Udupi: Barkur Church Annual Feast and SPA 20th Anniversary

Report and pics from Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 16: The annual feast of Barkur church and celebrations pertaining to the 20th anniversary of the formation of St Peter's Asssociation (Barkur) Mumbai, are being organized in the Barkur church premises on Tuesday December 16 and the next day.

Several programmes were held as part of the celebrations on Tuesday. A function held on the occasion was presided over by Fr Remigius C M Aranha, parish priest of St Peter's Church Barkur. Parish council vice president Herald D'Souza and Irene Pais, secretary were present.

Archie Furtado dwelt on how the Association was formed by a few interested people and how they rallied people around to the cause for which the association was formed. He informed that the Association was the first and the biggest under Mangalore diocese. In clear words, he brought back the memories of the Association's early days, before the eyes of the gathering.

Vincent D'Almeida explained in detail about the progress the Association achieved during its initial years after getting over the teething troubles. He put the five aims of  the Association as providing hostel facility for the Barkurian students living in Mumbai, providing scholarship to the poor students, development of church in Barkur, holding of Konkani programmes and holding career guidance programmes. He said that the Association has stood for the values it cherished and is happy to have come thus far and serving the community well.

Ivan Carvalho, secretary of the Association explained the growth of the Association during the last 10 years. He said that the Association was registered under the Maharashtra state government rules three years ago. He also went on to explain the experiences of meeting with people, who were all benefitted from the Association, etc., Carvalho said, that the next item on the agenda of the Association, was to start an English medium school in Barkur and to build a home for the aged.

The Association felicitated Herald D'Souza, parish council vice president, secretary Irene Pais, apart from Ivan Rebello, Peter Furtado and Rolph Monteiro, members of the St Peter's Association who are also servants of Maharashtra Government. Kishore Gonsalves(Kishu Barkur) and Erick Soans were also felicitated. Gurkars of the association, Stany Lewis from Bennekudru, Simon Suares from Halekody, Joseph D'Souza from Hanehalli, Victor D'Souza from Hosala Rosary, Dolphy D'Lima from Hosala St Lawrence, Patrick D'Slmeida from Kachoor, Frederick D'Souza from Kudru and Zita Fernandes from Nagarmatt were also honoured. Fr Rememigius C M Aranha and Association president Richard Carvalho honoured them.

Richard Carvalho delivered the welcome address. Erick Carvalho proposed vote of thanks. Atony Gonsalves, treasurer of the Association, secretary Irene Pais, vice president Herald D'Souza, Richard Tauro and other members were present at the dais.