Memorable Visit to Australia - A Dream Come True

By Rev. Fr. Valerian DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Fr. Valerian had been to all over the world. Several times he had been to America, Middle East and Europe. He had a dream of visiting Australia. But at the age of 80 it was a bit delicate. Hence he asked me to accompany him in his journey. It did work. Though the journey was to take place in November, 2011, it actualized only  in February  2012. Read rest of the story from Fr. Valerian’s pen.

-  Fr. Charles Menezes

 

Mangalore, 28 March 2012: I was a bit hesitant to travel at this age, but the support of Fr. Charles  Menezes, YCS/YSM National Director, helped me to take the risk of accepting the invitation from Fr. Prakash to visit Australia. Mary Bai, mother  of Fr. Charles  also accompanied us.

 

While I was serving as the parish priest of the Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, Fr. Chalres Menezes from Moodubelle and Fr. Prakash Cutinho of Mukka were helping me as assistant parish priests. Later, while Fr. Charles was appointed as the National Director of YCS/YSM, Fr. Prakash was deputed by the Bishop of Mangalore to Melbourne in Australia where he has been serving as the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church at Northcote.

 

Prior to our journey to Australia, we had a medical checkup in Bangalore in December 2011, and we came through without any problem. Having participated in the Mangalore Diocesan Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Programme, we set forth to Australia on 14 February 2012.

 

On our way to Australia, we took a break at Bangkok where Homme, a YCSer (Fr. Charlie’s friend) took care of us and helped us visit Bangkok city for a day.  The Holy temple, the pompous building sites and the cruise dinner in the night were very enjoyable. Homme and her friend drove us around the city and beaches where we could understand why people throng to this city and how they enjoy life there. Her mother drove us to the airport next morning.  It was like a family coming together for us, just because it was an extended YCS family. We thank Homme and her family for their company and help.

 

We set forth to Australia on the morning of 16 February 2012 from Bangkok and upon landing at Melbourne in the evening we were surprised to see many people who had come to receive us. Fr. Prakash, Vally Menezes, Fr. Jerry, Stanley and their family members were waiting for us. Even then in that night we went to Vally’s house for supper and reached Northcote (Fr. Prakash’s Parish) at 1 am. We could go to bed only at 4am after a shower and sharing of our experiences during the long journey.

 

It was a tight schedule for us while we were in Australia. We were informed of having booked dinners at 14 places beforehand. We took rest on 17 Febrary till noon and then set forth to visit friends and places. Melbourne city is worth visiting. The broad roads, green gardens, decent eateries, beautiful sky highs and hospitable people are worth mentioning here. We saw the Aquarium, Crown Plaza, Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, St. Mary Michelop’s House, MCG Stadium and other places which filled us with awe. We watched a cricket match at MCG. We travelled by bus, tram, train and all other means. Fr. Prakash would spare any time for us as he wanted to make us feel at home. Of course he had taken one month’s leave from his office though doing the needy chores in the night after we reached home before he went to sleep almost at 3 am daily.

 

We had a big celebration on 19Fbruary at Vally’s home. His daughter Romona received First Holy Communion on that day. It was a graceful celebration at church as well as at home.  I offered Mass and Fr. Charles preached. We could meet so many Mangaloreans on that day and wondered at how nicely they mingled as one family. Everyone would help everywhere, may be in the arrangements, in the kitchen, in the programme etc. It was a site to watch. The day went on very well though we watched India lose the cricket match to the Australians.

 

 

The days followed with dinners everywhere. It was a wonderful thing to see that everyone carried a dish each when they came for dinners. Some brought meat dish, some fish, some vegetables, some deserts, some soft drinks etc and others would help in the kitchen. We felt every day was a feast day. We had another beautiful experience; upon coming back to the Parish we had a little evaluation of the day with an ounce of variety of wines with Fr. Prakash.

 

We saw a good thing in Fr. Prakash that he is a friend of all. The Archbishop David Hart of Melbourne, the Auxiliary Bishops, the priests whether Australians or other nationalities were all his friends. He had friends among Hindus, Arabs, Aussies and people of other Christian denominations and even from those places  where he had studied. He took us to all the places where he worked and to his Deaken University where he is doing his MBA studies.  We wondered how he could make friendship with all those in such a short time and remember their houses and streets but it did happen. He is a wonderful guy.

 

Vally, Stany and Elias were very much concerned about us. Every morning they would call Fr. Prakash to know whether he needs their help or where he takes us around. For two days Elias took care of us and drove us to Great Ocean Road, Geelong and 12 Apostles. Praveen  took us to Dandenong Mountains and bird sanctuary. Elias and Stany took us to Weribee Mansion and famous Rose garden. Everything was beautiful.

 

We met so many people of our origin and had dinners with them. Fr. Prakash’s friend Eliza from Vietnam offered us a dinner at Hampton town where Fr. Sims (Papua New Guinea) also joined us. The sisters of Santa Maria and Little Sisters of the Poor and teachers of St. Joseph Church School were very kind to us. We offered mass in the Northcote church all through the month and relieved Fr. Prakash from preaching which helped us know how to preach short homilies and also in Aussie accent. I got a chance to offer Italian mass on Sunday after a gap of 40 years. I wondered at my little memory and made the Italians feel proud of talking to them in Italian language.

 

We had a wonderful gathering of Mangaloreans at Northcote where we met so many new people. After the Mass,  a small get together was arranged and we had food together shared by all. We blessed many houses as the custom we have in Mangalore and prayed for the needy.

 

We got a chance to visit Sydney where Stanley was the host. Unfortunately he fell sick on the first day but we were led by Marita and Wilfred through the city of Sydney. Berryl, wife of Stanley who is a strong woman made herself available even when Stanley was in the hospital to take us around the Cathedral and Harbour Bridge. Fr. Paul and Fr. Jose were very kind to us and good hosts where we stayed in the church for three days. We did enjoy the trip to Sydney and around.

 

Having visited Australia at the dusk of my life I do admit that Australia ranks first in my list as regards roads, life situation, cleanliness and hospitality of the people. I have visited all over the World but I consider myself  fortunate to have seen Australia once in my lifetime. I owe my grateful thanks to Fr. Prakash, Stany my sponsor, Vally Menezes, Stanley, Marita and all those I met there and their family members.

 

I do remember some names of those who hosted dinner for us; Vally & Karen, Helga & Mary Bai, Stany & Lavina, Praveen & Careen, Sherry & family, Angelo & family, Manoj & Sandria, Arun & Reena, Alphonse & family,  Pradeep & family, Suraj & Flavia, Dolphy & family, Wilma & family, Steevan & Anita, Jossy & Gretta, Prakash & family,  Elias & family, Wilfred & Marita, Stanley & Berryl, James & Pamela, Abdulla & Majeed, Jane & family, Sisters of Santa Maria and Little Sisters of the Poor, Fr. Calvin, Fr. Michael, Fr. Paul, Fr. Gerry, Eliza & friends are some of the names I can still remember at this old age. Of course their children also made our stay a memorable one. We had many more invitations but could not make them.

 

I wish I get another chance to visit Australia and if health permits I will visit this enchanting country once again and meet all the fine people and their families  as long as Fr. Prakash resides there. I wish our Bishop allows him to continue serving there for another term so that he can bring the Mangalorean community together and help them in their needs especially when someone new arrives in Australia. May be we suggest a priest from Mangalore is sent to work in Melbourne regularly to take care of our community which is also a good idea of spreading the good news and taking care of Konkani speaking community through monthly Konkani Mass and especially grand celebration of Monti-fest, Christmas and social get together.

 

We wish our Bishop attends this years’ Monti-fest at Melbourne and Sydney as per the wish of the Mangalorean community of these two cities and encourages them to come together supporting each other.

 

We wish all the people over there good health of body and peace of mind and good return for their hard labour. May God bless  them in their time of crisis and difficulties. I would suggest people who want to settle somewhere outside India to choose Australia for a better greener pasture.

 

We were back in India on 14 March 2012 after a fruitful holiday along with Mary Bai and Fr. Charles.

 

Hey I will be there once again!!! God bless.