by Olvin Veigas, Rome for Daijiworld News Network - Global

Rome, Jan 16: Konkani Kutam, a group of Konkanis hailing from Mangalore, Goa, Karwar, Bangalore, and other parts of India, has chosen Fr Chetan Capuchin to lead the team. Fr Chetan Lobo is a dynamic priest, well-known journalist, former editor of popular Konkani monthly 'Sevak' and a noted orator from Mangalore.

Over 60 Konkanis came together for their Annual get-together to celebrate Christmas and New Year at the “Collegio San Paolo”, Rome. This annual 'sahamilan' brought together priests, religious and lay people of all walks of life and from different parts of Italy including Florence and Bologna. Apart from the Konkanis of Mangalore, there were others from Goa, Shimoga, Bangalore and Karwar who actively participated.

The day's programme began with the festive mass celebrated by Fr Chetan Lobo, Capuchin (Angelore), along with 19 priests who concelebrated. Fr Clifford D’Souza, Carmelite (Bajpe) preached a spirited homily, while the choir under the direction of Fr Antony Pinto and Nancy sang melodious hymns.

The magnificent two-hour cultural programme which included mando, games, tombola, jokes etc., warmed up the huge hall which was shivering in chilly Rome. Fr Ignatius D’Souza (Ashoknagar) delivered the Christmas and New Year message. The fellowship meal that followed brought back the taste of “patria” homeland, the Konkan coast. Fr Anthony Pinto (Naravi) led the whole programme to everyone’s taste with his chaste Konkani. 

At the end of the day, people felt as if they were in one of the parishes of Mangalore speaking Konkani, even though Italian, English and Hindi also took a share in the conversation.

During the 'sahamilan', new office-bearers were elected. Fr Chetan was chosen the new Gurkar in place of Fr Wilfred Moras (Neerude), Sr Jacinta Veigas (Badyar) as new Gurkarn in place of Sr Zeena D’Souza (Niddodi) and Nancy Pinto (Katapady)  gladly agreed to continue as the Liturgical Animator representling the laity. All the new and old office-bearers exchanged roses with each other as a sign of gratitude and confidence.  

The festive dinner was prepared by many of the members of Konkani Kutam. The outgoing Gurkar Fr Wilfred thanked everyone profusely for their generous participation and sacrifice in making this day memorable one in Rome. In spite of freezing weather of Rome, the get-together warmed up nostalgic memories of the homeland.

Apart from the annual get-together for Christmas and Easter, the Konkani Kutam organizes a day of prayer and reflection and Konkani Mass every month for the benefit of the lay people.  A couple of picnics and other cultural activities are conducted to deepen the family spirit in the group.

Fr Chetan, Fr Wilfred

Sr Jacintha, Sr Zeena and Mrs. Nancy

The new office-bearers:

Fr Chetan Lobo, Capuchin, (Angelore) - Gurkar
Sr Jacinta Veigas, Miss. of School, (Badyar) -- Gurkarn
Nancy Pinto, Katpadi - Liturgical Animator

The outgoing office-bearers.

Fr Wilfred Moras, Neerude (Lucknow diocese)-Gurkar
Sr Zeena D’Souza, SRA, Niddodi - Gurkarn
Nancy Pinto, Katpadi - Liturgical Animator