Journey with St. Lawrence to the wards of Moodubelle Parish-VIII (St. Joseph Ward)

Report and Pictures by Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

8. ST. JOSEPH WARD

Moodubelle, 28 April 2010:
Saint Joseph: St. Joseph is known from the New Testament as the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. He is also known as Joseph of the House of David, Joseph the Betrothed, or Joseph the Worker. Although according to Christian tradition St. Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, he acted as his foster-father and as head of the Holy Family. During his public life Jesus was referred to as the son of Joseph. St. Joseph is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches.

The genealogy in the Gospel of St. Mathew says that Joseph’s father was called Jacob, but according to the genealogy in the Gospel of St. Luke, Joseph was a son of Heli. The Canonical Gospels, however, give neither date and place of Joseph’s birth nor of his death. All that is known from them is that Joseph lived at times in Nazareth in Galilee, before Jesus was born and on return from exile in Egypt after Herod’s death.

The name ‘Joseph’ traditionally has been taken to mean ‘carpenter’ though the Greek term is much less specific and it cannot be translated narrowly. In general, the name ‘Joseph’ means an artisan with wood in general, or an artisan in iron or stone. Very little other information on Joseph is given in the Gospels, in which he never speaks. He is mentioned in the Gospels as present on the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was 12 years old, but no mention can clearly be placed later than that one. Christian tradition, though vague on the time and place of his death, represents Mary as a widow during the adult ministry of her son, Jesus. In Roman Catholic and other traditions, Joseph is the patron saint of workers and has several feast days. He was also declared to be the patron saint and protector of the Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in 1870, and is the patron of several countries and regions.

In addition to his primary feast day in the Catholic and other traditions, Joseph is honoured by the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), introduced by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to counteract May Day, a union, workers and socialists holiday. This reflects Joseph’s status as what many Catholics and other Christians consider the ‘patron of workers’ and ‘model of workers.’ Catholic and other Christian teachings and stories about or relating to Joseph and the Holy Family frequently stress his patience, persistence and hard work as admirable qualities which believers should be adopted by all Christians.

St. Joseph Ward: St. Joseph Ward is bound by Mother Teresa Ward towards the west, St. Francis Xavier II Ward towards the east, Sacred Heart Ward in the north and the Belle River towards the south. The ward has 22 houses of Christians.

The Gurkarn of St. Joseph Ward is Mrs. Leena D’Souza who is also ex-officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Catholic Sabha. She is also a former member of the Franciscan Tertiary Order. Mrs. Leena D’Souza has been assisted by Mrs. Rita D’Sa and Mrs. Hilda D’Souza in various activities of the ward. Mrs. Hilda D’Souza has been anchoring a number of programmes in the parish and the ward.

Mrs. Leena D’Souza (Gurkarn)

Mrs. Hilda D’Souza & Mrs. Rita D’Sa (Representatives)

There are two vocations in St. Joseph Ward. Br. Mahesh D’Souza, son of Frederick and Matilda D’Souza has been undergoing training for priesthood for the last five years in St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu-Mangalore. Br. Viraj Lawrence D’Souza, son of Valerian and Leena D’Souza has joined the Society of Jesus congregation and presently is undergoing training in Bangalore.

Br. Viraj D’Souza & Br. Mahesh D’Souza

The family of Frederick D’Souza has been a prominent family of St. Joseph Ward. Frederick D’Souza has been working for the Syndicate Bank for the last 38 years and is presently Manager in the Inspection Department in the Head office at Manipal. He was chiefly responsible for establishing the branch of the Syndicate Bank in Moodubelle and became its first Manager. He had served the Syndicate Bank as Manager in various places in Karnataka and outside the state.

Br. Mahesh, Frdrick, Lucy, Matilda, Movin, Rima and Manoj

Mrs. Matilda D’Souza, wife of Frederick D’Souza also has been working in the Syndicate Bank as steno for the last 34 years. Presently, she is in the Tax department in the Head Office at Manipal. Manoj, the eldest son of Frederick and Matilda is presently in Dubai along with his wife, Rima. Both Manoj and Rima have been members of Bellevision (UAE) and have been contributing articles to Bellevision.com. The second son of Frederick and Matilda, Br. Mahesh has joined St. Joseph’s Seminary and the third son, Movin is presently studies for MBA at the NIT at Suratkal. The family lives along with Frederick’s mother, Mrs. Lucy D’Souza.

Mr Sylvester and Mrs Apoline Mathias

There are two teachers in St. Joseph Ward. Sylvester Mathias has been serving in the Church Aided Higher Primary School Moodubelle since many years. His wife, Mrs. Apoline Mathias is also a teacher and works in the Government School in Hirgan near Karkala.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward: The statue of St. Lawrence which has been making rounds in Mother Teresa Ward was brought in procession led by Gerald Fernandes, Gurkar of Mother Teresa ward and was handed over to the Gurkarn of St. Joseph Ward, Mrs. Leena D’Souza on Sunday, 18th April 2010 at 5pm. A large number of members from both the wards then continued the procession accompanied by Fr. Maxim D’Souza to the residence of the Gurkarn. Fr. Maxim conducted the prayer service following which light refreshment was served to all those who had accompanied the statue and participated in the prayer service. Mrs. Leena D’Souza thanked, Fr. Maxim, Gerald Fernandes and all the members of both the wards.

 

During the week, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to different houses in the ward where prayers, rosaries, novena and centenary prayers were recited and hymns were sung. Meanwhile, Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the blessing of the houses on different days. The statue of St. Lawrence was rested at night in different houses. On Monday, 19th April 2010 at the residence of Natalia Barboza, on Tuesday, 20th April-Santhan Martis, on Wednesday, 21st April-Vijay D’Sa, on Thursday, 22nd April-Stany D’Souza, on Friday-23rd April-Stella D’Souza, where Mass was offered by Fr. Maxim for the elderly and sick persons, on Saturday,24th April-Baptist Fernandes.

Ward Feast Day: The feast of St. Joseph also known as the Ward Feast Day was celebrated at the residence of Frederick D’Souza on Sunday, 25th April 2010. Prior to the programme, Frederick D’Souza along with other ward members ceremonially brought the statue of St. Lawrence from the residence of Baptist Fernandes to his own house and was placed on the table with beautifully arranged backdrop.

The Ward Feast programme began at 12 noon with Fr. Maxim conducting the prayer service. In a brief stage programme, Mrs. Leena D’Souza, the Gurkarn of the ward welcomed the guests-Fr. Joswey, Fr. Maxim, Henry Fernandes, Vice President of the Parish pastoral Council, Leo Simon, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier II ward and other members of the neighbouring as well as St. Joseph ward. The report of the activities of St. Joseph ward for the last year was presented by Mrs. Stella D’Souza.

In a brief felicitation programme, Mrs. Natalia Barboza, the former Gurkarn of the ward who had rendered exemplary service during her term was honoured by Fr. Maxim by presenting her shawl and fruit tray. Similarly, the eldest person of the ward, Mrs. Helen Mathias (b.1923) who has six children, five daughters and a son, 22 grand children and 27 great grand children was honoured by Fr. Maxim. Other elders in the ward were honoured by giving them flowers. The religious in the ward, Br. Mahesh and Br. Viraj (in absence) were also honoured.

 

In his message to the ward, Fr. Joswey expressed his happiness over the smooth journey of St. Lawrence in various wards and the spiritual and social rejuvenation that is quietly taking place in the wards. Fr.Maxim in his brief speech emphasised on the importance of unity among the members of the ward. Henry Fernandes and Leo Simon also spoke extending their best wishes on the occasion of the ward feast day.

The children of St. Joseph Ward presented two dances as part of the entertainment programme. Br. Mahesh and Mrs. Hilda D’Souza, who also compeered the programme, conducted few games for the children, women and men. Little Shaun sang beautifully a Konkani song. Prizes to the winners were distributed by Fr. Joswey. The ward feast ended with vegetarian lunch.

In the evening, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken in procession from the residence of Frederick D’Souza at around 4.45pm and was handed over at 5pm to Leo Simon Fernandes, the Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier II Ward who had come along with a large number of the ward members.