P e n n i e s f r o m H e a v e n While the monsoons are gaining momentum and are about to descent its full force upon us, there is a little patch of Goa where the faithful are determined, despite the rains, to cover their beloved village church, Mae de Deus church at Saligao, which is amidst a mammoth renovation. AILEEN CARNEIRO investigates how a community, which has members dotted about the globe, comes together, plans a project, raises funds and thinks ahead.
PRESERVING HERITAGE Photos by Gordon Vaz: Mae de Deus Church is all set to get new lease of life. A crane lifting the trusses to the church roof. Parishioners join hands in painting the trusses, 24 huge trusses were painted in three days. DAY OR NIGHT, the beautiful Mae de Deus in Saligao never fails to catch the eye of the passerby. It's not just a tourist attraction; may people even outside the village have a spiritual affiliation to this church with its magnificent and unique neo-Gothic architecture. Currently, the church is undergoing a much-needed major renovation, a massive project which took about a month and a half just to plan. Initially it was believed that the church would require minor repairs to the roof, the cost of which could be covered within RS 3 lakhs. The truth of the matter was that the damage was much greater. Due to water leakage, the roof was discovered to be warped and the timber rotted. This resulted in the decision to renovate the entire structure of the church. A fund-raising drive was put in place and within three months an incredible Rs 75 lakhs was raised, out of which more than Rs 50 lakhs was donated by the parishioners themselves. COMMUNITY SPIRIT Besides the donations, the salves after each novena were celebrated in a different way, with food stalls and a giant wheel being erected, in the church compound, for the first time, resulting in a profit of more than Rs 1 lakh. The parishioners, without reserve, have displayed great generosity with their time and services, taking the task of completing this huge project before the monsoons on a voluntary basis. It's thanks to their cooperation and effort that the onduline sheets have been fixed and the church roof is almost covered. Says ex-teacher and writer Yvonne Ezdani, "It's so heartwarming that the whole village has come together to show their love and devotion to Mother Mary as well as to our beautiful church and village, and I feel deep down that everything will go right regarding the repairs and restoration of the church because of the faith and unity that the Saligaokars have shown." The parishioners are motivated by their love and devotion to the patroness of the church Mae de Deus, who, they believe, has kept the rain in abeyance, and will continue to protect and bless the church and its parishioners. They trust that their faith will see them through their efforts in covering the church roof before the rains. The parishioners believe it is a miracle that even though villages around Saligao have received showers, the church and its premises have remained dry despite it raining within 500 metres of the church. The services provided by the committed team cannot go unmentioned. The architect Dean D'Cruz, senior structural engineer Sylvester D'Souza, Palyekar, civil contractors Darryl Pereira and Austin D'Gama who is also the coordinator for the entire project, fabricator Jude Fernandes, Arnold Sequeira, and the members of the Fabrica and the administrative body of the church, Napolean Coutinho, the treasurer of the Fabrica, John Machado, its attorney and others, and of course Fr Carlisto Coelho, the hardworking and enthusiastic Assistant Parish Priest of Saligao, most of whom are parishioners and are doing the work voluntarily. Thanks to their efforts, this dangerous and difficult task is being carried out smoothly and efficiently. THE PROJECT It is a six-phase project. The first phase involves repairs to the roof and waterproofing the entire church. The second phase is the extension plan for a multipurpose hall and repairs and maintenance of the Parochial House. The painting, repairs and maintenance of the church are in the third phase. The fourth and fifth phase involve the altars gold guilding and moving of the prayer room. In phase six, we see innovative decisions coming alive with the church becoming more self-sufficient with its own generator, permanent stall arrangements and other facilities that will help save money on hiring charges in the future. Saligaokars abroad, many of whom have contributed large sums of money, are concerned about the church and its repairs. There are frequent queries on 'Saligaonet' on the progress of the renovation, the Internet being the perfect forum to keep them up to date, not just on the church project but life in the village. They have great love and devotion to Mae de Deus, the church and the village of Saligao. HISTORY OF MAE DE DEUS CHURCH Fr Nascimento Mascarenhas conducted immeasurable research on the church and documents much of the past village life. He enlightens, "In 1873, by the Government Order No 113 of July 22 and Order of the Junta Governativa of the Archdiocese of October 25, the Church of Saligao was erected as a Parish Church, under the title of the Most Immaculate Mother of God, separating the village from the Parish of Nagoa." "The church, built in a Neo-Gothic style, was solemnly blessed on November 26, 1783, by the promoter of Justice and Vicar of Panjim, Fr Domingos Jose Rafael Pinto, who handed over charge of the Parish to Rev Fr Caetano Xavier D'Abreu from Panjim. "On the very same day, the solemn entry and enthronement took place into the new church of the miraculous image of Mae de Deus from Daugim. At a public meeting held in Saligao, in November 1864, Francisco Salvador Zeferino Pinto, fondly known as Salu PInto, was chosen to lead a committee responsible for the project of constructing the new church in the village. He was the father of the world-famous ophthalmologist Prof Dr Gama Pinto. He and his committee, with the unanimous backing of Saligaokars, made speedy headway. In recognition of his services in the construction of the church, a perpetual tomb was granted to the Pinto family in the sanctuary of the church close to the altar. The total cost was placed at 46,920 Xerafins in silver." The same enthusiasm is seen today from the parishioners, many of whom have sacrificed and forfeited their holidays and new feast clothes in order to contribute to the church repairs. The Saligaokars are working as a team to complete this project in time, they believe, under the guidance and protection of their patroness, Mother Mary. Non-Catholic persons in the village and outside have also contributed. The church is open to donations as this is a huge project. Every donor and helping hand is welcome. Source: GOMANTAK TIMES, June 7, 2008.
