THOMAS STEPHENS KONKNNI KENDR
B. B. Borkar Road, Alto Porvorim, Goa 403 521, INDIA.
Phone: (0832) 2415857, 2415864
FAX: 91-832-2413389 Estd. 29-03-1982. Reg. No. 23/Goa/82
E-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website:www.tskk.org
15 October 2007
Sir,
Kindly give publicity to the following press release.
Thanking you.
Yours truly,
Pratap Naik, S.J.
Director
TSKK LOST ITS FOUNDING MEMBER On Sunday 14 October 2007, at 7.30 p.m. Fr
Moreno de Souza, S.J. one of the founding members and the first Executive
Director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr left this world for his heavenly
abode. On 4 October Fr. Moreno had a fall in his room and was admitted to GMC
Hospital, Bambolim, in an unconscious state at 2.30 p.m. When there was no hope
of recovery, he was shifted to JMJ Hospital, Alto Porvorim so that he may be in
the company of his friends. Here he breathed his last. His mortal remains will
be kept for last rites at Bom Jesus Basilica and interred at Old Goa, on
Tuesday 16 October, 2007 at 4.00 p.m.
Fr. Moreno de Souza, S.J. a pillar of Konknni was born on 3 November 1923
at Pilerne at his mothers house; his father was from Marna, Siolim. But later
they shifted to Pilerne permanently. He did his matriculation from Mater Dei
Institution, Saligao. Monsr. Ayres Fernandes from Marna Siolim persuaded him
to write in Konknni even as a boy before joining the Society of Jesus. In 1944
he joined the Society of Jesus. He did his priestly training in Mumbai,
Shembaganur (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi, Belgaum, Granada and Salamanca in Spain. He
was ordained priest on 15 July 1958 in Granada, Spain.
Fr Moreno loved his mother tongue Konknni very ardently. His two maternal
uncles were priests and musicians, which made him to take interest in composing
songs, composing hymns, and writing poetry. He knew several languages such as
Latin, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalina, Marathi, Tamil and Hindi. Soon
after his ordination he regularly started contributing to Aitarachem vachop a
Konknni weekly of Salesian Priests and later contributed to Udentechem Neketr
a weekly from Bombay and also to Vavraddeancho Ixtt. He was inspired by the
people of Ranchi to write religious songs in Konknni when he saw adivasi
Christians singing religious songs in Hindi. Fr Moreno rendered invaluable
service to the Konknni monthly Dor Mhoineachi Rotti in Roman script. Fr Moreno
is sole person who has kept this magazine alive to date. Dor Mhoineachi Rotti
was first started at Karachi in 1915. In 1960 its office was shifted to
Bombay. Fr. Moreno was posted at Bom Jesus Basilica, Old
Goa and the responsibility of this magazine was handed over to him. He served
the readers of this magazine for the last 42 years as editor and from August
2006 this magazine was handed over to Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim.
He made himself a historian by dint of hardwork. Outstanding and praise
worthy work which really need appreciation the four volumes on the Churches of
Goa in Roman script namely Tisvaddecheo Igorzo, Bardescheo Igorzo, and
Saxtticheo Igorzo in two volumes. Besides this he has round about 19 books in
Konknni to his credit. On 23 September 2007, his last book Saxtticheo Igorzo
Dusro Khondd on the Churches of Goa covering the Churches of Salcette was
released. He has written innumerable Konknni articles in Roman script and
published in Vavaraddeancho Ixtt, Gulab, The Goan Review, Goencho Avaz etc.
He has written a number of articles in English related to Konknni language,
literature and culture. Besides, he has served Konknni people through his
preaching in various churches in Goa and outside Goa.
He was a member of All India Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, Dalgado Konknni
Akademi, Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr.
He received many awards for his contribution to Konknni from Konknni Bhasha
Mandal, Goa, Kala Academy, Gulab, and Man of year award of The Goan Review. On
16 February 2007, he received the Goa State Cultural Award.
Fr. Moreno de Souza sj will be remembered by generations of churchgoers and
visitors to the Bom Jesus Basilica, irrespective of their religion. His
documentation of the Churches of Goa is an unique contribution that will see
reprints long after his memory fades with the passage of time. He will live
amongst us through his books.
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