Interview By: Mrs. Carol Martis, Trasi and Mr. John Correa, Bondel on behalf of Daaiz.
There is nothing above human beings and nothing above love among mankind - no religion, no caste, and no race. This is the philosophy taught by Jesus, and the same has been continued by several, including Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. Rev. Fr. Melvin D'Cunha, Priest In-Charge of Salmiya Chapel, Kuwait, has set an example of such love where it can make all things possible, in uniting people from Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Kerala or any other part of the world as one family on this desert land.
Rev.Fr.Melvin D'Cunha is a simple priest who is very kind hearted and loving in nature. He always has a ready smile on his face and a positive attitude for life. He has initiated many new things for the Konkani people in Salmiya so that they may get involved in more spiritual activities in the church.
Fr. Melvin D'Cunha was born in Madanthyar, Mangalore. He joined the Carmelite Order (O.C.D.) in 1985 and completed his priestly studies in various places like Goa, Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore.
Fr. Melvin had his first profession in Margoa, Goa on October 15, 1988. He then graduated (B.A.) from the Mysore University in 1991. His studies in Philosophy were done in Pusphosrama, Mysore. In 1992, he did his Regency in Bombay and completed his Theology and Bachelor of Theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Mangalore. Fr. D'Cunha also finished a 3 year Diploma in Formation and Counseling from Bangalore University
Fr. Melvin was ordained Deacon on October 12, 1995 and later ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1996.
From May 31, 1996 till December 2000, Fr. Melvin was the Assistant Parish Priest at St. Joseph's Church, Mira Road, Bombay. It was on 20th of December 2000 that Fr. Melvin D�Cunha landed in Kuwait. Indeed it was a joyful and blessed day for all the Konkani speaking people of Kuwait.
His other interests and hobbies are sports, games and music, both instrumental and vocal. He passed Grade 3 with distinction, the Theory of Music from Trinity College of Music, London, in 1991.
John Correa and Carol Martis with Fr Melvin
On behalf of Daaiz, Mrs. Carol Martis and Mr. John Correa had the pleasure of interviewing Rev. Fr.Melvin D�Cunha, excerpts of which are as follows:
Father, thank you for sparing some of your precious time for us. Please, tell us what are your feelings when you see so many people from different areas come to attend Konkani Mass on Fridays in Salmiya?
I am happy and glad that people of Salmiya chapel have responded to the Konkani mass. The reason for such an initiative was because there are so many people who can't understand English, secondly though some people can understand English, they can't recite English prayers, can't sing English hymns, and most important is that many of them are living near Salmiya.
It is nice to see that people come from Abbasiya, and other parts of Kuwait too. Now the housemaids too are happy to come to church and hear the Konkani mass. Though the crowd is divided for English and Konkani mass, we still have enough people for all the masses.
You being a spiritual director, have you ever been involved in social work?
I have always tried to reach out to people everywhere. It�s in my nature. But I have my own limitations in the church and outside the church also, I try to help everyone who is in need of help specially, the housemaids, who are in trouble. I try to give them jobs until I can make arrangements to send them to India. For me there is nothing greater than being a human being.
Being a priest I have my own limitations, however I do social work silently in India and whatever money comes to me goes for the poor children. My sincere belief is that "Educating one child is educating that whole poor family".
You have served as a parish priest in Mumbai (Mira Road) and now in Kuwait. Tell us which place is more challenging and why?
I worked as an assistant parish priest in Mira Road, Mumbai. There my basic job was to reach out to people and I really slogged for that Parish, I literally went from house to house asking people to help to build that church and I was also called there as a "Visiting Priest", and I served and did the best for that church. If I am given a chance again I will definitely go to serve there once again.
In Kuwait, you are admired by the people and very lovingly called as 'OUR KONKANI FATHER' - how do you feel?
Ans: I don�t like it when people call me 'Mangalorean Father', because for me all the people are same, whether he is from Mangalore, Goa, Kerala or Mumbai or any other part of the world. Church is for all Christians and I am very happy with the response I get from the people and the respect I receive from them.
You are handsome and a very intellectual person. Have you ever regretted being a priest?
(Laughs) I am neither handsome nor am I an intellectual. Each one of us has a unique personality. I was an average student when I was in school and college, but I am grateful to God for whatever I am today. My elder brother is very intelligent and he can definitely be a better priest than me.
As for me regretting being a priest, NEVER. To be honest I am proud of my career and priesthood. I will never regret being a priest. GOD decides our vocation and I am thankful to Him for having chosen me to be His servant and I pray that I will be able to serve Him and His people well.
You have taken lots of good initiatives, which have attracted several people to attend prayer services at Salmiya. What are your expectations from the people?
I expect cooperation and support from the people. I want them to be free to express their ideas, views and if they feel that I am wrong in any thing that I do I want them to come to me and explain. I am always open to suggestions. I am here to listen and help the people.
I expect people to come to me with whatever ideas they may have. I also have been requesting the Konkani writers/readers to come forward and take part in the church readings, singers to participate in the choir.
What are your thoughts about the media trend? Do you think this will help us in becoming a better human being? If so how?
We need to thank God for the media, which keeps us in touch with every related field. We just need to know how to make the best use of it. We should take care that the younger generation who are more in touch with the media do not misuse it. I am not a media savvy person.
What role does our e-media play in uniting our people?
The effects are both good and bad. The 'Good' bit is that today's media is playing a major role in simplifying the complexities in life and in the world. In each field, one doesn't have to spend more effort or time as media will simplify this task. However there can be bad usage of the media as well.
In what way are Konkani activities in the Middle East different compared to those in India?
I have mixed feelings about the same. I observe that activities are drying in India. But here the people in spite of having their daily routine both at work and at home and the insecurity about their jobs they still find time to come join in prayer and get involved in spiritual activities in the church. I find the response from people better here than in India. People are more motivated and involved. This is not just limited to spirituality, but also to other Konkani activities.
What are your suggestions for DAAIZ.COM?
It is good to hear that DAAIZ.COM is volunteering and doing work related to Konkani literature and Konkani language. Since daaiz.com is a new Konkani site, let�s put emphasis on "Sharing and Caring". We do need to share our knowledge with others, express our views to one another so it will help all concerned. I wish them good luck!!
What message would you like to pass onto the readers of Mangalorean.com?
Mangalorean.com is a wonderful website which is uniting Mangaloreans worldwide. It is a site where we Mangaloreans can read about our fellow brethren and all the other events connected to our hometown. People should not take advantage of the site and should not misuse it. The site which connects all Mangaloreans should keep us united and not divide us. I wish Manglaorean.com and its team members all the very best. My prayers, blessings and good wishes to help each other and share the knowledge with readers. Thank you..
Thank you Father - It is wonderful spending some time with you to know more about you and your vision.
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| Down Memory Lane: Pope John Paul II's Visit to Mangalore in 1986 - Photographs by Viju |
|
Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore [Viju]
Fr Prashant Madtha reading the translation of the pope's message in Kannada at his visit to Mangalore in February 6, 1986 Augustine Rodrigues of Kadri Kambala offering a memento to the Holy Father at his visit to Mangalore.
Also read: Mangalore: Tributes Offered to Pope John Paul II at Bishop's House |
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+Pope John Paul II�s speech in Konkani at Campal,Goa on 6-02-1986.
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