Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 15: Members of the "Konkani Liturgy  of Group' of I.C. Church, Borivli, celebrated their Golden Jubilee on February 12.  The Thanksgiving mass was celebrated by Fr Simon D'Souza with co-celebrants Fr Nelson Saldanha and Fr Vincent Barboza.

A variety entertainment program was held at Pope Paul Hall after the mass. The highlight was a performance by senior citizens which kept the audience spellbound.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Mount Poinsur, Borivli, is one of the oldest church in the Archdiocese of Mumbai.  Fr Antonio do Porto, a Franciscan missionary was the founder of the church in 1547.  He baptised villagers of Mount Poinsur, with his companion Fr Joao de Goa.

In 1964, a few Konkani speaking families of the Parish expressed their love for the language and formed the Konkani Liturgy Group.  Initially the group conducted prayer services and later put in efforts to start the Konkani Mass on Sundays.  This attracted a large number of Konkani speaking families, who were residing in South Mumbai to shift to Borivli.  By 1980-1990 the Parish started expanding with the upcoming of I.C.Colony.  Presently around 4000 Konkani speaking families are residing in the Parish of I.C.Church.

The golden jubilee celebration was possible with full support extended by the Parish Priest, Fr Barthol Baretto, guidance of Liturgy group director Fr Vincent Barboza, the enthusiasm of all the Liturgy Group members and the initiative taken by Charles D'Cunha, group leader and Choir Master for the last 15 years.