Journey with St. Lawrence to the wards of Moodubelle Parish-XVI (St. Anne I Ward)

Report by Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

16. ST. ANNE I WARD

Moodubelle, 23 June 2010:
About the Ward: In the previous week St. Lawrence had undertaken journey in St. Anne II Ward and last week he was in St. Anne I Ward. The boundaries of St. Anne I Ward are: Moodubelle-Karkala Road towards the east, Fatima and St. Peter I Wards in the north, St. Anne II Ward in the east and Sacred Heart Ward in the west. The important sub-regions included in this ward are: Part of Edmeru, Gokal, Manchottu, Rai, Noorji, Nadugudde and Ganapana Katte. There are 31 Catholic families in St. Anne I Ward.

Charles Martis is the Gurkar of St. Anne I Ward. He is the member of the Parish Council and the Catholic Sabha. The Representatives of the ward are: Mrs. Jacintha Martis and Jerome D’Souza.

Mr. Charles Martis (Gurkar)

    
Mr. Jerome D’Souza & Mrs. Jacintha Martis (Representatives) 

St. Anne I Ward has some prominent personalities. Dr. Denis Fernandes, son of Casmir and Carmine Fernandes is a lecturer of History in St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. His wife-Mrs. Jenitha Fernandes is also a teacher in the Milagres Junior College in Mangalore.

Dr Denis Fernandes

 
Dr Veena D’Souza & Elvira Lobo

  
Lionel Fernandes & Valerian D’Souza

Valerian D’Souza, son of late Ligory and Piad D’Souza is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and works for Dulsco Company is Dubai since seven years.  Dr. Veena D’Souza, daughter of Vincent and Pricilla D’Souza has completed MBBS from KVG Medical College, Puttur is presently working at Sullia. Lionel Fernandes, son of Leo and Helen Fernandes is a member of the Mangalore University Cricket team. Miss Elvira Lobo-daughter of Elias and Treeza Lobo is studying for MSc (Bio-Technology) degree in an Australian University.

Visit of St. Lawrence: On Sunday, 13th June 2010, at 5.30pm, the statue of St. Lawrence was welcomed by the members of St. Anne I Ward under the leadership of the Gurkar, Charles Martis who accepted it from the Gurkarn of St. Anne II Ward, Mrs. Jacintha Aranha. Thereafter the members of both the wards along with Fr. Joswey Fernandes went in procession to the residence of Charles Martis where Fr. Joswey conducted the prayer service. He also blessed Gurkar’s and the nearby houses.

On Monday, 14th June, from the house of Charles Martis the statue of St. Lawrence was taken at around 10.30 am to the houses of Alvyn Noronha, John Baptist Mendonca, Charles Fernandes, Jacintha Martis and Piad D’Souza where the statue was rested. On Tuesday, 15th June at 5 pm, Fr. Joswey offered Mass at the residence of Jerome D’Souza for the elderly and sick persons of the ward. On Wednesday, 16th June from 10.30 am, after reciting novena prayers at the residence of Jerome D’Souza, St. Lawrence visited the homes of Nadugudde Albert Fernandes, Manchottu Lawrence Alva, Louis Alva, Frederick D’Souza, Gilbert D’Souza, Walter D’Souza, Norbert Alva and Elias Lobo where St Lawrence stayed for the night.

On Thursday, 17th June morning, the Small Christian Community (SCC) meeting was conducted at the residence of Elias Lobo. Thereafter, the statue was taken in procession to the houses of Vincent D’Souza, Louis Fernandes, Andrew Alva, Michael Mendonca and Marcel Mathais. On Friday, 18th June from 10.30 am St. Lawrence went around the residences of Casmir Fernandes, Ambrose Quadros, Isidore Quadros, Francis Quadros, Alice D’Souza and Mark Mathais. On Saturday, 19th June, after reciting prayers at the residence of Mark Mathais, the statue was taken to the house of Leo Fernandes at 7pm where evening Angelus and Rosary were recited.

At residences of each member in the ward, the statue of St. Lawrence was kept for at least half an hour during which novena and centenary prayers were recited and hymns were sung. On the way, while the statue was taken from one house to the other in procession, hymns dedicated to St. Lawrence and Holy Spirit were sung.

The Ward Feast: The Ward Feast of St. Anne I Ward was celebrated on Sunday, 20th June 2010 at 12 noon at the residence of Mrs. Helen Leo Fernandes. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Mrs. Meera Lobo, Secretary of the Parish Council and sisters from the Loreto Convent-Sr. Vineetha, Sr. Naviditha and Sr. Iliene were present as guests of honour.

The entire programme was compeered by Elias Lobo. First of all, Miss Lorina D’Souza presented the prayer dance. The guests and ward members were welcomed by the Representative of the ward, Mrs. Jacintha Martis and were presented with roses.

As part of the entertainment programme, Renita Fernandes performed a solo dance. A well coordinated group dance was presented by Jevita Martis, Prima Mendonca, Loretta Fernandes and Joyce Fernandes.  Vinona D’Souza sang a beautiful song. Mrs. Seema D’Souza conducted few games which were quite funny and were enjoyed not only by the participants but also by the entire gathering.

Mr. Casmir and Mrs. Carmine Fernandes were felicitated by Fr. Joswey as the longest married couple in the ward by presenting them shawl, jasmine garlands and presents. They have been married for nearly 58 years. Flavita Quadros, daughter of Francis and Jyothi Quadros was honoured for scoring 85 per cent marks in the SSLC examinations. Presently, Flavita has taken admission in First Year PUC Science in St. Lawrence PU College, Moodubelle. Mr. Valerian D’Souza was felicitated by Sr. Vineetha presenting a rose to him. Fr. Paul Sequeira felicitated the Gurkar- Charles Martis.

Fr. Joswey and Fr. Lancy in their messages complimented the Gurkar, Representatives and all the members of St. Anne I Ward for the well organised Ward Feast and the programme. Fr. Joswey said that he was pleased to see a number of talented youngsters who presented the entertainment programmes.

Charles Martis, the Gurkar of the ward proposed the vote of thanks in a hilarious manner which brought smiles on every face. The grace before the lunch was recited by Fr. Paul Sequeira.

In the evening of Sunday, 20th June 2010 at around 5pm, the statue of St. Lawrence was brought in procession by the members of St. Anne I Ward near the main gate of the Church where it was received by the members of St. Peter I Ward led by Mrs. Gracy Rebello, the Gurkarn of the Ward.