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Udupi : The annual ward feast of Thonse ward of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The thanksgiving mass for the ward Patron St Sebastian was held on Sunday, February 11. Due to the death of former Gurkar of the ward Lionel Lewis, the Thonse ward feast was celebrated at Clifford D’Silva, Nidamballi house premises on Tuesday, April 2.

Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza of Pilar Fathers, Melwyn Sequiera Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Preema Lewis, Coordinator of Parish Pastoral Commissions, Sr. Anita and Sr. Anni of Rose Convent and Gurkar of the Ward Nelson Lewis were present on the dais.

The evening got together with the celebration of ward fest began with welcome hymns by ward faithful s singers. The gurkar of the Thonse ward Nelson Lewis welcomed the gathering. The dynamic past Gurkarn of the Ward, Jyothi Lewis, was placed the annual report of St Sebastian Ward Thonse.

Sr. Anita in her address to the gathering said that how one screw is important to the entire machine, likewise every person is very important to the entire ward to operate well with the community. The unity and selfless service for the ward and the church will be appreciated, she said.

The meritorious students and children of the ward were honored during the occasion. Meanwhile, the outstanding persons of the ward Smt Ancilla Lewis and Smt Marina Lewis were felicitated with shawl, garland and flower by the Fr. Valerian Mendonca and other guests on the dais.

The various entertainment games for the children and the adults and Housie game was conducted by Sharon D’Souza. The spot game was conducted by Mabel Pereira. The ward women displayed the beautiful dance during the occasion.

During the occasion deceased members of the ward for the year were remembered. Meanwhile, prayed for the speedy recovery of some of the members of the ward who are sick.

In his address, Rector Fr. Valerian Mendonca appreciated the ward people for their massive unity and love with the ward people. He also appreciated the ward people for their active participation in the Cathedral activities and leadership in various church organizations. He said when he was assistant parish priest of the Milagres Church several decades ago, he used to visit for the house blessing and other church services for the Thonse ward. There were approximately 50 families which were reduced to 30 plus families presently. Even now, Thonse ward is shining like a star for the people of the ward and the church. Several people shine in the church and also amongst the people of the society by giving various services which will be appreciated. He advised the ward leaders to organize the annual ward fest on time, so that people will come on time as proposed in the near future.

At the end prior to the thanksgiving, Fr Valerian Mendonca increased the joy of the celebration by singing the beautiful baila songs.

Clifford D’Silva proposed a vote of thanks. Mabel Pereira compared the programme with enthusiasm. Fr. Valerian Mendonca graced the prayers on the dinner meal.

Large number of ward faithful people and guests witnessed the celebration of ward fest which was very grand.

The Thonse ward feast is usually held every year on Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday since several years of tradition still has been celebrated with unity and love amongst the people of the ward. However, this year due to the death of the former gurkar and leader of the ward, the thanksgiving mass was held as usual. But, a celebration of the ward fest was postponed Tuesday, April 2.

Thonse ward fest Sunday also used to be called Inthrus Aithar and also called London Ward during earlier several years. Some of the Milagres Church administrators from Thonse ward now called as vice president of the church pastoral council were James Lewis, Benedict Lewis of Kunduttu of Thonse ward, Charles Lewis, Richard Lewis and Romeo Lewis etc. Some of the Thonse ward leaders succeeded to bring back the Milagres Church Kallianpur parishioners after Schism and very two-three families are still not members of the church. But, even though Schism, some of the Syrian Catholics residing in the Thonse ward are participating in all the ward feasts and other church activities in the ward till now and united with ward people with unity and love. The active participation and leadership in the ward for the church and the ward still existed. However, only 30 families remained and there was Thonse ward, a huge ward of the parish. Thonse ward was one of the prime and huge wards with more families of the church. However, due to urbanization and other reasons, day by day the number of families is decreasing. Some of the families migrated to city limits like Manipal, Udupi, Santhekatte and other city limits places. However, we can notice that, even though former Milagreans migrated to other places, these people are still participating in various feasts celebrations like All Souls Day, Good Friday, and Church Annual Feasts. The devotion for Our Lady of Miracles not decreased even though large number of families reduced in remote villages and wards. This reporter’s in-laws were resided in Kunduttu of Thonse ward and were active in church activities. This reporter has been a regular participant for the Ward fest celebrations in several past years and inviting me as a guest and treating me as one of their family members will be appreciated.