Doha: Pamboor Parishioners Form Association

by Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network—Doha (CN)

Doha, Jun 23: Parishioners of Holy Cross Church, Pamboor (Shirva Varado,Udupi), residing in Qatar held their inaugural meet of their association recently at the Maaza Restaurant near Doha international airport.

The meet was a culmination of planning and efforts by enthusiasts. It has been fashioned after the parishioners’ associations of neighbours like Moodubelle, Shirva, Shankerapura, and Kanajar.

The event was managed by Dorothy Noronha who wove her impromptu words into prayers with as much skill as one could with ‘Mogri Kalle’ back home.

She led from the front with her articulation of the vision, mission, values, and purpose of the meet, and invoked the Lord as the ‘mestri’ of the ‘sangh’.

Following her lead, elderly parishioner Philip D' Souza took the gathering down memory lane to the time when their ancestors belonged to three different parishes and how the vision of Fr Abundius D’ Souza of Belle Parish and his uncle and then parish priest of Shirva became a reality. 

He talked of how on May 13, 1965, when the parish was founded, the choice fell on ‘Tantiguri’ as the seat of Holy Cross Chapel, (which was christened as Shantipura), and the identity of ‘Pamboor’ was established.

He recalled the hard work of Fr Denis D’ Souza and the sacrifices of the elders in laying the foundation for this community of the faithful, eventually becoming a thriving and inspiring center of Christian faith.

The parameter of Christian faith, Konkani language, and Pamboor parish geography defines the association. With faith, love, trust, hope and enthusiam, inspired by faith all gathered an active future for the ‘sangh’.

Wilfred Pinto thanked everyone who made this meet possible and those who made the day wonderful by their presence.