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Adieus to Fr. Aranha and Warm welcome to Fr. Alban D’Souza.
‘Barkur parish’
having a
colorful history of almost 150 long years, had the privilege to be
served by great priests in the past, who were mainly responsible
to keep the Catholic faith live, responded to the
needy……….especially till the last decade, provided best of the
elementary education through its famous Mary knoll School in the
locality.
Of course each and every household grateful to all of them who
served in the past….., now in heavenly abode, served here few
years ago and now serving elsewhere, also those great priests rose
to great heights in recognition and authority… but we are
fortunate ones to be served by them once upon a time….!
The Diocese had adopted a policy of seven years of service in a
particular parish in late 70’s and earlier our parish had an
exceptional stay of more than 14 years of service in V. Rev.
Monsignor Denis Jerome D’Souza and V.Rev. Aloysius Rosario……
The day has come; our charismatic Vicar Rev. Fr. Remigious
Aranha has to leave Barkur after a wonderful stint of seven
long years….now to be Vicar vara of Pezar varado, yet another
historical Church in the Diocese, on 31st May 2011. The
legacies left behind by this attractive personality will be
preserved for years to come, and most importantly the two visible
structures, viz. the ‘Community Hall’ and the newly shaped
Entrance Gate remind anyone of the mastermind behind its
execution.
Each one of the parishner, young and old may have his / her
rendezvous experience with the no nonsense, devout, known for
short and sweet conversations, during their visit to Church
Office………..In fact, many of us fascinated by his time sense,
punctuality and un biased approach with haves and have not’s…..also
short to the point sermons………….
All of us thank him and wish all the very best in his new
assignment as the Vicar Vara of Pezar.
Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza is a known
name to us in Gulf, not long ago but last February, 2011; he was
here to give us a Konkani Retreat in Muscat. We personally heard
him and his commanding voice, vast knowledge of Holy Scriptures;
real life examples to prove his point were amazing. Truly none of
Barkurian’s here thought at that time; one day he will be our
Vicar…..!! It’s now a proud feeling. Probably he is the youngest
Parish Priest Barkur ever had!! Just – 12 years of priesthood
(ordained in the year 1999)
Fr. Alban, hails from jasmine fame Shankarapura/Pangla, after
ordination served earlier in Cordell/Kulshekar. His recent Seven
years in Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus at Pakshikere was well-known.
Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, had commendable achievements to his
credit, and the locals proudly remember him as the ‘Architect
of Modern Pakshikere”, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee in
2010 – 50th Year of formation.
Though the Church here served by as many as a dozen priests
earlier, most of them were here just for a couple of years….
baring the Rev. Fr. Stanley R. Pereira, Fr. Andrew Lewis and
popular Fr. Basil Vaz who were here for more than seven years, and
it’s the last seven years of Fr. Alban, fondly admired by the
locals, for many reasons - to convert Pakshikere as pilgrimage
destination with all round development, facilities and manifold
progress.……..!
Arrival to Barkur to be the Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Church:
It’s more of a blessing to Barkurians as the year 2011 is the 150th
Jubilee Year of the parish (the Barkur as an independent parish
was formed on 29th April, 1861)
Once Barkur was a big parish with 300 families, in 60’s and 70’s.
Of course numbers might have increased but population gone down
drastically with small families, with elderly and lonely one
member households etc. The new priest may have fewer
responsibilities, compared to his earlier busy parish, with
schools, hostels, daily pilgrims and so on…….but average
expectations of Barkurians are very high?
Fr. Alban being a popular preacher, we are looking for his
educative sermons in days to come, to be nearer to Almighty. Its
time to give a thought to the revival of the idea of a Chapel near
Heradi or Dharma sale………Efforts to be made towards starting a new
English Medium Primary School……
Moreover, as mentioned earlier, post Centenary Golden Jubilee
i.e.150th year of the parish 2011, is once a life time
occasion to come, lets hope, will take a grate shape in his hands…
..other day, one of my colleagues talking about 2013, the Silver
Jubilee year of SPA Mumbai…’Pedruchi Chavi’ may be
reactivated to be a more frequent publication, also its our wish
that ‘Barkur-on-line’ pages may be utilized more to write a page
or two in once well sought Vicar Speaks pages………….just to mention
few…!
Let’s not be in a hurry, let the new Parish Priest, settle down
first to the new surrounding, by nature he is not a person to keep
quiet, hence there is nothing wrong to expect a change….. and take
this opportunity to wish him happy and healthy stay at our
Barkur……….!!!
On behalf of Barkur-online Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-members
Association,
P. Archibald Furtado,
03/06/2011. |
