Dubai: Requiem mass in English offered for the departed souls of AIE crash victims

Media Release

Dubai, 03 June 2010: St. Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC), Dubai organized a requiem mass in English on Tuesday, 01st June 2010, at 7.00 PM at St. Mary’s Church for the 158 victims of the Air India express crash at Bajpe Mangalore airport on 22nd May early morning. This gave an opportunity for the Catholic community in Dubai to pray for all the victims.

The church was crowded as people came in large numbers to take part in the sorrow and to pray for the families who lost their near and dear ones. Fr. Tomasito Vernacion, Parish priest of St. Mary’s Church, Dubai , Fr. Freddy D’souza. Spiritual Director and Asst Priest of the Konkan Community concelebrated the Eucharistic service at 7.00 PM praying for the departed souls of the victims on board the ill-fated flight IX 812. All the 158 names were printed and displayed at the center of the altar with a wreath placed in honour of them.

Mrs. Jennifer Mascarenhas, Main Coordinator of St. Mary’s Konkan Community delivered the eulogy at the end of the service. As she spoke, few pictures were displayed on the screen and the congregation were rapt with attention while feeling the pain and sorrow of the victims. She poignantly briefed the incident and expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased passengers on board flight IX 812 from Dubai to Mangalore, praying that the Lord may give them strength and courage to face the untimely loss of their loved ones.

As quoted at the beginning of the eulogy: Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.