Journey with St. Lawrence to the Wards of Moodubelle Parish-XXII (Sacred Heart I Ward)

Report by Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

22. SACRED HEART I WARD

Moodubelle, 04 August 2010:
About the Ward: The Sacred Heart I Ward is the closest ward to the church. The boundaries of the ward include the Moodubelle-Karkala Main Road towards the north, St. Xavier II Ward in the south, Moodubelle-Kattingeri Road towards the west and Gokal-Kattingeri Road in the east.  The Sacred Heart I Ward includes the area behind the church, Cross-hill, Gokal and Kadambila. The church, Loreto Convent of Bethany Sisters and St. Lawrence English Medium School are situated within the Sacred Heart I Ward.

Jerome D’Souza (Gurkar)

  
Mrs. Pramila Castelino  & Mrs. Hilda Menezes (Representatives)

The Gurkar of the Sacred Heart I Ward is Jerome D’Souza. He is the member of the Parish Council and the Catholic Sabha. He is the proprietor of the Rita Complex at Gokal and runs his own business ‘Jerry Service Station’ for all types of vehicles and also runs a cutlery shop. The representatives of the Sacred Heart I Ward are Mrs. Pramila Castelino and Mrs. Hilda Menezes.

   
Sr. Naveen, Sr.Leonette & Sr.Shaila

The religious women from the Sacred Heart I Ward who have dedicated themselves to the service of the church and society are: Sr. Leonett (AC), daughter of late Salvador and late Piad Mary Barboza and sister of Boniface Barboza (Benny Master). Presently, Sr. Leonett is serving in the Rosa Mystica Convent, Aldona in Bardez Goa. Sr. Shaila (BS), daughter of Isaac and late Christine Alva presently is the Provincial of Karnal Province in Haryana. Sr. Naveen (BS), sister of Jerome D’Souza, Gurkar of the ward presently is working in Jharkhand.

 
William Barboza

One of the members of the Sacred Heart I ward, William Barboza, son of late Salvador and late Piad Mary Barboza had served in the ‘Corps of Signals’ of the Indian Army for quite a long time. He had joined the Indian Army in 1957. He retired from service in 1978. During 21 years of his service, William had served in different parts of north and north-eastern India. He was even sent to Kar Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. William was actively involved in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and was awarded ‘Commendation Card for Devotion to Duty’. From 1974 to 1978, William was deputed to Bhutan to work in the Border Road Project. During his service, William Barboza was awarded nine medals and one commendation card.

  
Philomena Mathais & Prishma Mathais

Mrs. Philomena Mathais belonging to the Sacred Heart I Ward has been a well-known ‘vovyo’ singer. She was one of the members of the group that won the first prize in the ‘vovyo’ competition that was conducted by the ICYM of  the Udupi Varado last year. Prishma Mathais, daughter of Philomena and Albert Mathais has completed MBA. Earlier, she was the secretary of YCS and later that of ICYM. She was awarded as the ‘Best Secretary’ of ICYM. While studying in PUC, Prishma was the team member of the Volleyball team that participated in the state level tournament in 2005. Anitha Paris, daughter of  Jackline and late Maurice Castelino had been a brilliant student throughout her career. She stood first in St. Mary’s Junior and Senior College, Shirva in PUC and BCom classes respectively. She also secured first position in MCom in 2001in the Konaje College, Mangalore. Presently she is working for a bank in Canada.

Lilly D’Souza

Ms. Lilly D’Souza had started her teaching career in 1961. She worked as a teacher in different places such as Belagaon, Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore.Finally, she settled down in Moodubelle and  worked as a teacher in the Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle  from 1969 to 1998.

  
Isaac Alva & Henry Alva

Naveen and Lavina Mathias

The Sacred Heart I Ward is known for some entrepreneurs and businessmen. Besides the Gurkar, Jerome D’Souza, other well-known businessmen of the ward are: Isaac Alva who has retired from the business of dealing with religious articles. He was one of the first persons from Moodubelle who had started the business of selling religious articles in annual parish feast markets in various places. He also had a shop in Moodubelle. His son, Henry Alva presently manages this business under the name of ‘Preetham Religious Articles’. Besides, Henry Alva also runs other businesses such as Preetham Caterers, Preetham Tourist and Preetham Shamiana. Naveen and Lavina Mathais jointly manage Marina Variety Store in Moodubelle and workshop manufacturing steel items and furniture.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward:  On Sunday, 25 July 2010, the statue of St. Lawrence was brought in procession from the Sacred Heart II Ward and was handed over by the Gurkarn of that ward, Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza to Jerome D’Souza, Gurkar of the Sacred Heart I Ward who had been waiting eagerly with the ward members near the Moodubelle bus stand. Thereafter, the procession moved through the Main Road to the residence of Benedict Menezes where Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the prayer service and blessed the house. On the same day, the statue was taken to the houses of Henry Alva, Gabriel Alva, Mrs. Lilly D’Souza, Mrs. Janet D’Souza and finally, to the house of Raina D’Souza where the statue was kept for the night.

On Monday, 26 July, from 4.30 pm, St. Lawrence paid visit to the residences of William Barboza, Victor D’Souza, Mrs. Sunitha Barboza, Maurice D’Souza, Mrs. Anitha Mathais, John Martis and Mrs. Cecilia Fernandes where the saint rested for the night. On Tuesday, 27 July, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the residence of Mrs. Lilly Lobo where Fr. Lancy Saldanha offered Mass for the elder and sick members of the ward at 5pm which was attended by around 70 members including the sisters from the Loreto Convent. On Wednesday, 28 July, St. Lawrence went from the residence of Mrs. Lilly Lobo to the house of Mrs. Veronica Martis at 5.40 pm where the Ward Feast was celebrated from 6 pm.

On Thursday, 29 July, from 5.30 pm the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession to the residences of Ligory D’Mello, Mrs. Bridget Saldnaha, Maurice Fernandes, Mrs. Hilda Menezes, Mrs. Eliza D’Souza, Mrs. Jacintha Aranha and finally Mrs. Celestine Castelino where the statue rested following prayers. On Friday, 30 July, St. Lawrence paid visit to the families of Elias Martis, George Alva, Mrs. Philomena Mathais and later to the residence of Jerome D’Souza, the Gurkar of the ward.

Ward Feast: As St. Lawrence, after his spiritual journey through all the wards had to return to the church on Saturday, 31 July, members of the Sacred Heart I Ward did not have the privilege of celebrating their ward feast on Sunday as was being done in other wards. Hence, they celebrated their ward feast in the evening of Wednesday, 28 July 2010 at 6 pm at the residence of Mrs. Veronica Martis.

Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Henry Fernandes and Sr. Davidika were the guests of honour for the ward feast.  The programme was very well compeered by Mrs. Philomena Mathais. The Gurkar of the ward, Jerome D’Souza formally welcomed the guests with flowers and Jesvita Mathias performed the welcome dance. Following the prayer service conducted by Fr. Joswey, a brief report of the ward for the last year was read out by the secretary of the ward, Mrs. Raina D’Souza.

As part of the entertainment programme, little children presented a ‘mando’ dance and songs. Fr. Lancy gave away consolation prizes to all the participating children who were quite excited. Fr. Paul Sequeira felicitated the students of the ward for clearing their respective examinations-Glavina Alva (MBA), Prishma Mathais (MBA), Vanessa Machado (PUC) and Benita Menezes (SSLC). Those members of the ward whose birthdays fall in the month of July were also felicitated by Henry Fernandes. These members are: Jerome D’Souza, Naveen Mathais, Baby Arlene Barboza and Sr. Ilien. Few games including a full-fledged housie were conducted by Prima Mathais to keep the members entertained during the ward feast. The hosts and sponsors of the ward feast-Mrs. Veronica Martis, Naveen and Lavina Mathais and the Gurkar were honoured by offering them flowers by Fr. Joswey.

Fr. Lancy, Henry Fernandes, Fr. Paul and Fr. Joswey gave their respective messages to the ward members and complimented them on the occasion of the visit of St. Lawrence to their ward. Fr. Joswey expressed happiness at the success of the journey of St. Lawrence through all the 22 wards of the parish, the Sacred Heart I ward being the last, but very close to the church. Fr. Paul recited the grace before the meal and the ward feast ended with dinner.

On Saturday, 31 July 2010, St. Lawrence returned to the church after his visit to the final ward of the parish. In a decorated van, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession at 3.30 pm from the residence of the Gurkar of the Sacred Heart I Ward, Jerome D’Souza to the accompaniment of the band, bursting of fire crackers and singing of hymns by the choir and the people to the church. On reaching the church entrance at around 3.50 pm, Fr. Joswey, Fr. Lancy, Henry Fernandes-Vice President and Mrs. Meera Lobo-Secretary of the Parish Council received the statue of St. Lawrence from the hands of Jerome D’Souza.  Fr. Joswey carried the statue to the altar and placed it on a decorated pedestal. Thus, ended the spiritual journey of St. Lawrence throughout the 22 wards of the parish.