Puttur: Spreading Christmas Joy - Vincent Menezes on Mission Santa Claus since Decade
News & Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (RD/SB)
Puttur, Dec 24: Christmas, the birth of saviour Jesus Christ is celebrated all over the world in many ways. People generally celebrate the festival with Christmas cakes, cribs, Christmas tree, star and decorations. The fun element or merriment to the Christmas is brought about by Santa Claus, who goes around with the bag of goodies singing carols and distributing sweets to little children.
Kokkada is a village that lies on the foot hills of Shiradi Ghat and comes under the Mangalore diocese. St John’s Catholic Church was set up at Kokkada during 1923 and it serves the spiritual needs of faithful. Forty two-year-old Vincent Menezes is a parishioner of St John’s parish, Kokkada and also secretary of parish council. He has been going around in the guise of Santa Claus for the past 10 years in the neighbourhood of Kokkada, especially on December 25 every year.
Initially Vincent used to go around in the parish distributing sweets and goodies to parishioner’s families. Soon he was on a mission to visit the neighbouring towns and villages such as Shiradi, Uppinangady, Puttur, Bantwal, Madantyar and Dharmastala and has been doing so since a few years now. Menezes had also visited Mangalore town in 2008, to distribute Christmas sweets to the inmates of Bhagini Samaj, an orphanage located near Jeppu Market. Meanwhile, he has plans this year to visit more old-age homes, orphanages and also Mangalore sub-jail to bring the message of Christmas to the less fortunate. He aspires to visit Seon Ashram at Beltangady and Karkala.
Vincent donning the role of Santa Claus rides a motor cycle decorated with balloons and also banners with Christmas message. He is waved at by the young and the old alike when he passes by their neighbourhood. He hands out printed leaflets of Christmas message to people of all faith and religion on his rounds. He continues his onward journey by stocking goodies and sweets from the shops en route and distributes on his way.
This year, Vincent has been donning the role of Santa from Tuesday December 22 and plans to conclude on Friday December 25. He aims to promote communal harmony, create awareness on environmental conservation, to educate on terrorism and AIDS, besides to pool contributions from general public towards Flood relief funds for the affected in the recent floods at north Karnataka during the mission Santa Claus. He has been going around as Santa for the past one decade without expecting anything in return and with a mission to convey the Christmas message of peace and love to mankind.
Speaking to Daijiworld correspondent, Vincent said that Jesus Christ who was born in the manger has delivered messages that foster love and brotherhood. Lord has asked us to help the downtrodden, forgive the sinners, pray often, keep away from sins and not to have envy on those who are lured by materialistic world among others. I am just trying to be true to his words, he added.
Vincent is married with two daughters. Both his mother and wife are teachers at the local school. The family owns palm, areca and rubber plantation while Vincent works at the farm as well into real estate business. He was serving as vice-president of Kokkada parish for the past 15 years and now serves as its secretary. He has been a resource person at various training camps for youth and also member of diocesan pastoral council. His hobbies are drama, politics and music.
Those institutions who wish to invite Santa Claus can contact, Vincent Menezes at the following address:
S/o late Ligoury Menezes
Boladabailu House
Kokkada village and Post
Beltangady Taluk
Dakshina Kannada district
or
Mobile number: 9845696925