Seven Days Requiem Mass offered for Cavin in Moodubelle

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

Moodubelle, 28 May 2010:  The Seven Days Requiem Mass for the soul of Cavin, who was killed in the tragic aricrash at the Bajpe airport on 22 May 2010, was held at St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Friday, 28 May 2010 at 10 am. A large number of family members, relatives and parishioners were present on this occasion.

The last seven days had seen the terrible tragedy of the crash of the Dubai-Mangalore bound Air India Express IX-812 in which 158 of the 166 persons on board perished, the anxiety, trauma and grief of the family members and relatives of the unfortunate victims, the pall of gloom that descended on the entire regions covered by Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kasarogod and Bhatkal districts, the bidding of farewell to the deceased in different parishes and witnessing of heart wrenching scenes of the mourners at the funerals. Even Moodubelle parish witnessed such a funeral, that of young Cavin of St. John the Baptist II Ward who was also snatched away from his dear and near ones by the hands of the cruel fate on Saturday, 22 May 2010. Cavin’s mortal remains were rested in the family grave in the cemetery in the presence of hundreds of grieving relatives, ward members, parishioners of Moodubelle and even from neighbouring parishes on Monday, 24 May 2010.

The tears might have dried from the eyes of the family members and relatives of Cavin. But the pain and a sense of loss of this young and promising boy will take a lot of time to erase from the heart and minds of Cavin’s parents, Charles and Benedicta Sequeira and  other family members. In order to lighten the burden of grief and trauma to the family and for the eternal rest to the soul of Cavin, the Seven Days Requiem Mass was offered on Friday,  28 May 2010. The Requiem Mass was offered by Fr.Joswey Fernandes who also preached the homily linking the tragic death of Cavin with passage of the Gospel of the day in which Jesus brings to life the dead son of a widow.

After the Requiem Mass, people proceeded to the cemetery in procession and stood around the  grave of Cavin who was buried in the original grave of his grandfather Lazarus Sequeira which was decorated with flowers. Mrs. Gladys Rebello, the Gurkarn of St. John the Baptist II Ward conducted the prayers and after the prayer service people gathered in the Church Hall for a brief condolence meeting.

Mr. Ignatius Monis compeered the condolence programme. Mr. Camil Sequeira recalled the tragic air crash in which young Cavin passed away and welcomed the mourners to the brief condolence meeting. Fr. Joswey Fernandes paying tribute to Cavin said that the entire parish was shocked at the tragic news of  the air cash and he fully understood the pain, grief and a sense of loss of Charles and Benedicta Sequeira and their entire family and relatives at the passing away of their beloved Cavin. He said that we should thank Almighty God for the life that He had granted to Cavin and no one can go against the will of God. With a short story from the famous novelist, Leo Tolstoy, Fr. Joswey explained the meaning of life and death. He consoled the bereaved family and promised his prayers to overcome their grief and sorrow.

On behalf of Bellevision, Mr. Wilfred Menezes, the founder member, consoled the family of late Cavin and said that the entire Sequeira family is an example of unity and affection towards each other and pointed out how the family has been a strong supporter of Bellevision and used to participate in various programmes. He extended the condolence to Charles and Benedicta on behalf of the entire Bellevision family.

Victor Sequeira, uncle of late Cavin who had come all the way from Philadelphia in the United States of America (USA) to be with his grieving brother Charles and sister-in-law Benedicta, in a brief address expressed gratitude and thanks to all those who had stood by the family during the terrible tragedy that had fallen on the Sequeira family. He specially thanked Dr. V.S. Acharya, the Home Minister of the Karnataka Government, Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon, the MLA of the Kaup Constituency, Mr. Vasant Salian, ex-Minister in the Karnataka Government and Mr. Walter Cyril Pinto, President of the Central Council of the Catholic Sabha who had visited their house and consoled them; Fr. Joswey Fernandes, the parish priest of Moodubelle for visiting their home,  offering the funeral Mass, the Seven Days Requiem Mass and also offering the ‘Shraddhanjali’ to Cavin, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Arun Mendonca, Fr. Maxim D’Souza, Fr. Charles Menezes and Fr. Maxim Pinto (Cap) for concelebrating the funeral Mass along with Fr. Joswey and all the Sisters of the Loreto Convent for extending their support to the bereaved family.

Victor also expressed  thanks to the Principal and staff members of the Vidya Niketan School, Kaup who attended the funeral of Cavin, Gurkarn of St. John the Baptist Ward-Gladys Rebello for her cooperation and support during the last week, his cousins and neighbours-Camil Sequeira, Roshan, Johnny, Loyal, Ignatius (Inchu) and Norbert for the help that they had rendered to the family during the crisis, the members of St. John the Baptist II Ward, all the parishioners of Moodubelle and people from the neighbouring parishes who attended the funeral and the Seven Days Requiem Mass. Victor also expressed his thanks to all those from India and abroad who had sent condolence messages to the family.

Expressing the gratitude further, Victor remembered  the authorities of Air India, Police force and hospital management and  others who were kind enough to understand their grief and do the necessary paperwork.

Finally, Victor expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the entire  Bellevision  team for covering the news of the tragic death and funeral of Cavin in their website: Bellevision.com

It is indeed a great blow to Charles and Benedicta Sequeira and the entire Sequeira family at the loss of their beloved Cavin. Any amount of consolation will not wipe out the tears from their eyes and pain from their heart. Bellevision shares their pain and sorrow and extends deep sympathies to the bereaved family and pray that with the passage of time the Almighty God will give them strength to overcome this grief and pain.