Category: Uncategorized

Reaching new heights
24/Sep/2013
Susanne Reilly, Southern Gazette

Comments:
Sanjay Gonsalves will trek to the base of Mt Everest. Sanjay Gonsalves will trek to the base of Mt Everest.
AS a child, Karawara’s Sanjay Gonsalves dreamt of climbing Mt Everest.

But as the years rolled on, he lowered his sights to just catching a glimpse of Everest from Kala Patthar, near the Everest Base Camp, something he will complete next month.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still pretty high, and will surely be a challenge with the cold, the altitude and the air being half of what I’m used to in sunny Perth,” he said.

But it isn’t just a childhood dream Mr Gonsalves will be achieving, he will also be raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation in honour of his late mother.

The 46-year-old has set his fundraising target at $5000 as a way of giving back the cost of support that was given by the Leukaemia Foundation to his mother during her battle with platelets disorder.

“A couple of years back, my mum lost her battle with cancer, which she fought with dignity all the way to the end,” he said.

He added it was tough seeing her struggling for breath for the last few years of her life.

“This is just one of the struggles that mum, as a cancer patient, had to endure and mum endured her challenge without whingeing and was a real battler,” he said. “So when I am trekking and feel short of breath, it will remind me of her and her grace in accepting her cross.”

He said that his mum used the Leukaemia Foundation’s transport services extensively for hospital visits and appointments.

“I though this trip would be a great way of raising awareness of the wonderful services the Leukaemia Foundation provides and raise some money to assist them provide this support to other families who need it.”

He will be completing the trek in October. Donations can be made contacting the Leukaemia Foundation on 1800 620 420 or by visiting lfwafundraising.org.au/sanjay_gonsalves.

A Mumbai priest remembered, in new Pope’s act

Mumbai : Even as traditionalists took umbrage at Pope Francis I washing the feet of two young women on Maundy Thursday, some Mumbai Catholics on Sunday recalled the pioneering spirit of late Father Hugh Fonseca.

late Father Hugh Fonseca

Among those whose feet the new Pope washed as part of the ritual prayer services of Maundy Thursday were prisoners at a detention centre in Rome, including a Serbian Muslim woman.

Welcoming the Pope’s move, Dolphy D’Souza, former president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, reminisced on Sunday about a similar incident that took place here in late 1990s.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha is an organisation that works in the civic, political and social sectors for the all-round development of the community.

An elated D’Souza said that Pope Francis I has set the tone, and laid down an example. The gesture would go a long way in women’s empowerment within the Catholic Church.

“In the late 1990s, the late Father Hugh Fonseca, one of the few activist priests in his time, was the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Malad,” he said. D’Souza was then chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of the same parish.

“At the Parish Council meeting, it was decided that during the Maundy Thursday ritual, at the mass, the priest would wash the feet of 12 female domestic workers. However, some parishioners complained to the bishop about this, and Father Fonseca was told by the bishop that the said act was against Cannon Law, and directed to abandon such a move,” D’Souza reminisced.

D’Souza said that while Father Fonseca relented, in keeping with his vows of obedience to the bishop, he did not abandon the idea entirely.

“Father Fonseca washed the feet of the 12 male domestic workers at the altar, but directed me to wash the feet of the selected female house workers at the same time in the midst of the community below the altar,” D’Souza said.

Stating that Father Fonseca’s actions at the Holy Thursday ritual set an example long back, D’Souza said he was glad that the new Pope was sending out a clear message to ensure that women are given their due by today’s church.

Maundy Thursday marks the time when Jesus laid down the ritual practice of the communal meal, as a coming together of disciples. The Sunday mass is a re-enactment of that meal.

The Bible describes how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, as a mark of the humility with which those who lead must serve.

Traditionally, elderly people in a parish are called to the altar, and their feet washed during Maundy Thursday mass. – IANS

PS The Late Fr Hugh Fonseca is the brother of our member Mark Fonseca

Source : Gulf  Times

Forum celebrates Goa Day

GWA president Simon D’Silva thanked ICCR and local sponsors for making the event a reality

A host of activities marked the Goan Welfare Association’s World Goa Day celebrations recently.
Among the highlights was the performance of pop star O’luv Rodriguez.
A number of local artists also performed at the show. Other memorable performance came from Simon D’Silva and his team.
A one-act play “Jugar” with a strong message on the necessity of inculcating good values in youngsters was well received by the gathering.
Former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro, who was the chief guest, released the album “Goa”, scripted by Joe D’Costa.
While appealing to the Goans living outside their native place to stay united, Faleiro complimented the efforts of the local organisers.
He urged them to preserve the Goan traditions and customs.
Jaysingh Rane was the guest of honour and former Indian Community Benevolent Forum president Dr Mohan Thomas was a special guest.