EVENTS:

Ward Day Celebrations of Holy Cross / Kodical A Ward

The 27th of October 2019 was marked with much zeal and enthusiasm as the members of the Holy Cross ward unitedly celebrated their ward feast during the Eucharistic celebration at 8 am. The main celebrant of the mass was Fr. Pratik Pereira OP.

In the evening the get together was attended by 180 members approximately in the parish hall. Fr. Aquin Noronha- parish priest, Fr. Royston Lobo- asst. parish priest, Mr. Richard Gonsalves- vice president, Mr. Isac Furtado- secretary, Mrs. Eugenia Pinto-coordinator of SCC were the guests of honour.

Mr. Alwyn Pinto the MC of the evening welcomed the guests and the programme began with prayers led by Ms.Monica D’silva. The Angelus was led by Ms. Shane Crasta. After the prayer session the guests were invited on the dais and the gurkar Mr.Norgi D’silva welcomed each one of them and presented a rose to them. Mrs. Apoline Menezes presented the report of the SCC meetings and activities conducted in the ward during the year.

A welcome dance by the tiny tots dressed in red was a cynosure for the eyes. Mr. Richard Gonsalves in his speech spoke about the need for unity in the ward and when the people come together and work together we can have a vibrant and active parish community. He also praised the ward members for being very enthusiastic in all parish activities and always being supportive. Fr. Aquin Noronha in his address congratulated the ward members for their selfless service to the parish and especially the young children who are involved in various activities of the church. He mentioned that this ward works together more towards the spiritual growth wherein in the month of May the rosary was prayed taking the statue of Mother Mary from house to house thus facilitating bonding between the neighbors. Most of the wards in the church have named their wards after some saints but here we have named our ward as Holy Cross ward thus deriving strength and grace from the risen Lord. He also thanked the Gurkar for bringing people together and having a SCC led by youth in the ward which is unique.

The achievers of class 10th and PU were honoured with a rose. After this Ms.Sania D’souza who won gold medals in the state level and qualified for the nationals and Vion D’souza who is also a budding swimming champion at the state level were felicitated with a shawl and fruits.

Mr. Leslie & Deborah Locker- a couple truly noteworthy for their service in the ward and working with the youth were honoured with a shawl and fruits.

Since we have a SCC group for youth and children which is very unique, the core group members of this viz: Monica, Loyston , Ostin, Freya, Seanna and Wilona were recognized for their selfless service.

A skit directed by Mrs. Nirmala Pinto about how an elderly woman who wanted to be in par with the modern world shows that she too knows to use a cell phone - was enacted by Mrs. Mary D’silva, Freya and Wilona.

An entertaining skit “Jadu” was perfomed by Mr. Isac Furtado and Mr. Cyprian Pinto which left the crowd mesmerized by their tactics. Mrs. Nirmala Pinto and Mr. Isaac Furtado sang a melodious Konkani duet song and Ashton Fernandes accompanied them on the keyboard.

There were dance performances by our youngsters which were choreographed by Wilona. Our amazing teenagers- Freya, Seanna, Nelisa, Melissa and Wilona danced to various re-mix numbers and entertained the gathering.

The elders of the ward under the direction of Mr. Isac Furtado performed a beautiful dance to the song “ Amorechi Ganth Zathana”. Mrs. Rennie Gonsalves, Mrs. Rita Pinto, Mrs. Apoline Menezes, Mrs. Nirmala Pinto, Mrs. Mary D’silva, Mrs. Cynthia Pinto, Mrs. Nathalia Furtado and Mrs. Jessy D’souza were so lively and entertaining.

The entire group was then involved in group games conducted by Mrs. Debbie Locker which got the young and old participating actively. Some of the games like making a variety of hats got the entire group together as well as singing Baa Baa black sheep in Konkani classical way was very entertaining.

Mrs. Nirmala Pinto gave a very meaningful vote of thanks which touched the hearts of all present.

The evening came to an end with a sumptuous dinner enjoyed by all and Fr. Aquin Noronha led the grace before meals.

By the grace of God, a pleasant weather marked the success of the celebrations of the ward under the able leadership of our Gurkar Mr. Norgi D’silva, ward representatives- Mrs. Apoline Menezes and Mrs. Preethi Fernandes. The active participation and involvement of the young and elders is enough proof to the unity and love present in the ward.

The photography of the ward day celebrations was done by Mr. Roshan D'Souza