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WITH THANKS TO -THE PRIESTS WHO INJECTED SOCIAL, HUMAN VALUES IN US….. Unlike many of our contemporaries, though, I have very few friends among respectable priests community, sincerely admit their influence in our life is great. From the days of childhood, in Mary knoll Higher Primary School till College days in Milagres Kallianpur, in good many ways, different priests served not only in our Barkur Parish, but also few in the Varado, and later years other younger ones, influenced us immensely, even to the extent to consider to go for this sacred vocation. Biblical version states - all are called but few only chosen, - gives the consolation, of course at present, more than satisfied with Almighty’s assignments of family life to me.! Few of the attractions, far away from obligatory ritual, for two unique reasons viz. - the sermon and the choir, - we used to attend a peculiar Mass celebrated by a distinct priest, during our teenage years at Barkur. We the Barkurians in 70’s and 80’s fortunate to have highly talented assistants in the above categories viz Rev.Fathers – Stany Tauro, Henry D’Souza, Patrick Rodrigues and so on…..! Good number of times the subject picked up for the homily and the hymns chosen on that particular day, were a matter for elaborate discussion and the attraction was so much, many a times during High school days dared to skip catechism classes but not the second mass. After a weeklong routine studies, it was the Sunday, eagerly looked for… and later years, involvement in CYM activities, as the Director - ex-officio Assistant Parish Priest at the helm of affairs, had the magnetic powers, and at times to ignoring studies, the experiences and knowledge derived are unforgettable ones. The moral values, social concern, re-discovering one’s talents, career guidance, apart from knowing about our faith, served us as lamp posts in our life, for which we are indebted. After landing in Mumbai, it is the search for a Church, wherein these two factors mattered me most and different Sundays a new atmosphere with a new Church from nearby Gloria to St.Mary’s Mazgaon or Saath Rasta and up to near Station Vikhroli and at famous Mahim. Few of my friends who shared my feelings, of near boring monotones voice, listening to the preaching at a fixed Church, started accompanying us. Anyhow, at that point of time, there was a choice open for us and we bachelors made the best use of it. The very purpose of writing my experiences here, is to invite the learned reader’s attention on a couple of issues: 1) The present system of assigning Seven or more years of posting of a priest to a particular parish is fairly longer one..? That too if one priest is allocated….! 2) Is a mechanism can be worked out to rotate services of the priests, in the nearby churches both to give sermons, seminars and train the children in singing, more regularly. Let the people / children, in the less privileged parishes, get an opportunity, and younger priests with in the neighbouring, spare little time for others. 3) Now-a-days, tastes of people changing faster, compared to good old years, and Church the nerve centre of socio-cultural activities, being a symbol of unity and to play this role effectively, impartial, lively energetic persons to guide younger ones, not needed…..? Laity can play a complimentary role, but surely not a substitute to a priest in any measurement. Many a times, knowingly or otherwise - personality clash, lack of expertise to tackle certain issues, high handedness, lead to confusion and eventually group-ism, in few places we heard of. Worst of all is the influence of political parties in the corridors of the place of worship. Many are of the opinion, the time has come to laymen to embrace more responsibilities, we too accept, but let the transformation be in stages. The above are just few observations, and in the general interest, you are welcome with comments, as you always supported us for a good cause in the past On behalf of Barkur.com P.Archibald Furtado, Muscat, 07/04/ 2003.
For a series of a very high quality articles covering many subjects, by Mr. Archibald Furtado , go through the archives. Click on the respective subject |
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Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
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Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
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