“For the
faithful, death is not an end rather a beginning to a new life”.
Job well done good and faithful servants may you rest in peace
now
May you rest in peace.
Baptist D’Souza
Annie (Cornelio) D’Souza
Born:-25-12-1916
Born:-12-05-1926.
Died: - 01-5 -2009
Died: - 18-02-2002.
Married in 1944
Life and death is part of our life. All of us who are born in
this beautiful universe designed and created by God will die one
day and return to God for our eternal reward to be in the
presence of our loving God and all those whom we loved during
our earthly life. We do not know when and how we will be called
out of this world to rejoice in that heavenly glory. So we
remain prepared always as our Lord Jesus tells us in the
Gospels.
Our beloved Baptist and Annie D’souza lived that beautiful gift
of life loving each other and loving others. They were the
people of service to the community. I knew this couple and they
knew me from my childhood. We were immediate neighbors in our
small village, Nagrmutta, in the town of Barkur. Baptist D’Souza
(better known as Batthi Bappu) was well respected in our
community by people of all faiths and religions. He reached out
to the needs of each and everyone who sought his help. He worked
in the Gulf countries for many years and then returned home to
care for his family. He and his beloved wife, Annie (better
known as Annie Mausi), were blessed with 3 children. Gracy,
Richard and well known banker of our time Harry D’ Souza. They
raised their children with love and respect and were a model for
others on the importance of teaching children to be good
citizens in our society and nation. They were grandparents and
also great grandparents.
Baptist D’Souza was an important figure in my home parish of St.
Peter the Apostle in Barkur. He was appointed “Vadyacho Gurkar”
by the parish priest in the late sixties and early seventies. He
held this important responsibility for many years and served the
parish community to the best of his ability. In those days there
were no church halls or public halls for wedding receptions,
family celebrations or special community events. All
celebrations were held in the homes of families which meant lots
of work and lots of coordinating with volunteers from the local
community to make sure the celebration of family and community
events were successful. Sometimes there were conflicts and
misunderstandings within the family members and invited guests.
Also, there were problems with some trouble makers drinking too
much alcohol, getting drunk and causing problems. So the role of
the Gurkar was like a policeman making sure that law and order
was maintained and the peace maintained. The drunkards used to
hide when they heard the stern voice of Baptist D’Souza!
The strict and tough Gurkar at the same time was very kind and
compassionate to the people when a family faced a death or
serious illness. He was the first to comfort and console a
grieving family at the loss of a loved one and was always
available to help obtain immediate medical attention for the
sick and suffering. In spite of being busy with his own personal
affairs he would make himself available to families when they
needed his presence and help.
Baptist served as an excellent vice-president of local Panchayat
for 5 years. He was able to make much progress in the villages
and in the town of Barkur. When he retired fully from all the
activities he had been a part for years, he relaxed at home and
lived a good and long life of 93 years. Although in his last
days he suffered a great deal he never complained. In his quiet
and gentle way he carried the cross of his suffering with the
Lord Jesus whom he put his faith and trust in. With deep faith
and love in his heart he continued to celebrate those beautiful
sacraments of the church, a first priority in his life. On a
wonderful day of May 1st, the feast of St. Joseph the
worker, God called him home to his eternal reward in the kingdom
of peace where there is no more sorrow, weeping or pain but only
joy and happiness in the presence of God Almighty. He performed
many good work in the vineyard of the Lord here on earth so
finally God said; “enough is enough my good and faithful servant
come home to experience eternal peace.”
Annie D’Souza (Annie Mausi) was very generous in sharing
whatever she had with others especially those who had little or
next to nothing. Her principles of life were: LOVE, CARE AND
SHARE. When we LOVE someone we CARE for them and then we SHARE
what we have because of that love.
She was a woman of deep faith and prayer. She was a source of
encouragement and inspiration to me when I felt my calling to
the priesthood. Indeed she put into practice all her life what
Jesus teaches us in the Gospels “love of God and love of
neighbors”. She completed her life journey on February 18, 2002.
As St. Paul says in his letter to Timothy 4:6-8 “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.” May she rest in peace.
I admire and appreciate the love and care their beloved son
Harry D’Souza (Harry Bab) and their daughter-in-law, Shaila,
showed them in their last years of life. They served them with
great patience and love until their death at home. In this fast
moving modern world children often look for Nursing Homes( home
for the aged or old age homes) to place their elderly, sick
parents until they die. This frees them of that obligation to
care for them in those difficult days of old age. As a result
there are more and more Nursing Homes or Elder Care Homes
multiplying and growing in numbers just like mushrooms growing
in the backyards. But Harry and Shaila took care of their
elderly parents at home in a loving way and by doing so set a
good example for others to do the same.
It was my honor to know them since I was a child. Every year
when I went home on vacation I would visit them and receive
their blessings. Now this wonderful couple, who served the
community so well, have returned to the Lord for their eternal
reward. We will remember them always because of their selfless
service and love for their fellow neighbors.
I am certain as they entered the gates of heaven, our Lord God
welcomed them saying; “Job well done good and faithful servants.
Come and rejoice in my heavenly kingdom of peace and joy.” It is
my hope and belief they are once again together in heaven in the
loving arms of our compassionate God.
Fr. Tony Andrade
(frandrade@aol.com)
