Pics by Anup Gonsalves
Report by Fr Elias Frank
Daijiworld Media Network - Rome (SP)
Rome, Jan 12: On Sunday January 11, 2009, the Konkani Kutam in Rome gathered in the Jesuit Curia auditorium, thanks to the generosity of Br Tony Crasta SJ, for its annual Christmas and New Year celebration. The celebration began with the concelebrated Holy Mass presided over by Fr Francis Furtado. Sr Thelma D’Paula welcomed the Kutam members with warm words at the beginning of the Eucharsit. Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado, together with Fr Pius James D’Souza and Fr Reginald Furtado led the choir. The holy mass and the singing in Konkani truly carried many in the assembly thousands of miles away from Rome to Mai Gao, evoking nostalgic feelings of the bygone days.
During the short programme after the Holy Mass, conducted by Fr Eugene Lobo SJ, the new members were welcomed. Fr Gregory Pinto SVD gave a short Christmas message. Talented Fr Praveen Leo entertained the 'family' with games and singing Mando, while Fr Pius conducted bingo.
On the occasion of the previous committee members giving way for the new ones, Nancy Pinto and Sr Thelma were thanked for their dedicated services to the Kutam. Of course, their services to the Kutam can never be thanked sufficiently! . Susheela Rodrigues, Fr Joel Rosario and Fr Praveen Leo volunteered to serve the Kutam in place of the outgoing members. The other members of the committee, i.e., Br Tony Crasta SJ, Fr Eugene Lobo SJ and Fr Elias Frank volunteered to continue to serve the Kutam for another term.
It was indeed a beautiful gathering. Those present were happy in mind, heart and stomach! The home delicacies prepared by Fr Mark D’Souza, Nancy Pinto, Jessy Agera and Lily Van Arkadie were just too good.
The next programme of the 'Konkani Kutam in Rome' will be a picnic in the first week of March.