Udupi/M’Belle: Senior Citizens brave old age and summer heat to participate in ’Elders D

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 20 Mar 2015: Senior citizens above seventy years of age braved their advancing age, physical strain and sweltering summer heat to participate in a unique annual get-together usually known as  ‘Elders Day’ in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle  on Thursday, 19 March 2015, on the occasion of the feast of St. Joseph. Around 190 elders of the parish enthusiastically participated in the holy mass and the programme in the parish hall. The ‘Elders Day’ was jointly organized by the Catholic Sabha and Family Commission of the parish under the direction of the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes.

 

The elders arrived by various means of transport mostly accompanied by one of the family members. Many of them availed the facility of Confession prior to the holy mass. Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida, Parish Priest of Katapadi along with Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes concelebrated the holy mass.

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida said that the elders are the treasure of the parish as they have been responsible in passing on the strong Christian faith to their children which they had inherited from their parents. The elders should be content that in spite of having large number of children and facing poverty they could bring them up in faith and give them good education which they themselves could not avail sue to lack of resources and opportunities. God has granted the gift of tolerance to the elders through which they could face all difficulties and work for the betterment of their families and children.

 

 

Following the end of the holy mass, the elders assembled in the parish hall for a brief programme and lunch. They were seen animatedly speaking to their friends and acquaintances whom otherwise they meet rarely, may be once in a year during the ‘Elders Day’ observation. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes and Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest  were seen interacting with the elderly parishioners.

 

The programme in the hall began with the prayer song sung by the members of the parish choir. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes presided over the programme. Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Alphonse K. Alva-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Emilia Noronha-Secretary of the Council, Mrs. Gladys Rebello-President of the Catholic Sabha, Mrs. Wilma Rodrigues-Secretary of the Catholic Sabha, Mrs. Helen D’Souza-Former President of the Catholic Sabha, Henry Fernandes-Convener of the Family Commission, Moodubelle Unit and Sr. Elnora were on the dais. Rev. Fr. P. Raj-Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium High School joined the programme later.

 

Following the welcome address by Mrs. Gladys Rebello, Ignatius Monis read out the list of those parishioners who had passed away to their eternal rest during the last year and prayed for the departed souls.

 

Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Alphonse K. Alva and Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes highlighted the importance of the ‘Elders Day’ observation and wished the elders good health and peace of mind.

 

 

On behalf of the elders, William Lobo recalled the service rendered to the parish by the succeeding parish priests. William D’Sa (Willie Master) appreciated the efforts of the Catholic Sabha and Family Commission in organizing the ‘Elders Day’ and bringing together a large number of elders of the parish who otherwise would not be able to meet each other and renew their acquaintances. He also announced two prizes for the senior most elder and the mother with maximum number of children.

 

Thomas Menezes of Kappandakarya, aged 97 years won the prize being the senior most elder  and Mrs. Jobel Mendonca with 11 children cornered the other prize.

 

Charles Quadros compeered the programme and Henry Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.

 

The elders were served food on the plantain leaves placed on the tables.