Report by: Preeti Roshan Monteiro (Omzoor)
Photos: Praveen Lobo (Omzoor) and William Lopes (Coorg)
Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv (SP)
Tel Aviv, Apr 14: Konkan Catholic Sanghatan (KCS), Israel made liturgical arrangements during the Holy Week, for the spiritual benefit of the Konkani Catholics residing in Israel.
Fr Austin Peres, parish priest of Nidampalli parish (near Puttur), Fr Praveen D'Souza (Franciscan) of Nekre parish (near Karkala), presently pursuing studies at Bangalore, Fr Jayasheelan (Jerusalem), Fr Arthuro (Tel Aviv parish) and Fr Toufeeq, parish priest of Tel Aviv parish, carried out the liturgical celebrations.
On Maundy Thursday, mass was organized in Levanda Hall in Tel Aviv. Fr Austin Peres was the main celebrant and Fr Praveen D'Souza was the concelebrant during the celebration. Around 500 Konkani Catholics were present during the mass.
On Good Friday, around 600 Catholics gathered for the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem. Fr Austin Peres led the Way of the Cross. Fr Praveen D'Souza gave a reflection on the Passion of Christ followed by the Adoration of the Cross in Notre Dame Auditorium (Pontifical Institute). Fr E Kelly LC, the vice in-charge of Notre Dame along with his co-priests, gave their full support in conducting the ceremony on Good Friday.
The Easter Vigil was held on the open grounds of St Anthony parish, Tel Aviv on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7.00 pm, with around 950 Catholics. Fr Austin Peres was the main celebrant and Fr Praveen D'Souza and Fr Jayasheelan were the co-celebrants.
A short stage programme followed the mass, in which KCS wished Fr Toufeeq, Fr Arthuro, Fr Jayasheelan, Fr Austin and Fr Praveen with flower bouquets, on behalf of all the Konkani people and the priests shared their feelings with the people. KCS organizer Melwyn Furtado (Bajpe) and Praveen Pereira (Taccode) shared the dais with the priests. This was followed by Housie-housie conducted by Praveen Lobo (Omzoor) to entertain the people. Roshan Monteiro (Omzoor) was the master of the ceremony.
All the liturgical arrangements during the Holy Week were made by Avil Miranda (Kulshekar). The altar was beautifully decorated by Sunil (Loretto) and Praveen Aranha (Gantalkatte). The beautiful choir group helped the people to involve with the liturgical celebrations with great devotion.
On behalf of all the Konkani Catholics in Israel, Konkan Catholic Sanghatan undertook the responsibility of bringing the priests from India and carrying out all the liturgical arrangements during the Holy Week. Parish priest Fr Toufeeq and Fr Arthuro gave their whole-hearted support for conducting the liturgies in Konkani.
The Konkani Catholics have appreciated the efforts made by KCS during the Holy Week and they extended their full support for its initiatives.