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A special joyful moment to Barkurians in Oman –
The
Visit of His Excellency the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza – to
Muscat……….
Over the
years, since his days as a young priest at Barkur, it is my
observation in Bishop Henry D’Souza is that, he always keeps an
element of surprise up in his sleeve, which others cannot grasp
but which keeps us or his listeners excited and breathless,
whether it’s a homily or it is general talk…….! There were days,
few of us, High School students in 1976 – 78 attend the second
Mass at 9.00 a.m. in the Church, only to listen to his sermons,
though as a rule, must attend catechism classes, which we cleverly
skipped.
Thereafter
I heard him good number of times, at Barkur, in Mangalore, in
Mumbai and it was a fiesta to the audience.
When we
understood that the MCCP a platform of Mangalore in Muscat while
celebrating their 2 decades of fruitful existence here, organized
to invite Bishop Henry D’Souza to be the Chief Guest, the very
news thrilled us…..we the Barkurians flashed the news here and
there to near and dear ones…….Of course it was a hectic busy
schedule few of us thought a personal meeting just impossible…….!
On 26th
April, 2012, at 7.00 p.m. Bishop celebrated the grand Mass at the
main Church of Sts. Peter & Paul Ruwi, in English in the presence
of packed faithful. The sermon of the evening so touching to one’s
heart……….if I have to write about, that itself consume my allotted
two pages….! Being Thursday, many of the Barkurians attended the
Mass and me too expecting a private audience with Bishop not
possible, un-aware of the protocol, gone home with few words of
the preaching, recollecting……..on my way back.
It was a
call by Mr. John F. Gonsalves informing me that Bishop will be
available at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, 27th April, 2012 in
the Church, took me by surprise…..!
Yes at the
appointed time, all Barkurians were assembled in the Church
compound and exactly at 10.05 Bishop Henry D’Souza concluded his
second High Mass and seen from distance mingling with children and
blessing them……
Once he
approached closer, it’s a divine experience for us – there is no
short of a fraction in the magnanimity of his affection and
admiration to Barkurians, calling & recognizing all old timers by
name………enquiring their whereabouts…….!!
We were
together for more than an hour – same simplicity, jovial mood… and
narrated his socio-religious activities in Bellary Diocese, his
experience in UAE, natural beauty of Oman hills and so on………….
He was
equally concerned of the parish of Barkur and happy to note the
progress it made over the years…..We informed Bishop that this is
the Silver Jubilee year of SPA Barkur – Mumbai yet another
organization dear to him.
Same
evening at 4.00 p.m. there held a public function at Al Falaj
Hotel auditorium and Bishop was the main attraction. His words of
wisdom gone into the hearts of 900 plus strong gathering with
unending round of applause once he concluded his speech lasted for
just 12 minutes….His congratulatory and encouraging words to MCCP
in particular and the Konkani community in general and the message
of unity, brotherhood, sharing and caring for each other in pure
Konkani will be cherished for days to come….( full text of
report appeared in Daiji world pages)
It’s a
proud feeling to note here – a song composed by our host Mr.
Kishore Gonsalves,(Kishoo,
Barkur) ‘Thun Munnon’ was sung by upcoming star
Mr. Kevin Misquith, during the entertainment part of Utsav ………..!
It was just
a coincidence 27th April was my Birthday! Normally its
my habit in these days rather prefer to forget…. keep it a low
key………but this time I was elated to receive Bishops special
Blessings….. Bishop told us to remember two dates – one’s Birthday
and another day, the day when he / she realized why he / she
born!?
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give
ourselves the gift of living well.
All the way
from Bellary, he brought rich Cashew nuts and halva served again
and again and I kept few in my pocket to eat later….so its is
lovely, when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find
that somebody remembers me…..
Few other
points make me to focus, are the Bishop’s advice how to care,
encourage our children….they are our future….Material facilities
given to them are of less important than the time we allocated for
them…..not to dictate but to respect their feelings and
opinions……!
Very happy
to hear by this year end – a New Diocese for Udupi District will
be formed and a new Bishop will be anointed….who is likely
candidate?…..no answer from Bishop but in one word, its divine
arrangement….to be made known at appropriate time.
After all
it was a great get together for us – its not so important that how
long we were to gather, or not how much time Bishop given, not
even how many times we met but it’s how much one value each
other…..
On behalf of Team Barkur-on-line & Barkurians in Oman,
P. Archibald Furtado,
07/05/2012
P/N: The
photographs above were clicked and provided by Mr. Loyson D’Souza
, we will remain indebted to him. |
