-News P. Archibald Furtado, Pics by Jeston Dais
Barkur, December 20, 2023 — The air in Barkur is tinged with festive cheer as the town immerses itself in the weeklong celebrations leading up to Christmas. The anticipation is palpable, and the locals have already embarked on a series of joyous events, commencing with Confraternity Sunday on December 17th.
The heart of the festivities lies in the traditions that have been faithfully upheld for over a century, with dates for events meticulously chosen between the 14th and 20th of December, as per the slots allocated by the deanery. The essence of Barkur's celebrations encompasses a unique blend of history, tradition, and community spirit.
One of the standout events in the weeklong lineup was Confraternity Sunday on December 17th, featuring one of the longest and most captivating processions in the Diocese. The highlight of the procession was the inclusion of the Holy Sacrament, signifying the profound religious significance woven into the fabric of the celebrations.
The town continued its revelry with Vespers on the 19th, drawing an astonishingly good turnout of both faithful and friends and relatives. Today, on December 20th, Barkur marks its parish feast with a series of special events. At 10:00 am, the renovated Church, a marvel of Gothic architecture, witnessed a full congregation as Parish Priest Rev Fr Ronald Miranda led the charge to honor the founders and donors responsible for the transformation of this house of prayers.
The 'Thanksgiving High Mass' at 10:30 am commenced with a warm welcome from Jossie Fernandes, the Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council. The ceremony, graced by about 18 celebrants, was led by former Parish Priest Rev Fr Philip Neri Aranha. The renowned Barkur Choir, celebrated as one of the finest in the Deanery, added a melodic touch to the liturgy, encouraging active participation from the congregation.
In his sermon, Fr Aranha delved into the life of the first Pope, Apostle Peter, highlighting various facets of his personality and urging the congregation to build their lives with Jesus at the center. The insightful and thought-provoking homily resonated with the assembled parishioners.
The Holy Mass saw the participation of priests from the Kallianpur deanery, along with guests and priests native to Barkur. While Vicar V. Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca presided over the celebrations at Pilar Church in Shirva deanery, the Barkur event unfolded seamlessly.
The simplicity of the decorations, the excellent rendition of the Holy Creed, and the fitting choice of psalms were noted as commendable aspects of the meticulously organized celebration. As the Holy Mass concluded, Rev Fr Ronald Miranda extended festive greetings and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event, especially in the past six months since he assumed leadership of the historic parish.
Despite being a well-equipped parish, concerns linger over the gradual decline in the number of parishioners. Nevertheless, the global Barkurian community's commitment to returning to their roots during this festive season was evident, with dozens of new faces joining the congregation.
As the town continues its Christmas festivities, Team barkuronline.com extends warm wishes to all priests, nuns, relatives, and friends, joining hands with the entire parish in celebrating this joyous season.
