreneurs from Moodubelle who rose from a very humble beginning to be one of the leading businessmen in air-conditioning in Mumbai, who runs the company named Aircare Engineers Private Limited. Helen Rebello works for Ajmal Perfumes in Dubai and Celine Mendonca is in Doha-Qatar.

  
John  Rebello & Neeta Suzanne Rebello

Neeta Suzanne Rebello, daughter of Charles and Gracy Rebello (Gurkarn) has recently earned the distinction of being the first to receive research scholarship instituted by the premier Konkani institution-Mandd Sobhann in memory of late Thomas Castelino. The research book that was produced by Neeta after nearly a year’s hard work titled ‘Mangalorean Konkani Music-Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ is an important work on the Mangalorean Konkani Music spread over a century. Besides being a research scholar, Neeta has been a multi-talented personality. Presently, Neeta is working as Assistant Labour Welfare Administrator, a Central Government department at Bangalore. Her younger sister Nikita is doing BA in Psychology. The family is well-known for its generous donations to the church and the school.

Simon and Anil D’Souza, sons of late Raymond and Lilly D’Souza are engineers and both of them work in Dubai. Another engineer in the ward is Ivan D’Souza, son of Isac and Eugene D’Souza who works in Mumbai. Another prominent person of the ward is Valerian Alva who is in London. His academic degrees include BCom, LLB and MA. He has started an Education Fund to sponsor the education of the needy children. This year he has provided financial help to 17 children from this Education Fund.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward: On Sunday, 20th June 2010 at 5 pm, the members of St. Anne I Ward under the leadership of Gurkar Charles Martis came in procession in front of the main gate of the Church where the members of St. Peter I Ward under the leadership of Gurkarn Gracy Rebello were waiting eagerly to receive St. Lawrence. In the presence of Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Gracy Rebello reverently received the saint and the members of both the wards went in procession to the residence of the Gurkarn singing hymns in honour of the saint.

On reaching the residence of the Gurkarn, the statue of St. Lawrence was installed on the pedestal and Fr. Joswey, after a brief introduction recited the Centenary Prayer along with the ward members. Fr. Joswey also blessed the house of the Gurkarn. Following the refreshments the members of both the wards dispersed while the statue remained in the house of Gracy Rebello.

On Monday, 21st June 2010, from 4 pm, St. Lawrence began his journey through the houses of Elizabeth and Charles D’Souza where the Saint rested for the night. On Tuesday, 22nd June the statue was taken to the residences of Simon Shaila D’Souza, Louis Fernandes, Pricilla D’Souza and finally George D’Souza where the statue was kept during the night.  On Wednesday, 23rd June from 4 pm, St. Lawrence paid visit to the houses of Leticia Saldanha where Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Assistant Parish Priest offered Mass for the elderly and sick  persons of the ward. The statue remained at the residence of Leticia Saldanha for the night.

On Thursday, 24th June, the journey of St. Lawrence continued to the remaining houses of Maxim Saldanha, Angeline Rebello, Clifford Martis, Celestine Alva and Christine D’Souza. On the evening of Friday, 25th June, Lilly D’Souza, Leo Aranha, Ancilla Menezes, Paul D’Souza and Victor Rebello welcomed St. Lawrence in their residences. On Saturday evening at 5 pm St. Lawrence was brought to the house of James Aranha where he stayed for the night.

As in other previous wards, the ward members accompanied St. Lawrence on his spiritual journey to each and every home of the ward where prayers, Rosaries, Gospel readings were taken up and novena and centenary prayers were recited and hymns were sung. Fr. Joswey blessed all the houses of the ward during the week.

Celebration of the Ward Feast: The get-together of the members and the Ward Feast were held on Sunday, 27th June 2010 at 12 noon at the residence of James-Pricilla Aranha.The guests included Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Henry Fernandes-Vice President and Meera Lobo-Secretary of the Parish Council, Sr. Naviditha and Sr. Ilien of Loreto Convent, and Gurkarns of the neighbouring wards.

The programme was anchored by  Inesh D’Souza. Pricilla Aranha, the representative of St. Peter I Ward welcomed the guests who were presented with roses. Juliet Saldanha read the report of the various activities undertaken by the ward members during the last year.
Fr. Joswey honoured the elderly persons of the ward who are above 70 years of age. These are: Celestine Aranha (86), Celestine Alva(77), Elizabeth Castelino(76), Victor Rebello (77), Alice Rebello (78), Lilly D’Souza (75) and Maxim Saldanha (73).

Similarly, the former Gurkars and Gurkarns and present Gurkarn of the ward were also honoured.   Late Robert Alva and late Salvador Rebello were remembered during this occasion. Henry Fernandes honoured  Alice Rebello, Lilly D’Souza, Simon D’Souza and Gracy Rebello.
Fr. Paul Sequeira felicitated the   students of the ward for their good performance in the PUC and SSLC examinations. These students are: Nikita and Mikka, First Class in PUC and Wilkinson-SSLC. Neetha Rebello was also honoured for her research book titled ‘Mangalorean Konkani Music-Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’. In her absence the honour was received by Neetha’s parents Gracy and Charles Rebello. In the absence of Victor Rebello who had given many years of service as teacher in both higher primary and high schools of Moodubelle, his wife received the honour from the hands of Fr. Paul.

There were few simple games conducted by Juliet Saldanha.  Meera Lobo, Secretary of the Parish Council gave away prizes to the winners. Meera Lobo and later Henry Fernandes regaled the audience with their jokes.

Henry Fernandes and Fr. Paul Sequeira conveyed their best wishes to the ward members on the occasion of their Ward Feast and appreciated their unity and programme. In his message, Fr. Joswey Fernandes said that the Centenary Year of the foundation of the Parish dedicated to St. Lawrence at Moodubelle gives us an opportunity to renew our threefold relations-relation with God, relation with nature and environment and relation with each other. Appreciating the activities of St. Peter I Ward, Fr. Joswey further said that though the ward is small the enthusiasm of the ward leaders and members and the cooperation among them was exemplary.

In emotion filled voice, two women members of the ward gave testimony of the miracles that they had experienced in their lives and families due to the intercession of St. Lawrence, the ‘Saint of Miracles’.

The Gurkarn of St. Peter I ward, Gracy Rebello proposed the vote of thanks and  Fr. Paul Sequeira recited the grace before the meal.
In the evening at 5 pm, the members of St. Peter I Ward led by Gracy Rebello, the Gurkarn went in procession to the junction of Arbi-Kappandakarya Road where the members of St. Peter II Ward led by their Gurkar Edward Noronha were eagerly waiting to receive St. Lawrence. In the presence of Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Gracy Rebello transferred the statue of St. Lawrence to Edward Noronha who led the procession to his residence.