Remembrance of Departed Parishioners and Founders Day Observed in Holy Cross Church, Pamboor
By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/Pamboor, 19 Dec 2017: As part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration, Remembrance of Departed Parishoners and Founders Day was observed in the Holy Cross Church, Pamboor on Tuesday, 19 December 2017 with solemn Requiem Mass, procession to cemetery, blessing of the graves and stage function.
The solemn Requiem Mass for the souls of the departed parishioners was offered by Fr. Lawrence Martis, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Kota as the main celebrant along with other priests mostly natives of Pamboor.
Fr. Nicholas Martis, SVD, Rector of Catholic Ashram, Palda-Indore delivering homily traced the origin and growth of the Holy Cross Parish, Pamboor. He said that the three powerful principles that went into making of the Pamboor Parish were faith, Hard Work and Community life. He made an appeal to the parishioners to continue growing in faith, hard work and build a united parish community.
Soon after the Requiem mass, parishioners went in procession to the cemetery. Most of the graves were decorated with flowers and candles by the family members of the departed persons. Fr. Paul Rego, Parish Priest of the Holy Cross Church conducted the prayer service and later three priests blessed the graves by sprinkling holy water. Family members stood by the side of the graves of their departed beloved family members as the priests blessed the graves.
The felicitation programme to honour the founders of the church was held in the pandal. The felicitation programme was presided over by Fr. Denis D’Souza-Founder Parish Priest of the Holy Cross Church, Pamboor. Other dignitaries on the dais included: Fr. Valerian D’Souza-Brother of Fr. Denis who had also played a role in the foundation of the Pamboor Parish, Fr. Donatus Martis-native of Pamboor and serving in the Allahabad Diocese, Fr. Paul Rego-Parish priest, William Albert Noronha-Managing Director, Southern Metals and Alloys Pvt. Limited, Mumbai, Prakash Noronha-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Asuntha D’Souza-Secretary and Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza-Convener of 18 Commissions at the Parish level.
Following the welcome address by Fr. Paul Rego, Prakash Noronha briefly introduced the founders of the Pamboor Parish. Thereafter the surviving founders and the family members of the departed founders were felicitated by offering them shawl, garland, peta and memento.
Speaking at this occasion, Fr. Valerian D’Souza who had served as the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle while the Pamboor parish was established narrated circumstances that led to the origin and growth of the Holy Cross Church. He paid rich tribute to late Marcel Martis who was instrumental in establishing a church in Pamboor. Fr. Valerian said that while he was the Assiustant Parish Priest of Moodubelle, his brother Fr. Denis D’Souza was Assistant Parish Priest of Shirva. With the blessing of Msgr. Hilary Gonslaves, the then Parish Priest of Shirva and Fr. Abundius D’Souza, the then Parish priest of Moodubelle the new parish of Pamboor was established and he erected a small chapel there for worship. Later, Bishop Basil S. D’Souza deputed Fr. Denis D’Souza as the Founder Parish Priest of Pamboor and the rest is history. He also recalled the contribution of Maurice Noronha (Malla Master) in the establishment and growth of the parish.
Fr. Donatus Martis, one of the earliest priests from Pamboor Parish narrated his memories in brief regarding the early years of the Pamboor Parish.
Fr. Denis D’Souza, the founder Parish Priest of Pamboor nostalgically narrated the circumstances that led to his being appointed as the first Parish Priest of Pamboor and remembered all those who had stood by him and contributed in the building of the first church fifty years ago. He said that the entire area was hilly and people had to work hard to level it and build the church. As money was scarce, people volunteered to work. Even Hindu brothers cooperated in building the church by providing granite stones and free labour. Fr. Denis further said that he has the greatest satisfaction of the fact that he not only served for nine years as the first parish priest of Pamboor with the cooperation and love of the parishioners, but for the fact that three infants whom he had baptized had become priests.
Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and Mrs. Mabel Menezes compeered the programme.
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