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

Report & Pic by Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

12. ST. PAUL II WARD

Moodubelle, 26 May 2010:

About St. Paul II Ward: St. Paul II Ward is pretty large and is bound by St. Paul I Ward towards the east, Belle River towards the west, St. Francis I and II Wards in the north and Attinja in the south. There are 28 houses in St. Paul II Ward.

Mrs.Leena D’Souza (Gurkarn)

Mrs. Marita D’Souza & Mrs. Sunita Castelino (Representatives)

Mrs. Leena D’Souza is the Gurkarn of St. Paul II Ward. She is the ex-officio member of the Parish Council and the Catholic Sabha. In conducting the activities of the Ward, Mrs. Leena D’Souza is being assisted by two Representatives-Mrs. Marita D’Souza and Mrs. Sunita Castelino.

Late Fr.Michael D’Souza, Fr.-Baptist D’Souza, Fr. Apolin Lobo

St. Paul II Ward has a proud place in the Moodubelle Parish by providing many men and women to the service of God and the Church. There are a number of religious in this Ward. Majority of the priests from St. Paul II Ward have been serving as missionaries in North India, especially in the Diocese of Allahabad. The priests who have been serving in the Allahabad Diocese are: Fr. William D’Souza, son of  Abraham D’Souza and Emerentiana Lobo, Fr. Raymond D’Douza, son of Denis and Eliza D’Souza, Fr. Baptist D’Souza, son of Louis and Veronica D’Souza, Fr. Apolin Lobo, son of Joseph and Helen Lobo and late Fr. Michael D’Souza (d.2008). Besides these, Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida, son of Valerian and Dulcin D’Souza is a priest in the Holy Cross Order.

Fr. Raymond D’Souza & Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida

Sr. Nicoline

Sr.Paula & Fr. William D’Souza

There are a number of women from St. Paul II Ward who have joined different religious congregations.  They include: Sr. Paula FSM, who is presently in Karwar and shortly will proceed to France, Sr. Nicoline (B.S.), daughter of late Joseph and late Helen Lobo  who is presently serving in Stella Maris Convent in Sultanpur (UP), Sr. Shanthi D’Souza (FSM) who is working in Bangalore and Sr. Lilly who is in Austria.

Mr. Immanuel D’Souza, Mr Henry Quadros, Mr. Albert D’Souza

Besides the religious, St. Paul II Ward is also known for individuals who have made a mark in their life. Among these are: Albert D’Souza, son of Ignatius and Pauline D’Souza who is working as a Tahshildar at Santacruz in Mumbai, Immanuel D’Souza of Podikambala who has a poultry farm and  chicken shop at Moodubelle since 18 years and  Henry Quadros who has one of the largest jasmine gardens in  the village with around 100 jasmine plants producing up to 75 ‘chendus’ of flowers during ‘good’ season.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward:  On Sunday, 16 May 2010, the statue of St. Lawrence was respectfully handed over by Cyril D’Souza, Gurkar of St. Paul I Ward to Mrs. Leena D’Souza, Gurkarn of St. Paul II Ward. Members of both the Wards had come in procession to hand over and receive St. Lawrence. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. William D’Souza and Fr. Raymond D’souza were present on this occasion. Thereafter the members of the both the wards went in procession singing hymns in honour of St. Lawrence to the residence of Mrs. Lilly D’Souza.

On reaching the residence of Mrs. Lilly D’Souza, Fr. Joswey explained to the members of the Wards the reason behind the visit of St. Lawrence and recited the Centenary Prayer. He also blessed the house of the Gurkarn. Following light refreshment the members of both the Wards dispersed.

On Monday, 17 May 2010, from around 4.30 pm, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the residences of Jacob D’Souza, Mrs. Eliza Castelino, Benjamin Lobo, Louis D’Souza, Mrs. Rita D’Souza, Ronald D’Souza and finally the statue was rested at the residence of  Felix D’Souza. On Tuesday, 18 May 2010, the members of the Ward assembled at the residence of Felix D’Souza at 4.30pm and after Rosary and Novena prayers, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the house of Denis D’Souza where Holy Mass for the elderly and sick of St. Paul II Ward by Fr. Paul Sequeira along with Fr. William D’Souza and Fr. Raymond D’Souza. After the Mass the statue was taken to the house of Immanuel D’Souza where it rested for the night. On Wednesday, 19 May 2010, St. Lawrence paid visit to the houses of Benedict D’Souza, Leo D’Souza, Lawrence Noronha and finally to the residence of Mrs. Eliza D’Souza, where St. Lawrence made his home till the next day.

In the afternoon of Thursday, 20 May 2010, St. Lawrence visited some more houses including those of Mrs. Benedicta D’Souza and William D’Almeida where the statue was rested for the night. On Friday, 21 May 2010, St. Lawrence paid a visit to the residences of  Valerian Quadros, Francis Quadros, Mrs. Carmin Quadros, Mrs. Leticia  D’Souza, Mrs. Florin D’Souza and Casmir D’Souza in whose house St. Lawrence rested for the night. On Saturday, 22 May 2010, after reciting Rosary at the residence of Casmir D’Souza, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the residences of Joseph D’Souza, Felix D’Souza, Edward D’Souza and finally to the house of Mrs. Benedicta D’Souza for night repose.

Celebration of Ward Feast: The members of St. Paul II Ward celebrated the Ward Feast on Thursday, 20 May 2010 at 11.30 am. at the residence of Mrs. Eliza D’Souza. In the beginning, the statue of St. Lawrence was brought in procession from the house of Mrs. Eliza D’Souza to the venue of the Mass. Fr. Joswey, Fr. William and Fr. Raymond concelebrated the Mass attended by majority of the Ward members.

Following the Mass, Mrs. Leena D’Souza, the Gurkarn welcomed the priests and guests as well as the ward members. A programe of felicitation was organised to the priests from the Ward, the elderly persons and those who had reached the milestones in their married life. Fr. Joswey honoured the two priests from the Ward who were present on this occasion by offering them jasmine garlands-Fr. William D’Souza and Fr. Raymond D’Souza, both serving in the Allahabad Diocese and were on a brief holiday. Fr. Joswey also felicitated  elderly persons and the couples who had reached milestones in their married life- Lawrence and Mary Noronha for completing 53 years of their married life and Gurkarn, Leena D’Souza and her husband Valerian D’Souza on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. Fr. Raymond honoured his father and mother-Denis and Eliza who had celebrated Diamond Jubilee of their wedding on 1st May 2010. As his father could not attend the programme due to ill health, Fr. Raymond offered jasmine garlands to his mother on this occasion.

Few games were organised for the children and adults and prizes were distributed to the winners. The programme was anchored by Mrs. Marita D’Souza, the Representative of the Ward and the vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Sunita Castelino, the other Representative. Cyril D’Souza, Gurkar of St. Paul I Ward was also present for the Ward Feast. The Ward Feast concluded with sumptuous vegetarian food.

On Sunday, 23 May 2010, the members of St. Paul II ward assembled at the residence of Mrs. Benedicta D’Souza in the evening. After prayers and hymns, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession to the Nalkubeedi-Manchakal Road near the tower at 5.30 pm where the members of St. Roque I Ward had also come in procession. After the arrival of Fr. Joswey, Mrs. Leena D’Souza, the Gurkarn of St. Paul II ward reverently handed over St. Lawrence to Ambrose Mathias, Gurkar of St. Roque I Ward.

According to the members of St. Paul II Ward, during the past one week when St. Lawrence was on a visit to their Ward in general and homes in particular, they felt a kind of spiritual experience which they cannot explain. They claim that due to this spiritual experience the members of the Ward have forgotten their mutual differences and have come together as one community to pray and be together with mutual respect, affection and cooperation. They are grateful to St. Lawrence for bringing about this change in the Ward.