Parapade Lower Ward Celebrates Ward Day  Back

Parapade Lower Ward Celebrates Ward Day 

The members of Parapade Lower Ward celebrated their Ward Day with great festivity and pomp. The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis celebrated the Holy Mass, and all the families of the ward came together and participated in the celebration. The ward members also remembered the departed souls of their ward on this day. 

The celebration was held in the evening on Sunday 23 August 2026, at the Church Basement Hall. The programme was attended by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis, Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Steevan Nelson Peris, Former Assistant Parish Priest and Director of Kripa Sadana Bajpe Rev. Fr. Kevin D'Souza, the Sisters of St. Ann's Convent, Vice-President Mr. Denzil Fernandes, Secretary Mrs. Clotilda D'Souza, 18 Commission Convenor Mrs. Pramila Furtado, and Director of the Small Christian Community Mrs. Shaila Noronha.

The programme commenced with an opening prayer led by Mrs. Theresa D'Souza, along with a few other ward members who also sang hymns and led the congregation in prayer. Following the prayer service, Fr. Steevan Nelson Peris delivered the reflection on the Bible reading. 

Jia D'Souza welcomed all those present through a welcome dance and expressed her best wishes for the programme. The Ward Gurkar, Mr. Ozwald D'Souza, welcomed the guests by presenting flowers as a gesture of warm hospitality. The Secretary Mrs. Lora Correa then presented the report of the previous year's activities. Thereafter, Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis addressed the gathering with a message encouraging the ward members to remain united in fellowship, love, and togetherness. Finally, Fr. Kevin D'Souza invoked God's blessing upon everyone gathered and blessed the food.

As part of the event, 11 senior citizens from the Ward who had completed 75 years of age were honoured with a token of appreciation and flowers. The former Ward Gurkar Mr. Edward Sequeira and Ward representatives Mr. Stany D'Souza, Mrs. Theresa D'Souza, Mr. Ozwald D'Souza and Mrs. Juliet D'Silva who had rendered their service to the Ward and retired from their responsibilities were also felicitated with a token of appreciation and flowers.

The talented members of the Ward were recognised for their achievements. 4 children who had secured Distinction in their examinations were awarded cash prizes and presented with flowers. In addition, Cherish Pinto, who donated blood stem, and Lordson Joel D'Souza, who donated his liver, were honoured with flowers and a token of appreciation for their noble acts of service.

As part of the jubilation, people celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversary were also wished and congratulated with a cake cutting ceremony. 

The entertainment programme included a couple dance presented by the women and men of the Ward, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The men of the Ward also presented an entertaining skit. Mrs. Shanti Sequeira organised and conducted a variety of games for the participants, adding to the enjoyment of the celebration.

The vote of thanks was proposed by the Ward representative Mr. Robert D'Silva. Cherish Pinto served as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and conducted the programme smoothly and efficiently. 

At the conclusion of the games, Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis distributed prizes to the game winners. The celebrations concluded with the singing of the community Song, followed by dinner and fellowship. Approximately 78 people were present for the Ward Feast celebration, making it a joyful and memorable occasion for the entire Ward community.

Report by:  Oswald Dsouza 
Pictures:  Gretta Pinto