Called to serve and he serves with a smile. He is none other than Eric Soans  of Barkur.

“ I will sing and make music to the Lord for he has done marvelous things to me;” said  Rev. Dr. Fr. Charles Vas S.V.D. on the occasion of his silver jubilee celebration of his priestly Ordination.

Many of us who hear his liturgical and devotional songs are inspired by his music. When I go home for vacation to my beloved hometown of Barkur I attend daily mass as well as the weekend masses in my home parish of St. Peter the Apostle. There I am again inspired hearing the beautiful singing voice of Eric Soans of Barkur leading the Sunday mass choir. God has blessed Eric with a special talent to sing and make music to the Lord and he draws the people of God together as they sing and worship with one voice and one heart.  Eric uses his talents to serve the Lord and His church with a great smile on his face.

Eric Soans works with Praveen Carvalho proprietor of JAE’S Wheel Masters in Udupi. Since the collapse of the Barkur Bridge Eric and Praveen reside in the Udupi Area where they work, but they make every effort to come home to Barkur to prepare with the Sunday Choir. Eric and his choir gather early   every Sunday morning to practice the hymns they are going to sing for the Mass. Eric takes a special interest and encourages  parishioners to consider joining the choir, especially the youth of the parish. They also sing for all the important feast days of the parish. 

For   almost 25 years I was unable to go home   to celebrate our traditional “Monthifest.” But last year with the grace of God, I was home to celebrate this important Thanksgiving feast of our family. The choir did a marvelous job singing many wonderful   hymns in konkani and in kanada under the leadership of Eric Soans,  the Choir Master. 

When my American friends and parishioners from St. Thomas the Apostle visited our hometown of Barkur they also attended   the Sunday mass at 7 am. What they enjoyed the most was the singing. In their own words they said;  “ such   wonderful music and singing you have with the entire congregation singing with one voice and heart. It is wonderful to see the participation of everyone in the Sunday liturgy”.  Certainly most of the credit goes to Eric and his choir members who were present that Sunday. They were happy to have the opportunity to meet Eric.

I am sure all of you who receive “Pedruchi Chavi” admire the work of the editor, Eric Soans.  He is also blessed with a talent in writing  good articles. I especially like his editorial page. He has lot of good insight and makes readers   think about what they have read.

For all of you Barkurians who are Catholic and living in a foreign land, remember   when you go home for vacation make sure you go to your home parish, St. Peter the Apostle for Sunday mass. There you will hear the wonderful music of Eric Soans and his choir members. Sing along with them and to the Lord. As St. Augustine says “ when you sing you praise God twice.”  Don’t forget to appreciate Eric Soans and his Choir team.

Fr. Tony Andrade.