Dr. Ribeiro Goan School

Remembrance Mass for the Deceased Students and Staff

Held at The Parish Of the Sacred Heart, Battersea, London

Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 2.30 pm BST

Celebrant: Fr. Tony Fernandes, SDB (Class of '64)

______________________________________________________________

Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Alumni Remembrance Mass

Sunday 10 July 2022

After almost three years we were fortunate to have had the opportunity to re-ignite the Remembrance Mass for the deceased brethren of the Dr Ribeiro Goan School (DRGS) and were blessed with a glorious day of temperatures nearing 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prior to the service a stand bearing the names of the DRGS deceased pupils and staff in a frame and draped in purple cloth was prepared for the altar. A basket holding Memorial and Requiem Mass Cards of deceased alumni was placed at the foot of the altar.

A leaflet containing the School’s logo and the names of deceased Alumni, a hymn book and the Order of the Mass were handed out to the attendees.

The Mass was commemorated in the impressive Romanesque revival church, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, situated in Battersea in South London and celebrated by our own Father Tony Fernandes supported by two Eucharistic Ministers, Boni Pinto and Bernard Luis.

Over the years our DRGS community has organised a series of similar Masses in various locations around the globe; however, this was the first to be live streamed thanks to the co-ordinated effort of a Salesian colleague of Father Tony, Father Anthony Lobo, and Julian Fernandes in London and Merwin D’Souza in the USA.

The service commenced around the scheduled time of 2.30pm with a short welcome by Chris Moniz to the “congregation”- those present and those streaming from their homes around the world.

Following the popular entrance hymn of “How Great Thou Art”, Father Tony reminded us of the many who encounter challenges with daily life and how Our Lord is a great healer in times of need. The choir and congregation then followed singing two verses of a special melody selected by Fr. Tony - “Heal The World” - composed during the recent pandemic by Fitz Love.

Afra Fernandes delivered the first Epistle reading from Deuteronomy (30: 10-14) the essence of which is a reminder that we should observe the word of God since it is near us at all times. The Responsorial Psalm which followed, Psalm 68 “Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive” aligned with the message of Fr. Tony’s introduction and the Fitz Love melody.

Dr. Cajetan Moniz followed with the second reading from Colossians (1:15-20), the theme of which is to remind us that all things were created through Christ and from Him.

Father Tony’s inspired homily centred on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the valuable gift of compassion towards our fellow beings, our neighbours. The act of lending a helping hand devoid of any prejudice and irrespective of the do’s and dont’s advocated by the law shows compassion deeper than the law, particularly in these challenging times. Often, in relationships, we could be made to feel that we are cast away on the roadside and need attention in the form of assurance, affection, etc. and it is on these occasions that compassion is welcome.

Prior to the reading of the Bidding Prayers, the congregation were invited to approach the altar and light votive candles in memory of deceased alumni and their loved ones. This tradition has been well accepted as symbolising our prayers for the souls of our loved ones whose memory we dearly cherish.

The Bidding Prayers were read by Ollie D’Souza after which Bridie D’Souza and Brenda Pinto took the Offertory Gifts to the altar and Jeff Fialho and Timothy Fernandes organised the collection the proceeds of which were for the benefit of the Church.

In addition to the entrance hymn and the Fitz Love composed melody, the choir and congregation beautifully sang the following:

Responsorial Psalm:      The Lord is my Shepherd

Offertory:                        Father I place into your hands

Lighting of Votive candles: Amazing Grace

Communion:                  The love I have for you My Lord

Recessional:                            Give me joy in my heart

Following the distribution of Holy Communion Father Tony thanked the congregation for making the effort to attend and said that he was privileged to serve as a minister to the DRGS community. He encouraged us to share our thoughts and experiences with one another at the reception that followed.

After the recessional hymn, Chris Moniz was invited to say a few concluding words as follows:

On behalf of all who have participated in this Mass, I would like to thank Fr. Tony and the two special ministers, Father Anthony Lobo who provided invaluable assistance with the streaming facility, the three readers, Lambert Pereira and the choir, Rita Fernandes for the altar presentation, Julian Fernandes, Vivienne D’Silva and Jeff Fialho who have tirelessly worked as a team to organise today’s gathering and finally all those who have volunteered and helped in many ways.

Father Lobo spent 4 years in Nairobi and knows of the school. We welcome him as an honorary DRGS member.

And let us not forget Merwin D’Souza in Florida- A very special thanks to him for his all-round efforts in keeping our DRGS community informed throughout the year and his assistance in organising this Mass.

Our sincere thanks also to those who have contributed to the refreshments and have volunteered to help after Mass.

At the reception, the Requiem Mass and Memorial cards were placed on a table and attendees were treated to snacks and drinks.

Sincere thanks to the following for their help in making this day a success:

The Celebrant: Fr. Tony Fernandes SDB

The Eucharistic Ministers: Boni Pinto and Bernard Luis

Streaming Facilities: Fr. Anthony Lobo SDB

The Organisers: Vivienne D’Silva, Jeff Fialho, Julian Fernandes and Chris Moniz

Altar presentation: Rita Fernandes

Readers: Afra Fernandes, Dr. Cajetan Moniz and Ollie Fernandes

The Choir: Lambert Pereira, Anita Saldanha (keyboard), Herbert Fernandes (guitar), Edgar D’Sa (violin), Jennifer Fernandes, Erris Fernandes, Julia Dias, Julian Fernandes and Aileen Gonsalves

Photographer: Eddie Dias

Helpers: Ava, Thelma, Louisa, Nita, Rita, Afra, Ophelia and the many others who assisted us on the day.

______________________________________________________________

Click here for a video of our Deceased remembered at the Mass and some of their Memorial Cards

(featuring the Soundtrack of Amazing Grace performed by the DRGS alumni choir (UK). Best enjoyed Full Screen)

Click here for Photos of the Mass

Click here for Photos of the Reception

Our sincere thanks to Eddie Dias, Julian Fernandes, Erris Fernandes and Mena D'Sa for the photos

______________________________________________________________

Click here to watch a copy of the Video of the Mass

Note: This video can be viewed without a Facebook account. If the video is interrupted with the message :

‘Please login to see this page’

Simply click on X and the message will disappear and the video will continue.

and, you may have to click on the speaker button to hear the audio

Click here for a PDF of the Deceased Students & Staff Remembered at the Mass

______________________________________________________________

Consider donating to the Salesians of Don Bosco