Kuwait: Farewell to Francis and Jessy DSouza

Media Release

Chirst the King Konkani Prayer Family, Kuwait bids Farewell to Francis & Jessy D’souza

 

Kuwait, 07 November 2011: On the 03rd of November 2011, Christ the King Konkani Prayer Family during their weekly prayer meeting at the Cathedral Church Hall in Kuwait City, bid farewell to Francis & Jessy D’souza, a well known veteran couple popularly known in and around Kuwait as - Jessybai & Pinchu Mestri, has served the Konkani Community in all possible fields – Religious, Cultural, Social, Dramatics & Music etc., for the past 17 years.

 

“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers / sisters that you do unto me”

 

The life of Francis & Jessybai was a living proof of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as quoted above.  Beginning his service in the Konkani Liturgy as Choir Master, Francis led the KCWA Choir from the year 1993 onwards. Thereafter he was joined by his wife Jessybai in 1995 and there was no looking back in their all round dedicated and selfless service to the Konkani Community; especially, their combined services to Christ the King Konkani Prayer Group.

 

 

With Jessybai’s arrival in Kuwait the prayer group had a great revival. Accompanied by Francis, she led the people in prayer and as both of them sang the glories of God, the Spirit of the Lord touched the people and reformed many a hearts.

 

Their selfless service went to the extent of reaching out to people in their most distressing and helpless situations – be it a sickness, dispute, death in the family or a prayer request, counseling, guidance etc. Two of the many things that they have done need to be mentioned here:

1. When housemaids who were ill-treated by their employees were stranded in the Embassy, Jessybai took the initiative to collect money and help send them to India.

2. When there was a death in Kuwait and the body needed to be sent to India, it was Jessybai whom the people approached and she was ever ready to help them in the formalities, even bathing and dressing the body, what no one else would have done willingly.

 

There are several such occasions and situations in which they have extended their helping hand. The community has been benefited immensely by their spiritual guidance and their wisdom. Even though, they had a lot of hardships and difficulties in their own family, they always put the needs of others first. In all their crisis, prayer alone was their stronghold.
With heart filled gratitude and sadness the Konkani community bids farewell and wishes God’s choicest Blessings on them, their family and their future endeavors.

 

Farewell to Francis & Jessy D’Souza by Ahmadi-Kuwait Parish

 

Once again a beautiful event organized in Our Lady of Arabia Parish in Ahmadi-Kuwait Church had conducted a Farewell Program on Friday the 4th of November 2011 to Francis and Jessy D’Souza, the Couple that, served for Konkani Community since 17 years in Kuwait without any selfishness in all fields as in Culturally, Socially and particularly in Liturgical Activities and leaving the Kuwait for good.

 

Mr. Francis and Mrs. Jessy as a couple started the Adoration of Holy Sacrament in 1995 in Ahmadi Church*, even they were extremely in a struggle stage for livelily hood, they forgot their personnel problems and started the First Friday Adoration for the Konkani Community as there was no adoration till date in Konkani. By giving praise and worship to God they not only encouraged people to attend the adoration but also brought many of them closer to God from various Parishes of Kuwait as they used to bring the Konkani People to bring to the Church along with them in their own cost for Adoration, as Fr. Noel Almeida said, THEY THOUGHT US HOW TO PRAY.

 

 

On this occasion, on behalf of the Konkani community a floral bouquet was presented to them by small children, Reanne and Joyella, as the coming generation should be motivated by this couple.  Fr. Noel Almeida then expressed his words of gratitude to Francis and Jessy for their commendable service to the people of God.  He was also grateful to them for their advice and support they rendered to him when he started his ministry in Kuwait.

 

Stephen Sequeira presented a farewell speech about the achievement of Francis and Jessy D’Souza in Kuwait. He gave a brief introduction on contribution about the said Couple and thanked for their Contribution towards the Konkani Community and proclaimed as it is an only one Couple who rendered a supreme Service towards the Konkani Community in last 17 years in Kuwait.

 

A framed Farewell Letter was handed over by a well-known Konkani singing couple Rony D’Cunha (Golden Voice of Mangalore) and Jasmine D’Cunha to Francis and Jessy as a symbolic that, they are continuing the work for God which had started by Mr. Francis and Jessy D’Souza.

 

As a last and a most beautiful moment Fr. Noel Almeida presented a Memento as a token of our love and appreciation.  He expressed his feelings as requested the people to follow the achievements of the Couple. He thanked Mr. Francis and Jessy gratefully for their Love towards the Parish.

 

Stephen once again thanked Francis and Jessy and assured that they will be always remembered by the Konkani Community of Kuwait and sincerely invited the Couple to conduct the last Adoration in the Church. Mr. Francis and Mrs. Jessy had conducted their last Adoration in Ahmadi Church with a Great Spiritually, shared their experience with Jesus Christ and thanked the whole Kuwait Konkani Community for their support and gratitude.

 

*Adoration of Holy Sacrament since 1995 in Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi-Kuwait

Started by the said Couple and continuing by Rony and Jasmine D’Cunha.
Conducting by: Fr. Noel Almeida, OFM Capuchin
Timings: Every First Friday of the Month, after the Konkani Mass at 11.00 am (11.00 am to 01.00 noon)
Bring your problems and they will be solved, thank your Lord and you will be blessed.