Journey with St. Lawrence to the wards of Moodubelle Parish - X (St. Francis Xavier I ward)

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

10. ST.FRANCIS XAVIER I WARD

Moodubelle, 12 May 2010:

About the Ward: St. Francis Xavier II ward is bound by the Karkala-Udupi Road towards the north, Kattingeri Road in the south, Nalkubeedi towards the east and St. Francis Xavier II Ward in the west. The Ward has an important historical place, Kuduremale, a considerably high hill with thick forest which was probably associated with the horses as the name of the place suggests. St. Francis Xavier II Ward has as many as 35 houses of Catholics.

Albert Martis (Gurkar)

Francis Lobo, Celestine Martis (Representitives)

The Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I ward is Mr. Albert Martis. He is also the member of the Parish Pastoral Council and Catholic Sabha.  Mr. Albert Martis is a well-known contractor in Moodubelle. He along with his son, Mr.  Harold Martis manage the business. In his activities in the Ward, Mr. Albert Martis is assisted by two representatives-Mr. Francis Lobo and Mrs. Celestine Martis. Mrs. Celestine Martis is a well-known social worker in the Ward. She is presently the member of the Udupi Taluk Panchayat.

Family of late Immanuel D’Souza

Fr. Mathew, Dr. Albert, late Pope John Paul II, Dr. Alphonse and Fr. Edwin.

St. Francis Xavier I Ward has been a fertile ground for vocations as a large number of men and women have joined various religious congregations and also secular priesthood. Among the prominent families of St. Francis Xavier I Ward, the family of late Immanuel D’Souza (Monnu Master) stands out in terms of vocations.  Monnu Master who passed away in 2004 after completing 101 years of life was blessed with 13 children-9 sons and 4 daughters. Among these 13 children, 6 of them-4 sons and 2 daughters have dedicated themselves to the service of Christ and the church. Among the four sons, two are Bishops- Rt. Rev. Dr. Alphonse D’Souza is the Bishop of Raigaj and Rt. Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza is presently the Archbishop of Agra. Among other two sons, Rev. Fr. Mathew D’Souza is serving the church in Florida (USA) and Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza is in Canada. Among two daughters of Monnu Master who had joined the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod Congregation, Sr. Lucy is no more and Sr. Eugene D’Souza is the Superior General of the same congregation whose headquarters is based in Geneva in Switzerland.

Sr.Jannice Martis, Sr.Prathima

Sr.Monica, Sr. Isabella Lobo

Bishop Alphonse D’Souza, Fr.Rosario Fernandes

Bishop Albert D’Souza, Sr. Eugene D’Souza

Fr Dancy Martis, Br.Leston Lobo

Among the other priests of the Ward, Rev. Fr. Rosario Fernandes is the parish priest of Kuppepadav in Mangalore Diocese; Rev. Fr. Paul Fernandes is serving in the Jamshedpur Diocese in Bihar;  Rev. Fr. Dancy Martis was ordained as the Capuchin priest on 29th April 2010 and  Br. Felix Martis is serving in the Ranchi Province in Jharkhand. The Brothers undergoing training for priesthood include-Br. Frolic Fernandes (Capuchin) is doing Regency and Br. Leston Lobo (Jesuit) is undergoing Novitiate training in Mount St. Joseph’s Seminary, Bangalore.
Other than late Sr. Lucy and Sr. Eugene as mentioned above, the list of religious women from St. Francis Xavier I Ward is quite impressive. Sr. Prathima Fernandes, daughter of Leo and Angeline Fernandes is a Bethany Sister and is presently working in Sultanpur; Sr. Monica Fernandes, sister of Sr. Prathima is also a Bethany Sister and is presently serving in Hassan District; Sr. Isabella Lobo, Bethany Sister is in Rome; Sr. Louisa Lobo, Bethany Sister; Sr. Shanti Lobo, Bethany Sister; Sr. Anitha Martis serves in South Africa; Sr. Theresa Monis; Sr. Leena D’Sa and Sr. Janice, daughter of late Salvador and Severine Martis.

Ronald Sabi D’Souza, Dr. Diana DSouza

Clement Lobo, Dr. Norbert Lobo

Bradly, Flavia, Benedict, Brenda

Among the prominent lay persons of St. Francis Xavier I Ward are: Dr. Norbert Lobo who is a Professor of Economics in St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. Mr. Benedict Martis is the President of the Lions Club of Moodubelle for the year 2009-10. His wife Mrs. Flavia Martis is the President of the Lioness Club and their son Bradley is the President of  the Leo Club  and is presently completing the final year of Engineering in Computer Science in NMAMIT – Nitte, and daughter Brenda is a youth leader and is presently doing second year of Engineering in Computer Science.
Mr. Ronald Sabi D’Souza, son of Mr. Bernard and Mrs. Regina D’Souza and grandson of Monnu Master is a self made man and is running his own business under the name Bluechem in Dubai. He is the former President of Bellevision (UAE). Ronald’s wife, Dr. Diana D’Souza (MBBS, MD) is reputed doctor who is also working in Dubai. Another doctor in the Ward is Dr. Ananth Prakash D’Souza (MBBS, MD). Mr.  Clement Lobo, brother of Valerian Lobo is a well-known lawyer in the Mumbai High Court.

Visit of St. Lawrence to the Ward: In the last week, after making rounds in St. Francis Xavier II Ward, the statue of St. Lawrence was received by Mr. Albert Martis, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I Ward from the hands of Mr. Leo Simon Fernandes, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier II Ward near the house of Mr. Henry Monis on Sunday, 2nd May 2010 at around 5pm. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, the parish priest was present during this occasion. After the statue was taken to the house of Mr. Albert Martis, Fr. Joswey recited the prayer in preparation of the centenary of the foundation of the Moodubelle parish. After serving light refreshments and cold drink to the members of both St. Francis Xavier I and II Wards, Fr. Joswey blessed the house of Mr. Albert and other neighbouring houses.

As in other Wards, the statue was taken to each and every house in the Ward where novena and centenary prayers were recited along with the hymns dedicated to St. Lawrence. The statue of St. Lawrence was rested for the night during the week in the residences of  Mr.Albert Martis on Sunday, 2nd May 2010, Mr.Lawrence Lobo on Monday, 3rd May, , Mr. Benedict John Martis on Tuesday, 4th May, Mr. Louis Martis on Wednesday,  5th May, Mr. Timothy Fernandes on Thursday, 6th May 2010.

On Friday, 7th May, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken from the residence of Mr. Timothy Fernandes to the house of Mrs. Angeline Fernandes where Holy Mass for the sick and elderly persons of St. Francis Xavier I Ward was conducted at 5pm by Fr. Paul Sequeira assisted by Fr. Dancy Martis. Bethany Sisters from the Loreto Convent were present during the Mass. Around 60 ward members were present for this Mass. On Saturday, 8th May, after taking the statue to the neighbouring houses was rested in the house of Mrs. Juliana D’Souza.

Celebration of the Ward Feast: On Sunday, 9th May 2010, the statue of St. Lawrence was taken to the residence of Mr. Hilary Aranha where the Ward Feast (Vadyachem Festh) was celebrated.  Ward members started gathering in the house of Mr. Hilary Aranha from 11.30 am. At 12 noon, Mr. Francis Lobo took the responsibility of the Master of the Ceremonies and conducted  the entire programme of the Ward Feast.  Ashwini Fernandes and Hezel Martis presented the prayer song. Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the prayer service. Mr. Albert Martis, the Gurkar of the Ward welcomed the guests and the Ward members. The guests included, Fr. Joswey, Fr. Dancy, Henry Fernandes, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Sr. Davidika, Sr. Lucy and Sr. Shanti.

Viona, daughter of  Mr. Hilary  and Mrs. Rupina Aranha, the host of the Ward  feast celebrated her 7th birthday by cutting the cake.  During the programme, felicitation programme was held in honour of Fr. Dancy Martis (Capuchin)who was ordained a priest on 29th April 2010 and offered his first Holy Mass in Moodubelle on 6th May 2010. The eldest members of the Ward, Mrs. Celestine Fernandes (81) and Thomas Lobo (79) were honoured. Master Pradeep Lobo who scored highest marks in Second Year PUC Commerce in the recently declared results was also felicitated. Hezel, Henson and Brenda  Martis presented songs. Various games were also organised for entertainment and prizes were distributed to the winners.  The winners in the games were: Joylin D’Souza, Bleston Aranha, Diana Lobo, Juliana D’Souza, Antony Aranha and Godwin Fernandes. At the end of the programme, Mr. Benedict Flavia Martis proposed the vote of thanks. This programme was followed by lunch.

In the afternoon at around 3pm, the members of St. Francis Xavier I ward took the statue of St. Lawrence in procession to Nalkubeedi where it was handed over to the Gurkar of St. Paul I Ward, Cyril D’Souza.