Ancy D'Souza ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: >I can remember when I volunteered (NSS) for a school ground construction >somewhere>near Venur, Moodabidri we used to stay in a Convent. There was one >Father called Fr.>William (if my memory was right), he used to play hindu >suprabhatams in church just>keeping in mind there were hindu volunteers.
Ancy, his name is Fr. William Martis. He is from Malpe. He was an LIC Manager. He joined priesthood at the age of 38. He is a close friend of mine. He sports a long white beard. He spent seven years in Venur parish. He was their father, brother, friend, lawyer, guide, and judge. In short, he was everything to his parishioners regardless whether they were Christians, Hindu or Muslims. They took their troubles to him and he sorted them out for them. He even marched to the police station to demand justice for his parishioners, and he succeeded: Why, because they were all united, regardless of their religion. When he was transferred from Venur to Mulky, parishioners arranged a big farewell reception for him. The Bishop of Mangalore was present for the reception. I was one of the invited guests for the event. Fifteen minutes before the mass could commence, I saw a large procession head towards the church preceded by a brass band. As the procession approached the church, I saw three separate processions with three separate brass bands. When I asked why there were three processions, I was told they represented the three communities of the parish – Christians, Hindus and Muslims. All of them entered the church, attended the mass and ate lunch, which was served on the floor of the church on banana leaves. Fr. Martis was so overwhelmed with their presence that he cried when he gave the farewell speech. You won’t believe he received one truck-load of gifts, which he distributed to the poor. I never saw such religious harmony anywhere in my lifetime and perhaps will never see. Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes Gaumvaddy, Anjuna Bardez, Goa-403 509 Mob: 09420979201/Res: 0832-2274954 _________________________________________________________________ Searching for weekend getaways? Try Live.com http://www.live.com/?scope=video&form=MICOAL
