Journey with St. Lawrence to the Wards of Moodubelle Parish - XX (St. Thomas II Ward)

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

20. ST. THOMAS II WARD

Moodubelle, 21 July 2010:
About the Ward: St. Thomas II Ward is surrounded by the Belle River towards the south and the west, St. Thomas I Ward in the north and Red Hill Junction-Ankudru Road towards the west. The ward comprises of sub-divisions such as Kongi-bail, Rajanottu, Puthrottu, Devaragudde, Pademar and Poidapady. There are 31families in the ward.

The Gurkar of St. Thomas II Ward is Robert D’Souza. He has been the Gurkar of the ward for the last ten years and Parish Council member for the past thirteen years. Earlier, Robert D’Souza had served the ward as the Representative for three years. He was the President of the Catholic Sabha for one term, member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Janajagruti and one of the charter members of the Lions Club of Moodubelle and was its treasurer and president for a year each.

Robert D’Souza (Gurkar)

Monthu Castelino & Theresa Alva (Repr esentatives)

The Representatives of St. Thomas II Ward are Monthu Castelino and Mrs. Theresa Alva. Monthu Castelino was formerly the Treasurer of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Secretary of the Milk Producers’ Association of Moodubelle and presently its Director. He is the present President of the Catholic Sabha, Moodubelle Unit and also the President of Amrutanandini Self-help Group. Monthu has been the LIC Agent, Senior Advisor of Tata-AIG and Advisor of Star Health Insurance.

There have been a number of religious vocations in St. Thomas II Ward. Fr. Denis Castelino, son of late Raymond and Evelyn Castelino had the privilege of topping the first batch of the SSLC students in St. Lawrence High School. He has been a secular priest in the Mangalore Diocese and served in many parishes as Assistant and Parish Priest. These parishes include, Rosario Church, Modankap, Nakre, Kalmady and Alangar. Presently he resides at the Vienney Home at Kankanady, Mangalore.

 

Fr. Denis Castelino & Fr. Valerian Castelino

Fr. Valerian Castelino, son of late Cyprian and Louisa Castelino has been serving in the Chikmagalur Diocese. He was the teacher in and Headmaster of St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Chikamagalur. After retirement from school, he served as Parish Priest at Shettihalli in Hassan District and presently he is in charge of the Infant Jesus Shrine at Chikmagalur.

 

Sr. Helen Castelino(FSM), Sr.M. Zealet (BS), Sr. Nascita (CSST)

Sr. Helen, sister of Fr. Valerian belongs to the Franciscan Servants of Mary (FSM) Congregation and is presently the Superior of the Nazareth Convent at Balmatta in Mangalore. Sr. Geraldine (BS), daughter of late Marian and Kithar Castelino presently serves in Allahabad. Sr. Zealet (Mary Alva) who belongs to the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters is the daughter of late Rosario and Magdalene Alva. Presently she is the Superior of the Good Shepherd Convent at Omathkere-Ullal. Sr. Nascita (Hilda Monis), daughter of Evelyn and late John Monis belongs to the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of St. Theresa of Avila (CSST). Presently, she is the Superior and Manager of Avila Convent and School in Mysore.

St. Thomas II Ward is proud of some of its prominent personalities who have achieved great heights in different fields. Commodore Jerome Castelino, son of late Vincent and Rose Castelino had served in the Indian Navy from 1959 to 1984 and retired as the Commodore. While in the Navy, Commodore Jerome Castelino served in various categories of warships including Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant, visited 27 foreign countries and participated in wars against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 and Goa Liberation War in 1961. He was awarded ‘Vishesh Seva Medal’ (VSM) by the President of India, Shri Zail Singh on 26th January 1984 for meritorious and distinguished service in the Indian Navy. Realizing his experience as an officer in the Indian Navy, the Karnataka Government has appointed Commodore Jerome as the Vice-President of the Sainik Board of Mangalore and Udupi Districts for a period of three years (2007-2010). Commodore Jerome married to Rose Celine of Bijai, Mangalore in 1961. They have two sons, both engineers and presently working in USA and a daughter who is a Chief Officer in ICICI Bank in Mumbai.

Commodore Jerome Castelino & Mr Alex D’Almeida

Commodore Jerome along with his wife came and settled in Moodubelle in 1994. His efforts to establish a social service organisation in Moodubelle led to the foundation of the Lions Club in 1997 with 32 charter members, the Commodore becoming its founder President. Under the guidance and leadership of Commodore Jerome Castelino, the Lions Club has been functioning well in Moodubelle.

Alex D’Almeida, who has the privilege of being the student of the first batch of SSLC in St. Lawrence High School, joined the Indian Army and served for a period of 28 years. He retired from service as a Junior Commissioned Officer (Honorary Subedar Major). He actively participated in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars. Presently Alex is working in Manipal Service Corps Facility Management (MSFM), Manipal as Security officer. He is an active member of the Parish choir.

Ignatius Monis, the eldest son of Evelyn and late John Monis is a well-known community leader not only in the ward but in the entire parish. After acquiring Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Ignatius worked in Mumbai and later in Muscat and Saudi Arabia. He returned to his native village in 1988 and ever since has involved himself in social and church activities. Ignatius Monis had held a number of posts in the past such as administrator of the parish for three years, Gurkar of the ward for 12 years, Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Catholic Sabha of Moodubelle Unit, Secretary of the Catholic Sabha in Shirva and later Udupi Varado as well as Udupi Zone, Joint Secretary and Vice President of the Central Committee of the Catholic Sabha and President of the Udupi Taluk and later Udupi District Minority Forum.

Family of Ignatius Monis

While he was the President of the Udupi Varado Catholic Sabha, Ignatius took initiative in establishing the Udupi Catholic Credit Cooperative Society of which he is presently the President. He is the Director of the Small Christian Community (SCC) in Moodubelle, one of the members of the SCC Animators Training Team of the Udupi Zone and a Member of Diocesan Fudar Prathistan. He is also the member of the Lions Club of Moodubelle

Ignatius and his wife Romelia have three children. The eldest daughter, Ivy is a Post-Graduate in Nursing and is presently working in Ireland and resides there with her family. Son, Ivor after completing MSc in Electronics and Diploma in Computer Testing has been working for the IBM Company based in Bangalore as the Project Assistant. Their last daughter, Inma who has completed B.Sc., B.Ed. presently teaches in the Pillai International School at Gorai in Mumbai. She is married to Anil who works for the Bank of Baroda.

Shanti Barboza, daughter of Juliana and late Lawrence Albert Castelino and sister of Monthu Castelino was the Secretary of the ICYM while she was studying in the college. She has been a good actress in Konkani dramas. ‘Matharo Chorbela’ written by Francis Fernandes Cascia in which Shanti Barboza has been acting has completed 50 shows so far.

Kevin Mathais has done BE in Mechanical Engineering and M.Tech. Presently he teaches in the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) and is preparing for the Ph.D. degree.

Family of Pravin Castelino

St. Thomas II ward has few entrepreneurs. Pravin and Roshan Castelino, sons of Lilly and late Xavier Castelino are well-known caterers and lighting and sound arrangers for various functions. Their enterprise ‘Best Caterers’ and ‘Arun Sound’ are quite popular in Moodubelle and surrounding regions. Pravin is a Sales Manager of Star Health Allied Company Limited, Mangalore Branch since five years. He also undertakes Event Management. Pravin’s wife Margaret is a BSc in Lab Technology and after working for 14 years in Fr. Muller’s Hospital in Mangalore is presently serving in Armed Forces Hospital in Muscat since three years. Clement Castelino, son of Daniel and Helen Castelino is the proprietor of ‘Sea-Gull Enterprises’ providing stage and hall decoration, shamiana, chairs, etc. for various types of functions.

Roshan Castelino & Clement Castelino

Gilbert Castelino, son of Robert and Eliza Castelino is a self-made man who has his transport business in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. He provides transport facility to school children, companies and offices. He has been one of the active members of Bellevision Muscat. Gilbert is married to Ida of Kalattur. Their eldest daughter, Glenda is doing Association of Certified Chartered Accountancy Course in National Training Institute in Muscat. She is also an active member of Bellevision Muscat and Media Coordinator for Bellevision in Muscat. Their son, Glansten presently studies in 11th standard in Indian School Muscat and has been the member of the School Football Team. Their youngest daughter, Glanet has been a good dancer and she has won many prizes in various dance competitions. She is a student of 9th standard in Indian School, Muscat.

Family of Gilbert Castelino

Mrs. Juliana Quadros had been quite active in political field She was the Mandal Panchayat Member from 1987 to 1992; Vice President of the Mandal Panchayat between 1990 and 1992; President of the Swasahaya Sangha for 2 years; Belle Grama Panchayat Member for two terms from 1994 to 2010; Panchayat Utpadana Samithi Member from 2005 to 2010 and President of Devaragudde Anganwadi from 2005 to 2010. Mrs. Juliana is also the past Vice President of the Old Students Association.

Shanti Barboza & Juliana Quadros

Mrs. Emilia Aranha has retired as teacher from the SMS Elementary School, Panjimar-Shirva after serving for 37 years. Dr. Eugene D’Souza, son of Severine and late Joseph D’Souza had been a lecturer in History in Mumbai and retired as the Principal of Asmita College of Arts and Commerce, Vikhroli, Mumbai. He was also a guide for the Ph.D. students of the Mumbai University through St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Presently he is residing in Moodubelle with his wife Benny and mother. He is the Media Coordinator of Bellevision.com in Moodubelle.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward: On Sunday, 11th July 2010 at 5 pm, the statue of St. Lawrence was received near the Post Office by the Gurkar of St. Thomas II Ward, Robert D’Souza from the hands of Charles Quadros, Gurkar of the Holy Family Ward in the presence of the members of the both wards along with Fr. Joswey Fernandes. The members of St. Thomas II ward had also brought a smaller statue of their ward patron, St. Thomas to receive the patron of the parish, St. Lawrence. After reaching the Gurkar’s residence, Fr. Joswey conducted the prayer service and blessed the house. The statue of St. Lawrence remained in the residence of the Gurkar for the night.

On Monday, 12th July from 3.30 pm, St. Lawrence along with the members of St. Thomas II Ward visited the residences of Mrs. Emilia Aranha, Mrs. Irene Mathais, Alex D’Almeida, Nicholas Castelino and Mrs. Dora Mathais where the saint rested. On Tuesday, 13th July, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the houses of Xavier Mary Castelino, Marcel Castelino, Daniel Castelino, Rita Castelino, Frankie Juliana Quadros and Denis Castelino. On Wednesday, 14th July, St. Lawrence visited the residences of Daniel Castelino, Mrs. Carmine D’Souza, Commodore Jerome Castelino, Mrs. Bridget Castelino, Charles Quadros-former Gurkar and Mrs. Alice Alva where St. Lawrence stayed for the night.

On Thursday, 15th July, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession from the residence of Mrs. Alice Alva to Poidapady where it was taken to the houses of Thomas Alva, Mrs. Mary Alva, Mrs. Nancy Alva and Peter D’Souza. Later, St. Lawrence made his way to the house of Mrs. Evelyn Monis where Fr. Paul Sequeira offered Mass for the elderly and sick members of the ward. After the Mass, Fr. Paul Sequeira honoured four elderly couples who have completed fifty years or more of their married life-Xavier (could not attend) and his wife Mary Castelino, Robert and Eliza Castelino, Lawrence and Alice D’Souza and Commodore Jerome and Rose Castelino.

On Friday, 16th July, St. Lawrence visited the residences of Denis Anita Monis, Lawrence Alice D’Souza, Monthu Castelino, Mrs. Florin Monis and Benjamin Quadros. Later, the Saint rested for the night at the residence of Mrs. Severine D’Souza. On Saturday, 17th July from 10 am the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the houses of Casmir Castelino, Juliana Castelino, Robert Castelino and finally to the residence of Mrs. Lilly Castelino where the statue was kept in a beautifully decorated pedestal till Sunday afternoon.

Ward Feast: The ward feast was celebrated on Sunday, 18th July 2010 at the residence of Mrs. Lilly Castelino with great joy and excitement. Though there was incessant rain, the ward members attended the feast in large numbers. Fr. Joswey Fernandes presided over the function. Fr. Lancy Saldanha and Henry Fernandes, Vice President of the Parish Council were the guests of honour. Charles Quadros, Gurkar of the Holy Family ward as well as Gilbert D’Souza, member of the Belle Grama Panchayat were other guests who graced the function.

Robert D’Souza, the Gurkar of St. Thomas II Ward formally welcomed the guests and offered them flowers. Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the initial prayer service and the welcome dance was performed by Glanet Castelino and Jovita D’Almeida.

During the occasion of the ward feast, some of the persons of the ward were felicitated by Fr. Joswey Fernandes for their achievements in different fields. Commodore Jerome Castelino for his service in the Indian Navy and in Lions Club of Moodubelle, Alex D’Almeida for his service in the Indian Army, Ignatius Monis for community leadership, Dr. Eugene D’Souza for his service in education and media, Monthu Castelino, President of the Catholic Sabha. Gilbert D’Souza was felicitated by the Gurkar Robert D’Souza for being elected as the member of the Belle Grama Panchayat.

Those couples who have completed fifty years or more of their married life, though felicitated on Thursday, 15th July 2010 after the Mass for the elder members of the ward, were once again honoured by Fr. Joswey. Similarly, all those elder members of the ward who have crossed 75 years of their lives were similarly honoured by Fr. Joswey. These elder members include: Mrs. Evelyn Monis, Mrs. Severine D’Souza and Mrs. Emilia Aranha. Mrs. Carmine D’Souza, Mrs. Juliana Castelino and Mrs. Bridget Castelino could not attend the programme due to ill-health.

The young entrepreneurs of the ward were felicitated for their service to the community by Fr. Joswey-Pravin and Roshan Castelino along with their mother Mrs. Lilly Castelino, the proprietors of Best Caterers and Arun Sound System; Clement Castelino, proprietor if Sea-Gull Decorators (in his absence, his mother Mrs. Helen Castelino received the honour) and Gilbert Castelino who runs a successful transport business in Muscat. Roshan Castelino who works in KPTCL was also felicitated. Kevin Mathais, lecturer in Manipal Institute of Technology could not attend the felicitation programme. Young students were felicitated by Fr. Lancy Saldanha for clearing their Board examinations-Shwita Saldanha (SSLC), Maxon Castelino and Deryl Mathais (PUC).

Previous and present Gurkars and office bearers of the ward-Charles Quadros, Ignatius Monis, Robert D’Souza, Monthu Castelino, Mrs. Theresa Alva and Peter D’Souza were honoured by Henry Fernandes.

Miss Jana Eppler, a volunteer from Germany at the Manasa Rehabilitation Centre at Pamboor since September 2009 who had accompanied Jacklin Alva, daughter of Mrs. Lilly Castelino, who works in the Manasa was very much impressed with the programme. As a gesture of appreciation of her presence, Fr. Joswey honoured her by presenting a garland and a bouquet of flowers. Miss Jana Eppler even participated in the procession in the evening before the statue of St. Lawrence was transferred to the Sacred Heart II Ward. Later, she said that she was very much moved by the enthusiasm, unity and devotion of the people.

After the felicitation programme, Mrs. Janet Castelino read out the report of the activities of the Small Christian Community (SCC) in the ward during the past year. Glenda, Glanet and Jovita entertained the gathering with their excellent dance and the youngsters of the ward-Deryl Mathais, Maxon Castelino, Royson Alva, Vibrold Castelino and Keni Castelino presented a hilarious skit.

Henry Fernandes, Fr. Lancy Saldanha and Fr. Joswey Fernandes in their brief messages complimented the office bearers and all the members of the ward for organising such a wonderful programme on the occasion of the ward feast. Fr. Joswey stressed the importance of the journey of St. Lawrence through the wards of the Moodubelle Parish which has brought about a spiritual revolution and has increased the bond of unity and brotherhood not only among the members of the ward but also in the entire parish.

There were few games for the children, youth and adults. Monthu Castelino, the representative of the ward proposed the vote of thanks. Fr. Lancy recited the grace before the meal. The entire programme was very well compeered by Ignatius Monis and Mrs. Theresa Alva.

In spite of the heavy rain, the ward feast was conducted without any inconvenience as Roshan and Pravin had made excellent arrangements by covering the courtyard with tin sheets. In the evening at around 4 pm, members of St. Thomas II Ward assembled at the residence of Mrs. Lilly Castelino. After prayers, in spite of the heavy rain, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession covered with umbrella up to the Red Hill Junction, where the members of the Sacred Heart II Ward led by their Gurkarn, Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza were waiting eagerly for the arrival of St. Lawrence. At 5 pm, in the presence of Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Robert D’Souza, Gurkar of St. Thomas II Ward transferred the statue of St. Lawrence to the hands of Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Gurkarn of the Sacred heart II Ward.

One special feature of St. Thomas II Ward was that a smaller statue of St. Thomas, patron saint of the ward was also taken in procession while receiving St. Lawrence and accompanied him while visiting each and every house and even came to bid goodbye while St. Lawrence went to the Sacred Heart II Ward. In this way, the members of the St. Thomas II Ward had an opportunity to get acquainted with the patron of their ward along with the patron of the parish, St. Lawrence.