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On Saturday Jan 26, 2013, Dr. Ribeiro Goan School former teachers, alumni, family and friends gathered together at the Basilica de Bom Jesus in Old Goa to remember the lives of our deceased. A Memorial Mass was celebrated by former Class of '67 student, Rev. Fr Ayres Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India's (CCBI) Commission for Liturgy. Over 150 individuals including visiting alumni from several countries attended the Mass which was followed by a reception in an adjoining hall to the Basilica, where light refreshments were served.
Despite the complexities of organizing this mass, it is clear that DRGS alumni, when called upon, can anticipate, communicate, collaborate and execute on a worldwide level. Hopefully this will challenge other DRGS groups to think outside the usual social box. Unconditional kudos go to Melba Quiterio, our lead organizer of the event, for her courage, initiative and unwavering determination to host a Memorial Mass in Goa. In addition to alumni and media partners who assisted us in promoting the event to a worldwide audience, we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge our Friends of DRGS who came to our aid giving us advice, and going the extra mile to promote the event. We are indebted to the following for their efforts: Hubert McDonald DeSouza, Mafie DeSa, Colleen D'Souza, Frederick de Noronha, Fr Kelvin Monterio, SJ (who also took many of the photos with his unfettered access to the Basilica) and our various media partners.
We would also like extend our deep appreciation to Frederick de Noronha, Stella Mascarenhas and Braz Menezes for generously donating a portion or all of the proceeds of the sale of their books on the the day of the Mass. We trust our DRGS alumni will continue to support the efforts of these fine authors. Additionally, we are grateful to to the following for their generous donations: Afra Fernandes, Betsy Nunes, Betty Martins, Electra Rebello, Evelyn DaSilva, Godfrey Pinto, Irene & Tony Goes, Joan DoRosario, John Costa Bir, M. D'Souza, Melba Quiterio, Maria Clara Saldhana, Melinda Rodrigues, Pam Moniz, Raymond D'Mello, Ronald Dourado, Tony and Tina Fernandes, Silu & Ivy Fernandes, Thomas Pereira, Yvette Furtado and the 2012 Toronto Reunion Committee.
Out of a total of 72,474 rupees collected in personal donations and the Mass collection, 18,180 rupees was donated to the Basilica for graciously accommodating our every need and the entire balance of 11,294 rupees after expenses was donated to Navjyoti Rehabilitation Center Childrens Home run by the Sisters Adorers.
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Links:
Links:
Alumni Memorial Mass, Goa Chapter, January 26, 2013 - a write-up by Joan DoRosario
The Mass Booklet developed by Dr. Augustus Pereira
Photos from various sources More
Comments Received:
Iris D’Silva nee Ribeiro: Good work. Congratulations!
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Dahlia Fernandes: Thanks for all the hard work
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Errol & Eileen Ferrao: A great idea. Thank you all who organized this
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Elvira Dias: Wonderful! Well organized. Great meeting students of DRGS
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Suzette Menezes (grandniece of Dr. Ribeiro): Congratulations. An unforgettable event
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Ignatius Fernandes: Kudos to the organizers. Very well planned & executed.
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Ava Fernandes: A wonderful event. Well done. Do it again
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Filomena Gomes-Rodrigues: A very memorable occasion
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Electra Lobo e Rebello: Good wishes and thanks for taking the iniative. Well organized.
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Vasco & Rosanne Fernandes: Excellent, well done! Thank you very much!
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Justin Gracias: At last we have come home. A wonderful event. Thanks to all
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Filo DeSouza/Mena DeSa: Great to meet so many ex-students & spouses. Choir & Church service excellent!
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Vernon Rodrigues: Fantastic. Turns back the pages to the Green, Green grass of home. Well done Melba & all.
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Pam Gonsalves: Awesome. Loved meeting so many lovely old friends, classmates.
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Helen de Sousa Fernandez: Well organized. A word of appreciation to Melba and her team. It was quite exciting meeting DRGS Alumini. Looking forward for more get togethers like this one
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Thomas Pereira: Great event! May there be many more. Thanks Melba and Joan for making it such a memorable day.
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Fr. Ayres: The 26thJanuary, 2013 was a fantastic day in my life for me. It was all because of you, the Class of '64. Congrats for taking the initiative. I am sure many will want to do likewise. I for one never ever thought that I would be with former school teachers and alumni. Great work and may God bless you all abundantly in all your undertakings. Melba was simply great. My admiration as her brother has grown leaps and bounds. Joan too was a wonderful support and strength. Dr Augustus really led the choir very well. All I can say to you Merwin, Well done, good and faithful son of God. Ad Multos Annos! Fr. Ayres
Olinda Fernandes: Very well organized.I was indeed pleased to have met so many friends of my past. Credit to all the organizers and hope we have many more like these.
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Uma Fernandes: It was by utter God's Grace that my daughter Suella and myself managed to make a whistle-stop at the Bom Jesus Basilica Goa on the 26th and savour the Memorial Mass too! It surely expressed the unity of the friends and family of Dr Riberio Goan school from all over the globe with all its diversity, great successes and not-so-great successes, strengths and weaknesses. More importantly the heartrendering service by Rev Fr. Ayres Fernandes reminding us and reiterating that FAITH without Love is useless and it only comes alive with LOVE was a roof-raiser and warmly received. If I may, I would further add the words UNDERSTANDING and PATIENCE to each other which was well depicted at the get-together therafter. Thanks for allowing us to be amongst you all. love you all and Well done !! Uma Fernandes London, UK (family of Dr Riberio School students).
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Magneric Almeida: We ex-students of DRGS are very proud of the time and effort you members of the Memorial Mass organizing team put into making this Memorial Mass in Old Goa a reality and such a success. God Bless.
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Maureen Pereira/Eugene Pereira: Congratulations organizers of the Memorial Mass at Bom Jesu Basilica. The mass booklet done [by none other than my classmate, Augustus Pereira] was excellent. Pictures taken of those attending were good and recognized quite a few, all seemed to have enjoyed meeting and rekindle past friendships.
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Anthony & Irene Goes: A touching tribute to our deceased. A brilliant Mass and so well put together by Melba & Joan. Every detail was seen to, even the organisation of transportation to and from a couple of large cities. The choir was mesmerising and the Ave Maria was brilliantly sung. It was lovely to meet up with many people, some we had not seen for perhaps over 40 years and we intend to keep in touch. The snacks were tasty but the dodol made by Melba was especially delicious.
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Berni Godinho: I would like to say 'Thank You' to Father Ayres, his sis Melba for making the 26th Jan an eventful day. To Joan coming all the way from Canada and taking the lead in conducting the day. The sermon was given by our '67 classmate, Father Ayres, on the theme of "Faith" which left us inspired. It felt so good to meet and join in song and prayer with other DRGS school mates in the historical setting of the Basicilla of Bom Jesus in Goa where our roots lie. The rendition of Ave Maria by Dr Agustus Pereira was awesome and soulful.
I was beside myself with emotion when when taking pictures of the Ribeiro family, they asked me my name. At this point I was deep in thought of what DRGS has meant and how it made the difference to the lives of so many ex students that I could not bring my self to speak! On realizing I was choking up they just said 'Thank you'! I guess it meant, we both recognise and honour "How great a man their great grand Father Dr Rosendo Riberio was ! Such was the scene to a very emotional and joyous day.
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Eddie Rodrigues: Excellent effort ...Keep it up!
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Maureen D'mello: Well organized... good job !!!
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Olive D'mello: Excellent job !!!
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Teresa Colaco: A great event !!!
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Joaquim Fernandes: Very well done ! Bravo !!!!
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Monica & Gaspar: Good wishes and thanks for taking the iniative...God bless !
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Celso Rebello: Thanks for a great get together !
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Audrey Rodrigues: Good show!!!
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Suella Fernandes: Thank you for your hospitality, your warm welcome and for a beautiful mass
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Tim & Filu Fernandes: Amazing turn out...Well done Melba !!!!
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Dr. Alex Fernandes: Excellent function , enjoyed greatly !!!
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Nelson Dias: What a great gathering!
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Edwin & Maisie Paes: Big celebration...can't wait for the next one!
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Philo and Mena: Great to meet so many ex students and spouses. Choir and Church services excellent!!!!
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Electra Lobo: Very well organized...Thanks !
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Yvette Furtado: Great!
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Vera D'Costa: Great experience !
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Melba.Quiterio: Merwin, Joan, I have finally descended from cloud nine! What a wonderful feeling being up ther ! My sincere thanks to all for the lovely comments and words of appreciation. God has been my best friend all my life, and I thank Him for giving me the strength and courage to do what I have done. Yes, I do feel a sense of pride at having achieved what I set out to do.
Merwin, Joan..thank you both so much for all the nice things you've said about me. Your support, concern and above all reposing your faith in me, believing and reassuring me at all times that I could do it. You 2 are "THE BEST " Love you lots...Melba
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Chris Fernandes: Stunning photos ! Efferverscent ! Nostalgic ! It was great to also honour the two most revered educationalists in East Africa
Dr Ribeiro & Dr A.C.L. desouza. Dr Ribeiro the great philtantrophist & visionary, we were able to produce World-class Olympians, scientists, authors, doctors & many more professions. The setting in the most loaded spot in this eternal city in Goa was grand !
Joan DoRosario: My heartfelt congratulations to Melba Quiterio for the outstanding effort she put in to deliver an event of such magnitude. Her attention to detail was extraordinary, from organizing transportation to attendees from South and North Goa to providing exquisite home-made dodol at the reception! The Celebration of Mass by Fr. Ayres was indeed memorable, the service exceptionally well attended, a success we can also attribute to Melba who personally got numbers/emails/contacts through friends to get the alumni out. And they came in great numbers. The solemnity of the Celebration was enhanced by the sacredness of the Bom Jesus Basilica. Somehow Melba also managed to get the Basilica closed to the public for the duration of the Mass. The attending alumni and families were held in thrall from the moment the procession of candle lighting commenced to the last goodbyes after the reception. Jan 26 will be a day I will always remember. Thank you Melba, for the time and trouble exerted to making this day so memorable. You left no stone unturned to make it so, and the fact that you accomplished this huge task single-handedly, makes it all the more commendable. A huge vote of thanks also to Merwin D'Souza. You know how much you do to keep us connected and engaged & your work is never-ending. You are very much appreciated.
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Delfine Da Costa: Melba, congratulations on a GREAT job of putting this Memorial Mass together. The photographs tell us what a great time was had by all. It must have been pretty awesome to hold the Mass in Basicila de Bom Jesus. Best wishes
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Raul Fernandes: Much as I would have liked to, I regret I was not able to attend. Wonderful occasion and superbly organised!
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Alan de Sousa Rodrigues: Though I promised to attend the Memorial Mass, with my mother, Aura de Sousa (ex-teacher and daughter of Dr. A.C.L. de Sousa (Nairobi), I am sorry I could not be there as at mother's age (90 years), each day brings its own challenges and I could not leave her alone. However, please know we were with you all in spirit and prayer. Thanks Melba, for all the trouble you took to get in touch with us.
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Jennifer & Herbert Fernandes: A wonderful and meaningful celebration !
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Evelyn D'Cruz: Great !
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Tony & Tina Fernades: Excellent job ! God Bless
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Ruby Monteiro: Absolutely fabulous meeting all my colleagues !
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Felix Rodrigues: Great Occasion!
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Ida & Armando Gomes: Job well done ! Lovely meeting friends
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Joseph Braganza: Well done!
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Joe DeSouza: Wonderful day!
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Francis D'Sa: Thank you for having a great function!
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Oscar & Gemma Braganza: Wonderful !!
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Greta Nazareth: Melba and Ayres were my neighbours and playmates after school, which was the one and only DRGS.... so after almost half century later the Memorial Mass made us aware of one another and whereabouts. Melba and myself now email each other. Therefore I have double the regret for not being there, from the write up and pics it was an awesome Moment in TIME and PLACE. Melba tells me that everything went as planned an achievement in itself of untold capabilities. Merwin, Melba, and Ayres what a fabulous event and the grandeur and splendour were all there in the pics. THANK YOU. Greta
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Joey Fernandes: Well done to everybody who made this day a success
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Hubert Fernandes: GREAT PICTURES! Thrilled to see Dr Suzette Menezes - one of my best teachers at Goa Medical College who has continued the Ribeiro legacy in GOA!
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