It was so nice meeting up yesterday with Sister Conrad at the Missionaries of Charity center in Quepem. Infact, I met Sister Conrad after four long decades. Despite being in her late 80’s, Sister Conrad recognized me at first sight.
During the 70s whenever the now Saint Teresa of Calcutta came to Goa along with Sister Conrad she always made it a point to visit our house in Ribandar as my father had then accompanied her nuns during their weekly medical camps at Chimbel and Carambolim. Mother Teresa was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Nostalgic memories of my last meeting with Mother Teresa at her headquarters in Calcutta in 1981, remain always the most treasured moments of my life, where I witnessed humanity touched by simplicity and humility. Now, as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, she was always an immense solace to the poor and downtrodden. Her Missionaries of Charity across the country and the world are a shelter for the destitute and homeless. In her death on 5th September 1997 the poor and impoverished lost their relentless savior, but the rich legacy and shining example she left behind has been taken forward by the Missionaries of Charity who are doing a laudable service in Goa too. After visiting the reverend nuns at Quepem, it was so nice driving forward to Don Bosco’s at Sulcorna and interacting with the so very warm hearted Rector Fr Bernadino and his exceedingly cordial team. As a former student of Don Bosco, I am very proud of my Alma Mater. In gratitude to them I shall always remain. Notwithstanding the current COVID-19 scare, yesterday was a very eventful day which ended up with a late lunch at Martins Corner at Betalbatim which has for long been my favorite joint in South Goa. A home away from home. A Day to remember for all the right reasons. First, the solace and satisfaction of meeting esteemed friends steeped in humility and simplicity to help humanity. Then spiritual nourishment was followed by physical nourishment of the best kind. The best day for both body and soul. As Mother Teresa famously said ‘Some people come in our life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons’. All those I visited yesterday were real blessings in my life. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com