Journey with St. Lawrence to the Wards of Moodubelle Parish - XIX (Holy Family Ward)

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

19. HOLY FAMILY WARD

Moodubelle, 14 July 2010:
Holy Family: The Holy Family is the name given to the family of Jesus: The Divine Son of God Jesus, his mother Mary, and his foster-father Joseph. Scripture tells us practically nothing about the first years and the boyhood of Child Jesus. All we know are the facts of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, flight of the family to Egypt, the return to Nazareth, and the incidents that occurred when the twelve-year-old boy accompanied his parents to Jerusalem. In her liturgy the Church hurries over this period of Christ’s life with equal brevity.

Devotion to the Holy Family is a recent development. The cult of the Holy Family grew in popularity in the 17th century, and several religious congregations have been founded under this title. The general breakdown of the family, however, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries prompted the popes, especially the far-sighted Leo XIII, to promote the observance of this feast with the hope that it might instil into Christian families something of the faithful love and the devoted attachment that characterize the family of Nazareth. The primary purpose of the Church in instituting and promoting this feast is to present the Holy Family as the model and exemplar of all Christian families.

On 26th October 1921, the Congregation of Rites, under Pope Benedict XV, included the Feast of the Holy Family into the Latin Rite general calendar. Until then it had been celebrated regionally. Popes before and including Benedict XV, especially Leo XIII, promoted the Feast of Holy Family as a way to counter the breakdown of the family unit. Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sundays, the Church celebrates the Holy Family Feast on December 30th. Until 1969, the Holy Family feast was kept on the first Sunday after the Epiphany. It was transferred to its current date in 1969.

About the Ward: The Holy Family Ward is surrounded by Moodubelle-Udupi Main Road towards the south, Arbi River in the north, St. Peter II Ward in the East and Christ the King Ward in the west. The sub-regions included in the ward are: Nittool, Arbi and Arkal. While major part of the ward is included in the Belle Grama Panchayat, some part belongs to the Manipura Grama Panchayat. Belle Grama Panchayat Office, Market Place, Canara, Karnataka and CA Banks are located in the Holy Family Ward. There are 34 families that reside in this ward.

The Gurkar of the Holy Family Ward is Charles Quadros. He has been the Gurkar of the Ward for the last ten years. He has MA degree and is presently working in the office of St. Lawrence Composite PU College, Moodubelle. He is the former Vice president of the Parish Council and President of the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Varado. Charles Quadros is presently the member of the Parish Council and the Catholic Sabha in Moodubelle, President the CA Bank and Committee member of the Central Committee of the Catholic Sabha.

Charles Quadros (Gurkar)

Abraham Fernandes (Representative)

Jannet Menezes (Representative)

In the various activities of the ward, Charles Quadros is being assisted by two Representatives: Abraham Fernandes and Mrs. Jannet Menezes. Abraham Fernandes is a well-known social worker. He is also the Executive Committee member of the Udupi District Krishika Sangha and the Secretary of the Belle Unit. He is also the President of Amrutanandini Self-help group and former member of the Manipura Grama Panchayat.

The Holy family Ward has been blessed with a number of religious vocations. Six children of late Intru and Rosemary Lobo have dedicated themselves to the service of the church and serving in different regions of India. Fr. Daniel Lobo S.J. is in Mumbai, Fr. Lawrence Lobo S.J. in Baroda, Sr. Veronica Lobo (AC) in Orissa, Sr. Shalini Lobo (AC) in Mangalore, Sr. Pricilla Lobo (AC) in Gujarat and Sr. Sylvian Lobo (AC) in Mangalore.

Fr. Daniel, Fr. Lawrence, Sr. Veronica, Sr. Shaline, Sr. Pricilla and Sr. Sylvian

Sr. Benedicta Rebello, Sr. Michell, Sr.Veronica Menezes.

Fr. Charles Menezes & Fr. Richard Quadros

Other vocations in the Holy Family Ward include: Sr. Veronica Menezes (BS)-daughter of Rita and late Leo Menezes working in Mudigere; Sr. Benedicta Rebello (AC)-daughter late Boniface and Bridget Rebello, serving in Mangalore; Sr. Michelle (BS)is in charge of Jeevandhara Social Service Centre at Mangalore. Fr. Richard Quadros (SVD), son of late Mathias and Angeline Quadros and brother of Charles Quadros  serving in Raigad District of Maharashtra and Fr. Charles Menezes-son of Mary and late Louis Menezes, who served in the Mangalore Diocese is presently National Director of the YCS Movement and is stationed at Chennai.

A number of young persons from the Holy Family Ward have taken up higher education. Some of them have achieved academic and nursing as well as engineering degrees. The post-graduate degree holders are: Shalini D’Souza (M.Com), Charles Quadros (MA), Alwyn Fernandes (MBA) and Sunil Machado, second rank in BA and Gold Medal in MA. The Engineering Degree holders of the ward are: Santosh Mascarenhas, Valerian Quadros, Veeda D’Almeida and Dolfy Lobo.

Victor Quadros-brother of Charles Quadros had secured fourth rank in the B.Com examination and 15th rank in the CA examination. Presently he works as the Chief Finance Officer in ‘Lenovo’ at Bangalore. Valerian Qua dros, another brother of Charles Quadros who is an engineer is the Assistant Director in the Government Central Press in Bangalore. Benedict Quadros, also brother of Charles Quadros is in Government employment in Abudhabi. Chams Agnelo Quadros-son of Charles and Matilda Quadros had topped the list of the SSLC students of St. Lawrence High School in the final examination in the year 2007. He was awarded the Fudar Prathistan Pratibha Puraskar for the year 2008-09 for securing highest marks in Second PUC Commerce examination in 2009 among the Catholic students of the Udupi Varado. Mrs. Matilda Quadros-wife of Charles Quadros is a good singer and is the President of the Church Choir.

Mrs. Leena D’Almeida & Mrs. Justin Mendonca

Mrs. Leena (Lobo) D’Almeida’s has retired as a teacher in the Church Aided Higher primary School, Moodubelle after nearly 30 years of service. She was the first batch student of St. Lawrence High School when the high school was established fifty years ago. Mrs. Leena and Isac D’Alemida’s five daughters have been well educated and are in good position. Ida is a graduate and works for Kanoo Liwa Trading Company as Senior Supervisor in Bahrain. Hilda is a commerce graduate and works in the HR Department of the HSBC Bank in Bahrain. Alfreeda also works in Bahrain as a nurse. Veeda is BE in Computer Science and runs her own software company named ‘Invenger Technologies’ as Director in USA, Dubai and Mangalore. Linda has done MCA and manages along with her husband ‘Alwyn D’Souza and Company’ in Mumbai.

Another retired teacher from the holy Family Ward is Mrs. Josephine Mathais. Mrs. Justin Mendonca presently teaches in the Government Higher Primary School at Daddabettu, Palli.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward: The statue of St. Lawrence was welcomed into the Holy Family Ward on Sunday, 4th July 2010 at 5 pm, when the Gurkar of the ward Charles Quadros along with a large number of the ward members received St. Lawrence from Edward Noronha, Gurkar of St. Peter II Ward near the residence of Louis Fernandes on the Moodubelle-Kappandakarya Road. Thereafter members of both the wards went in procession to the residence of Charles Quadros where Fr. Joswey Fernandes installed the statue, recited Centenary prayer and blessed the house. Following refreshments the members dispersed to their respective wards.

On Monday, 5th July, Fr. Joswey Fernandes began blessing of the houses. The statue of St. Lawrence was taken to neighbouring houses from the residence of Charles Quadros on Tuesday, 6th July from 4 pm. The houses visited by St. Lawrence include those of Mable, Justin, Ida, Pressy, Bayyu, Alex Mathais, Eveline, Augustine, Flavia, Camil, Stany, Rajesh, Irene, Franky and Jenevive. On Wednesday, 7th July: St. Lawrence visited the residences of: Abraham, Vincy, Paul, George, Santan and John Rebello. On Thursday, 8th July: Irene, Pascal, Peter, Janet, Matilda, Boniface and Mary Menezes. On Friday, 9th July, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the residence of Christine where Mass was offered for the sick and aged. After the Mass the statue was rested at the residence of Leena Mathais. On Saturday, 10th July, St. Lawrence paid visit to the houses of Lawrence Quadros, Isac D’Almeida and John Martis.

Ward Feast: The feast of the Holy Family Ward was celebrated on Sunday, 11th July 2010 at the residence of John Lilly Mathais where the statue of St. Lawrence was finally brought. The programme of the ward feast began at 12 noon. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Henry Fernandes, Vice President of the Parish Council, Mrs. Meera Lobo, Secretary, Sr. Veneetha, Superior of the Loreto Convent and Sr. Iliene along with the Gurkars and Gurkarans of neighbouring wards were the guests. A large number of members from the Holy family Ward were present for the ward feast.

The entire programme of entertainment, felicitations and speeches was compeered by the youth including-Cecilia Joyce D’Souza, Rudolf, Chams Agnelo Quadros, Rajesh Roshan Mathais, Vineetha and Jovitha. First of all Mrs. Lilly Martis of the host family extended a warm welcome to all the guests and ward members followed by an official welcome by the Representative of the ward-Abraham Fernandes. Charles Quadros, the Gurkar of the ward welcomed the guests by offering roses. Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the prayer service. The Secretary of the ward-Mrs. Matilda Fernandes read the report of the various activities undertaken in the ward during the last year.

Little girls-Flancy, Jeswita, Evita, Nishmita, Renita and Rashel presented the welcome dance directed by Mrs. Justine Mendonca and Jovita. Later a ‘mando’ dance was presented by Jovita, Vineeta, Venessa, Felicia and Ashwita which was directed by Jovita.

Sylvester Martis-Father of the host, John Lilly Martis who has completed 91 year celebrated his birthday by cutting the cake along with his family members. Similarly, all those in the gathering who were born in the month of July also celebrated their birthday by cutting another cake.

Some of the students were felicitated by Fr. Lancy Saldanha for their achievements in the examinations. Santosh Mascarenhas (BE), Jovita Mendonca (SSLC), Felicia D’Almeida (PUC), Ajay Fernandes (PUC) and Chams Agnelo Quadros (Fudar Prathistan Puraskar). Next, the previous and present office bearers of the Holy Family ward were honoured by Fr. Paul Sequeira. The senior citizens of the ward who are above 75 years were felicitated by Sr. Veneetha. These senior citizens are: Joseph D’Souza, Mary Menezes, Lucy Mendonca, Rita Menezes, Celestine Lobo, Salvador Martis, Carmine Fernandes and Camil Menezes. For their special service Fr. Joswey Fernandes honoured Henry Fernandes, Meera Lobo, Helen D’Souza, Charles Quadros and Eugene D’Souza. Gilbert D’Souza who was elected as the member of the Belle Grama Panchayat was also honoured by Fr. Joswey Fernandes.

A skit on family values, written and directed by Charles Quadros was presented by Matilda Quadros, Rajesh, Abraham Fernandes, Chams Agnelo Quadros, Vineetha, Flacny and Clive.

Fr. Joswey, Fr. Paul, Fr. Lancy and Henry Fernandes speaking at this occasion complimented the Gurkar, Representatives and all the ward members for organising such a wonderful programme which manifested the unity, cooperation and coordination among the ward members. The ward feast also provided an opportunity to the youth and children to showcase their talents. Charles Quadros proposed the vote of thanks. John Lilly Martis, the host of the ward feast invited the guests for the lunch in a traditional way by offering ‘chembu’ with water.

In the evening at 5pm, the members of the Holy family ward bid adieu to St. Lawrence and transferred the statue to the Gurkar of St. Thomas II Ward-Robert D’Souza near the post office.