Moodubelle: Preparations for the Parish Day on 1 November 2010 are in full-swing

By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 01 November 2010:On the eve of the Parish Day celebration commemorating the Centenary of the foundation of the parish of Belle dedicated to St. Lawrence, the parish community has been busy throughout the afternoon and night of Sunday, 31 October 2010, preparing for the great day on 1 November 2010.  The church building has been completely re-painted giving the entire structure a new and elegant look.

 

At 3 pm on Sunday, 31 October 2010 around 70 volunteers gathered in the Parish hall to chalk out the prgramme and arrangement for tomorrows Thanksgiving Mass and community meal. Fr. Joswey Fernandes initiated the procedure with prayer.  The entire responsibility for the cooking and distribution of the food has been shouldered by the four chief caterers of Belle-Best Caterers, Preetham Caterers, Alwyn Caterers and Golden Caterers who have divided the work among themselves.  While the Best Caterers under the supervision of Pravin and Roshan Castelino have shouldered the responsibility of cooking all the food items, the other three caterers have volunteered to make thorough arrangements for the distribution of the food in the afternoon.

 

 

According to Henry Alva, proprietor of the Preetham Caterers, there would be 12 counters of which 8 would serve non-vegetarian food whereas four counters would be for rice and other items. There would be a separate counter for ‘carry home’ food packets meant for those sick and elderly persons of the families who would not be able to attend the Thanksgiving Mass and the community lunch. Henry Alva explained in detail the arrangements and appointed a team of seven  volunteers including the supervisor to each of the counters. Meanwhile, the cooking arrangements have been started with right earnest.

 

As these preparations were going  on, the volunteers carried fire wood and deposited at the cooking place where 10 brick and mud choolas have been already erected. Meanwhile, the youth carried the chairs from the hall to the church in order to make additional seating arrangement inside the church as well as in the portico. As the choir began its practice under the guidance of Fr. Paul Sequeira, the Bethany Sisters  led by Sr. Vineetha, the superior  of Loreto Convent  and Clement Castelino were making flower arrangements for tomorrows Thanksgiving Mass.

 

 

At 7.30 pm the volunteers for cooking arrived with accessories for cutting and chopping. While women volunteers peeled the onions and garlic, the men  prepared the meat which was kept ready for cooking. At around 8.30 pm, Fr. Joswey Fernandes recited the prayers at the cooking arena, blessed the newly erected choolas and lighted the first fire along with Pravin Castelino. The work continued even after dinner which was served to the volunteers. It was a pleasant sight to see the priests and sisters of th convent joining the volunteers and encouraging them in their work.

 

There was all round enthusiasm among the volunteers who numbered around eighty. The atmosphere was family like which reminded one of those bygone days when people of the ward and relatives used to join together in preparing food for marriage dinners or any other large scale function. After a long time the parishioners of Belle got an opportunity to showcase their unity, cooperative spirit and dedication for their parish. 

 

 

The serious task of cooking began at around 2.30 am, early morning of 1 November 2010. The cooking is being done by Henry Monis, the chief cook who is asssited by Marcel Saldanha of Kuntalnagar, James Martis, William Fernandes, Cyril Barboza of Kalatthur and Benedict Crasta. The entire process of preparation of various food items for the community meal is being supervised by Pravin and Roshan Castelino, proprietors of the Best Caterers. According to Pravin, the entire process of cooking various items of food will be over by 10 am so that everyone can attend the Thanksgiving Mass.

 

Personally for me, this has been a great experience to be present at the scene of the action, witnessing the enthusiasm and unity of the parishioners, taking pictures and writing this report.