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Few Thoughts – Barkur Parish Feast
It was a time, the lovely childhood days and romantic CYM days;
the feast was awaited since days, weeks, even months. Thereafter,
personally every care was taken to make it a point to be there at
home in December, by hook or crook and that was the passion! Alas,
consecutive two years I’m missing that fun.
Most of the parishes in our locality adore some holy Saint as
patron and wish to thank Almighty through him / her, for the
blessings and favors received during the year. Barkurian’s are
fortunate to have Apostle St. Peter. Wilfy Remimbus has composed a
beautiful song on ‘Amchin Phirgaz Festan’ and every word is a
fact.
In late 60’s and 70’s even in early 80’s it was the ‘Barkur Feast’
which was grand next only to Milagres, Kallianpur in the Varado.
Holy Altar full of priests, far and near, front seat occupied by
the main sponsor i.e. pirjenth, well trained choir, powerful
sermon and with solemn high mass inside the Church and the
faithful stretching till the pendal… vibrant hues, varied
fragrances, controlled chaos and whole lot of bargaining outside
the Church are the salient features of two day pomp and splendor.
Now, Brahmmavar, Udyavar,
Mount Rosary, even Sastan attract bigger crowed and better
participation. Thanks to their strategic location. Unfortunately,
our Church is cornered and loosing its sheen partly because of
geographical reasons and mainly because of poor transport links.
These and few other factors compelled many Catholic families to
leave Barkur and settle in nearby parishes. A ‘ring road via
Kachhur fields’ would have been a boon but who will bell the cat?
Anyway, the day will come and some visionary must have already
born in our town to take up this issue, let’s be optimistic.
Fine, there are people argue that in the changed scenario and
growth of commerce everyday is a feast day, no need for such
wasteful expenditure - chicken, mutton, pork, beef, whisky, beer
at homes and fire crackers and illuminating lighting, decoration
in the Church level. If one count or measure everything, most of
the things we do can be labeled as waste only! Let the haves
celebrate according to their strengths and we average will have it
in our own way. Now there are no so called economically poor
at-least in our parish.
What you feel – will this give an opportunity to unite our
families, yes a better and unique platform to introduce our
children and relatives. The only other occasions were Wedding and
funerals, and the former becoming - ‘3 hour mechanical stage
programme!
Secondly in these days everybody is busy in his / her own world,
since the feasts are on Wednesdays, distant school going children
miss a days classes and working class loose a days off! Sometime
some may feel Saturday / Sunday feast is better. In some families
Vesper night have more guests than on feast day – like
‘roce-night’ at homes used to be enjoyed to the brim than the
wedding day in the Halls!! Attraction towards, city life,
urbanization, mini-families, less number of children, all
contributed for the erosion of values in different proportion, an
air of spiritual calm on Corpus Christi Sunday with that
procession fills up the soul and takes away all errant thoughts
for a while.
All will agree our Barkur feast and ICYM made for each other for
the last three decades. One can not just imagine a feast without
its Stall, Lucky-dip, Ice Cream, Ring Throw, Housie,
Kombo….. and other new concepts….in the day and the variety
entertainments in the Evening. One has to appreciate the
enthusiasm of our youngsters. There was a time from digging holes
for poles, tents, stage, decoration, arranging chairs, cleaning
the Church and Compound…. etc used to be done by members only… for
the sake of one small tea treat! Now-a-days most of the things
hired, one of the Ex-President told me recently. Culture took a
back seat, days of
three to four
long hour dramas gone – poor response, no time… and to an extent
TV. I feel we tested the patience of public more than once, think
of the quality, which needs an improvement, no dearth of talents –
just train and fine tune them.
Barkuronline Team send its best wishes for a Happy Parish Feast to
all at Barkur and pray to Almighty to shower His Blessings on all,
through our Patron Saint Peter on this special occasion.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line and ICYM Barkur – Ex-Member’s
Association,
P.Archibald Furtado,
Muscat,
19th December, 2005.
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