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THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ANNE’S CHAPEL. At a General Body meeting held at the chapel premises at 9.30 a.m., on Sunday, 3rd November, 1991, thirty seven members or ‘capelistas’ were present. The President of the Chapel Committee Mr. Joaquim D’Mello, welcomed Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas, member of St. Anne’s chapel from Tabravaddo-Mollebhatt and Parish Priest of Penha de Franca, Britona( 1991-1997), who earlier had informed about the date of the foundation of the chapel in 1843 to the Chapel Committee.. He was elected as the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of St. Anne’s Chapel. Mr. Joaquim D’Melo also suggested the names for the other posts of the main organizing Committee and also other sub-committees and with the approval of the general Body the following were elected. Main Organizing Committee. Chairman: Rev. Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas.( Tabravaddo Mollbhatt) Vice-Chairman: Mr. Victor Ribeiro Sa( Donvaddo) Joint Secretaries: Mr. Joe Fernandes( Mudd’davaddi), Mrs Emmie Sequeira( Donvaddo) and Ms. Vanessa Godinho( Tabravaddo). Finance Committee: Mr. Caetano Antonio A. Remedios( Donvaddo) and Mr. Joaquim D’ Mello( Mudd’davaddi). In-charge of Liturgical Committee: Mr. Jose Franco( Tabravaddo), and In- charge of Musical Committee: Mr. Orlando Vaz( Don-vaddo) who will work with the help of the chaplain of St. Ann Chapel, the Parish Priest, the Asst. Parish Priest. Entertainment Committee: Mr. Hipolito D’Silva( Mudd’davaddi) and Mr. David Fernandes( Donvaddo). Publicity: Mr. Tony Remedios ( Tabravaddo- Mollebhatt). Souvenir and Advisisory Committee: Mr. Caity Vaz ( Donvaddo)in -charge, Mr. Frank D’Souza( Donvaddo). N.B. Mr. Caity Vaz resigned and in his place Mrs. Emmie Sequeira ( Donvaddo)was chosen as in-charge of the Souvenir Committee in March 1992). They were allowed to co-opt other members to run smoothly the various programmes planned for the occasion. Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas informed the General Body that no details record was found of the centenary celebrations of the chapel but the minute book shows that the centenary of the chapel was celebrated from 14th to 16th May, 1943. Fr. Mascarenhas suggested that we could start the 150th Anniversary Celebrations with a Concelebrated mass in May, 1992( specific dates to be chosen in subsequent meetings)and Archbishop Eugene D’Souza( Mudd’davaddi) and Bishop Charles Gomes( Donvaddo), sons of our wards, could be invited to attend During St. Anne’s Novenas in July we could concentrate on the spiritual side of the celebration and the main celebrations will be celebrated in May 1993. It was told that the July feast is to be celebrated by Mr. Agnelo Assmucao and Eulalia Remedios( Tabravaddo-Mollebhatt) and that other functions during 1992-1993 will form part of the programme to be planned by various committees of the 150th Anniversary. A suggestion was made by Mr. Luis Jose Remedios( Tabravaddo) that a statue of St. Anne in plaster of Paris be made to be placed in the niche on the façade of the chapel as a memento of the 150th Anniversary. It was agreed by the parishioners and the said statue was offered by Mr. Maximiniano D.Souza( Donvaddo) and installed in the frontispiece of the Chapel on 16th July, 1992. The Souvenir would bring up the history of the Chapel in particular and Saligao Christians in General, the History of the wards and other articles affecting the chapel, and the village. Fr. Nasacimento Mascarenhas was asked to write the history of the chapel as well as co-operate with ward leaders to write the history of the respective wards. The meeting came to a close with a prayer and invocation to ‘Sant An Saibinni, Mag Amche Pasun., Comment: The main theme chosen was " Hatant Hat Ghalun Fuddar Tankum-ia"( Hand in Hand Towards The Future). And it was a joy to work with the various members of the different Committees. There was one comment ringing in the ears all the time: "The centenary celebrations brought us Hindus and Christians of the three wards as one" This itself was a big boost and the parishioners thanked their patroness St. Anne for her grace. During the year long celebrations, all parishioners and various committee members put in lot of effort and provided important information to make the celebrations a success. Future articles will give a glimpse of the celebrations. Archbishop Eugene D’Souza and Bishop Charles Gomes informed their inability to attend the functions due to various factors, however they did send their messages for the Souvenir . Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas. |
