A four-priest concelebrated High Mass, an evening that witnessed everyone extolling the vital roles of grandparents and an enthusiastic participation by parishioners of all ages for a special gathering marked the Feast of St Joachim and St Anne that was celebrated as the first-ever Grandparents’ Day on 26 July 2010 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai.

Parish Priest Rev Fr Tomasito, main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration, in his homily emphasized the saintly lives of the grandparents of Jesus Christ and said: "You know the tree by its fruits and the fruit by its tree."

A model for everyone, the parents of Blessed Virgin Mary were faithful and dutiful folks, for they trained their daughter in the faith of Abraham, in the Mosaic Law, in the Scriptures, in prayer and in charity, as we can make out from the words and deeds of Mary, her visit to Elizabeth, her Magnificat, and her role at the wedding of Canaa.  Calling for upholding family values, Fr Tomasito said the Christian family values have remained the same even though generations have gone by.  He added that Attitudes may be different, characteristics may vary and cultures could be divergent, but good moral values have remained the same over the centuries.

"Grandparents continue to inspire every generation especially the grandchildren through their love and affection, while contributing significantly to the society by their role in raising God-fearing Christians", he said.

The Celebrant commended the family ministry, the music ministry as well as other ministries while all grandparents received special applauds after the homily. The special evening gathering at the Parish Main Hall after the Holy Mass saw grandparents and grandchildren jiving their way around in tune with some age-old but memorable numbers. The large group of grand couples danced as their children and their children’s children cheered them around.

Fr Tomasito offered his personal touch to the evening’s audience and reminisced how emotionally close he was to his grandmother who was present when he took his priestly vows but passed away just before his ordination in 1990. He recollected his childhood days at his grandmother’s and the extent of her influence in his personal and spiritual life.

The evening was compered by Joachim Quadra and was filled with exciting games and spot prizes.  The coveted spot prize for a 'Great Grandfather' went to former Liturgical Coordinator Fred Ellis who proudly announced he has two great grandchildren and 16 grandchildren. Raymond and Carol Rodriguez won for being the 'Longest Married Couple' having completed 55 years of togetherness.  A ‘bread-butter-jam-musical chair’ game enthralled the audience with a large number of participants.  The winning team was duly awarded for its persistence.

An exclusive presentation brought the audience images of some grandparents in the parish while three grandmas who continue to be as presentable as they used to be in their prime received special awards from none other than the Parish Priest himself.  Garnet Poppen offered a glimpse of their happy days as grandparents while Mikhail Pinto elucidated how fortunate children are, especially he himself, to have wonderful grandparents

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The memorable evening for all the parishioners came to a grand conclusion with Mr & Mrs Hernan Fuentes giving the vote of thanks, highlighting the roles played by all ministries and volunteers. The grandparents of St Mary’s Parish were really a privileged lot to have celebrated a dedicated day for themselves among such a large congregation.

The St. Mary's Summer Programme 2010 entered its third week with a variety of competitions. The first being the much looked forward sports event - Basket ball and Football Tournaments between participants of the senior batches. Spirits soared high on the grounds with players as well as cheering squad enjoying every minute of the games. 

Creative little minds and hands worked their way through the Drawing / Art & Craft contest held during the week. Mid-week saw the kids through the colourful, action packed Dance contest. Talented participants danced their way to a variety of English, Hindi and Malayalam songs.  It was really a foot-tapping event!

Whilst Prof C F Joseph gave the seniors ‘Career Guidance’, Erwin continued with his Photography sessions.  As Aroon Lobo concluded his “Biblical Time Line” presentation, the teenagers gained greater awareness on Biblical facts which will sure motivate them to read and study the Holy Bible further. Vital topics on health and Nutrition were covered by Banan Eid (BD), Etiquette and good Manners by Espinosa (SFC), Table Manners by Meghan Varghese, Relationships and True Love by Janet Joseph (for Batch 6).

As Sophie David and members of YFC trained the children in dancing, Pansy Lobo continued with her easy cooking sessions, Jhune Bhatag taught Art & Craft and Harold Orona brought awareness on Food Safety.

Personnel from Only Success Learning Technologies explained the participants of age 10 and above about Speed Reading and awarded prizes to those who excelled.

The week ended with a fun filled trip to the Dolphinarium for all the 200 participants of the summer programme at the nearby Creek Park, a thrilling 45 minutes show by the dolphins and the seals.  The young campers were accompanied by the supervisors, volunteers, organisers as well as Fr Frank and Sr Milagros.

With the Grand Finale scheduled for 7 August, the participants are all eager to enjoy their fourth and final week of the Summer Programme to the fullest.

A Holy Hour of Adoration and an Elocution competition for senior campers followed by the thanksgiving mass offered by all summer programme participants were the highlights of the week.  As Fr Tomasito was the celebrant, the choir, comprising of children from all batches, trained by Clarice, led the children in singing.  Following the Eucharistic celebration and group photographs, the children gathered together for the much awaited prize distribution to the winners of various contests held during the four weeks of the summer programme.

Additionally during the week Joseph Dias continued with the drawing session whilst Meghan Varghese presented the reading skills and Jovita Crasta taught art and craft.  Youth from SFC conducted etiquette and art/craft sessions to others.  Supervisors Anita Mendonca and Lucy Palma in turn conducted dessert making and skin-care and hygiene sessions respectively.

As the week progressed, the children were more engrossed in their practise for the final day performances, under the guidance of their supervisors and volunteers.

“All Good things have to come to an end” is a saying. While the month long exciting and fruitful summer programme did come to an end with the Grand Finale on 7 August, the fruits of this eventful programme will now start to be reaped.  The 200 children who experienced fun filled learning will prove to their parents, family and friends that they are now smarter, wiser, more knowledgeable and more dynamic than what they were a month before.

The closing ceremony commenced on a grand note on the evening of Saturday 7 August as children performed to foot-tapping musicals. It was a tribute by the children to their parents, moderators, trainers, supervisors, sponsors and organisers.

After the welcome speech by James Alva, the summer programme choir raised their voices in invocation.  Alistair Aranha and Mariet Varghese hosted the event with great zeal and humour. The Activity report accompanied with a pictorial presentation, gave the parents a brief insight into the happenings of the month long programme.

 

               The “Cool Sun” juices for the guests were sponsored by Arab Beverages Company and the T-shirts and Caps for the Participants, Volunteers and Supervisors were sponsored by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), to whom the participants and organisers are very grateful.   Gaulbert Pais, the Main Supervisor at the Summer Programme thanked all the trainers and Resource Persons for their immense contribution in educating the participants through sessions such as Personality Development, Communication Skills, Reading Skills, Speed Reading, Bible Studies,   First Aid, Etiquette and good Manners, Healthy Life Style, Family Values, Diet & Nutrition, Easy Cooking, Art & Craft, Drawing, Dancing, Sports and lots more.               On behalf of the Organisers, Aboline D’Cunha, Vice President of the Parish Council, thanked the following Supervisors and Volunteers who toiled tirelessly and with dedication and commitment to ensure that the participants thoroughly enjoyed the programme.   Main Coordinator: Maria Gomes   Main Supervisor: Gaulbert Pais  

Supervisors:  Lucy Palma, Irene Salosagcol, Clarice Mendonca, Mary Josephine, Apple Fuentes & Anita Mendonca

 

Volunteers:  Eric D’Souza, Haggie Fernandes, Daniel D’Cruz, Winston Mendonca, Tejas Varma, Clinston Thomas, Mark Hilary D’Costa, Pooja Varma & Audrey Noronha

 

Full time Trainers/ Volunteers: Lynette Saldanha, Jovita Quadros & Maria Sequeira

 

Trainer for Warm up Exercises and Sports: Christopher Chandra

 

The special contribution of team members from SFC (Singles for Christ) and YFC (Youth for Christ) under the umbrella of Couples for Christ Ministry of the Parish was acknowledged and appreciated.

The evening ended with a fellowship in the church compound.

 

The tenth annual summer programme conducted by the St Mary’s Church Parish Council once again excelled in upholding its motto, “Learning is Fun” !

 

 

 

 

As St Mary’s Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption, thousands of parishioners joined to celebrate the feast as ‘Parish Feast’.  Bishop Paul Hinder joined six celebrants in concelebrating the Solemn High Mass at 7.30 pm on 15 August 2010.  Parish Priest Fr Tomasito extended a special Welcome to the Bishop for this celebration as this is the first time, he joined the parishioners for this feast.  In his homily, the Bishop emphasised that Mary became the new Ark of the Covenant by bearing Christ our Saviour, the Word of God, in her womb.  She is our model to live a Christ-like life on earth in the face of all temptations and earthly evil.  Her assumption into heaven, body and soul is our hope of everlasting life.  The celebrant invited the faithful to strengthen their faith in Christ who has won over all enemies, including death.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the parishioners joined the celebrants in a candle lit procession in the church compound, praying the Rosary and carrying the statue of Our Lady of Assumption.  The chariot on which the statue was carried was specially designed and prepared by Vincent and his team of volunteers.  Various parish groups carrying their insignia also joined the procession.  At the conclusion of the procession, in front of the church, the Bishop consecrated the parishioners and the parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The celebration came to a conclusion with a fellowship as cakes and juices were distributed to all the Parishioners who participated in the celebration.

An exhibit of Marian statues from around the world arranged by the Legion of Mary in front of the church from Friday till Sunday as part of the celebration attracted great admiration as well as devotion from the faithful to our Blessed Virgin Mary.   

The services rendered by members of volunteer sodality and other parish groups in organising the event and managing the decorum is truly worth appreciating.  The brass band in attendance played Marian Hymns before and after the Holy Mass which brought in the nostalgic memories of parish feast celebrations back in our own native countries.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. 

Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

After serving the parish for five years it is time for Fr Freddy D’Souza to move on to Bahrain, to the Sacred Heart Church.  The Parishioners promptly joined together for a thanksgiving mass on Saturday 28 August 2010 at 7.30 pm.  Fr Freddy, together with seven other priests from the parish concelebrated the mass to thank God for the blessings bestowed on him and the parish community, through him.

At the end of the mass Fr Tomasito called upon the parishioners to bid farewell to Fr Freddy and to welcome Fr Fransquinho Gomes (Fr Frank) who has arrived from Goa (India) to takeover Fr Freddy’s place.  Emolyn Bucsit read the welcome address for Fr Frank and welcomed him to the parish on behalf of all Priests, Sisters and the parishioners. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Fr Frank.  In his response Fr Frank thanked the parishioners for the warm welcome and committed himself to the spiritual wellbeing of the parishioners.  Being ordained on 19 May 2009, Fr Frank served in Mapusa, Goa and at the Franciscan Formation House in Goa.  Young and talented Fr Frank is interested in music, singing and plays the guitar. 

Maria Gomes read the farewell address to Fr Freddy and expressed the sincere gratitude of the parishioners for the tireless service rendered by him.

Since his arrival at the parish on 25 November 2005, primarily celebrating the Mass and giving other sacraments at the parish level, Fr Freddy also served as the Spiritual Director of Konkani Community, Goan Sodality, two Konkani Prayer Groups, Konkan Yuva, English Charismatic Prayer Group, Marriage Encounter Group, Come Alive Youth Group, Bengali community and the Korean Community.  He was also the driving force behind the coordination of all Youth Groups in the parish and his support and encouragement were instrumental in making Youth Quake 1 and 2 over the past two years a roaring success.

Fr Freddy was also responsible for celebrating Konkani mass once in a month at St Mary’s Dubai and also at other neighbouring parishes of Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and at times Sharjah as well. Until last year he was the co-ordinating priest for various choirs in the parish extending his support.  As a trainer and mentor for the Altar Servers Fr Freddy showed great commitment and perseverance.  For the last two years Fr Freddy has also been closely involved in establishing and looking after the Young Franciscan group, “YOUFRA”.

In spite of all these activities Fr Freddy was always available for anyone who knocked on his door for house blessing, car blessing or counselling. 

Fr Tomasito offered a token gift from the parishioners to Fr Freddy, who in turn expressed his sincere appreciation to the parishioners who, over the years had given him opportunity to grow in his own faith and friendship with God.