Girls of Barkurian origin shine at USA

Zeena, Melissa, and Daphnie, well known sisters of Waukegan, Chicago area for their artistic Tap and Jazz dances are adorable daughters of James and Zeeta Fernandes. James hails from Barkur and Zeeta from Kallianpur/Thonse. The three sisters hobbies are dancing (Tap, Jazz), and playing piano, especially in the Church Choir. They have been dancing from their very young age for the last 14-20 years. Marva Joyce, who runs the Marva Joyce Dance Studio in Waukegan, teaches the lessons. Marva Joyce has been teaching tap, jazz and ballet for the past 51 years. Hundreds of girls and a few boys have studied dance throughout these years from Marva.

As usual, every June, Marva Joyce presents a marvelous two-hour show. This gives dancing opportunity to every student, from preschool children to adults. This year, the show is titled, "GOTTA DANCE", which will be at the Waukegan High School Auditorium, on Sunday, June 27, 2004, at 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Donation is $10.00 per person.

Melissa,   Daphnie    and    Zeena

Zeena, Melissa, and Daphnie are some of the advanced dancers of this show. Types of dancing in the show are: TAP and JAZZ, with unique costumes glittering to different light effects. Marva Joyce herself choreographs the entire show. She uses music from all decades. There will be swing dancing from the 40's as well as disco from the 60's along with many other types of songs. The costumes worn in the show are especially handmade by the dancers and mothers of the dancers. Marva Joyce designs all of the costumes.

Eric Soans Barkur is honored

“Pedruchi Chaavi”, a tri-monthly magazine is a popular medium that gives all the   Barkurians every single bit of information which happens in Barkur Parish. Mr.Eric Soans who was its Editor-in-Charge for the past two years, is its present Editor since June 2003. Under his excellent editorship, the magazine is flourished in such a way that, the Barkurians are eagerly awaiting for its release !  December 2003 Christmas issue was sponsored by St.Peter’s Association (Barkur) Mumbai. The issue came out beautifully and was very popular among the Barkurians who are in Mumbai. St.Peter’s Association (Barkur) Mumbai is always ahead in honoring worthy people. How can it sideline a person who is praiseworthy! So it decided to honor Mr.Eric Soans, the editor of  Pedruchi Chaavi  and are waiting to publicly honoring him in Barkur. And the waiting was ended on 23^rd May 2004. The day was Barkur Parish Day and on the same day the whole parish was celebrating its 150^th year of  formation. After the High Mass, Mr.Ivan Rebello, Secretary of SPA, briefly explained the efforts of Mr.Eric Soans  and on behalf of SPA thanked him for his excellent editorship. Mr.Peter Furtado, Vice-President  of SPA handed over a gift to Mr.Eric Soans and wished him all the best on behalf of the SPA. The whole parish clapped merrily when Eric Soans, their editor was honored.

They did it again!

It was the mass acceptance of the representatives who were selected by the parishioners of Barkur, that, the present Vice-President and Secretary of the present Barkur Parish Council will lead the parish for the coming 3 years too. It happened on the 23^rd of May 2004 at 11.00a.m. after the High Mass. Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza conducted the election, where Mr. Jerald Gonsalves and Ms. Metilda Joyce Sequeira were elected as the Vice-President and Secretary of the Barkur Parish Council for the years 2004-2006. It may not be out of place to mention here that the same duo won the last election in the year 2002 and elected as Vice-President and Secretary respectively! Last time Mr. Jerald Gonsalves was one of the representative of Halekody Ward and Ms. Metilda J Sequeira was one of the nominated member from the Parish Priest. This time both Mr. Jerald Gonsalves and Ms. Metilda J Sequeira are the nominated members from the Parish Priest. 16 elected members from 8 wards, 5 presidents of the religious institutions, Sister Superior of the IHM Convent, 7 Gurkars (being Mr.Patrick D’Almeida, Gurkar of Kachur Ward  is out of station) and 3 nominated members (the third one being Mr.Dolphy D’Lima)  from the Parish Priest – total 32 members participated in this election headed by the Parish Priest and Asst. Parish Priest. The new Parish Council is expected to take oath on the 06^th of June 2004. We, “Barkuronline” team wish Mr.Jerald Gonsalves and Ms.Metilda J Sequeira all the best. Let they lead the Parish to the prosperity.

News :ESB

Parish Day, Celebrating 150^th year of Barkur Parish and Farewell to the Parish Priest

If an institution completes its 5^th year or 10^th year, it is time for jubilation! Just think if an establishment completes its 150^th year! The event should be celebrated in such a way that it should create history! But this time, Barkurians were not fortunate enough to grandly celebrate the auspicious occasion of Barkur Parish completing its 150^th year. For the visitors who logged in late, here is a brief on the history of  building St.Peter’s Church, Barkur.

After spending 20 tiresome years in going to Milagres Church-Kallianpur (i.e. crossing 2-3 rivers) for their religious need, people of Barkur decided to build their own church in Barkur. With the help of Rs.551/- from the Milagres Church Treasury and with the help of broadminded Barkurian donors, the church was built in the year 1854, which was dedicated to St.Peter. Elder Barkurians still remember, how grandly they celebrated the 100^th year of  the Parish.

It is very sad that less awareness was there among the people of Barkur about the 150^th year or should we say they were not interested in celebrating the event in a big way! Recently the parish celebrated its parish priest’s Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza’s 75^th birthday in a memorable way. Lot of donation was collected from the parishioners for this cause. So, this time the parish council decided to celebrate this mega event in a simple way.   A High Mass was offered on 23^rd May 2004 i.e. on Sunday at 8 a.m. Rev. Fr. Stany Lobo, Vicar Vara of Puttur Varado was the Chief Celebrant of this mass. In his sermon, Fr. Lobo recollected some of his childhood memories of Barkur. He briefly narrated the history of Barkur Parish. The church was filled with the devotees. The High Mass was ably assisted by the Melodious Choir led by the parish singers.

After the mass a small stage program, mainly to give a official farewell to the retiring Parish Priest Rev.  Fr. Sylvester D’Souza, was held. Assistant Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Wilfred D’Souza, SVD welcomed the guests.  Mr. Jerald Gonsalves, Vice President of the Parish Council read out the “Maan Pathr” and handed it over to The Parish Priest.. Mr.Herald D’Souza, Member of the Parish Council read out some of the milestones of Barkur Parish History. He remembered the past parish priests with respect and praised their achievements.  On behalf of the parishioners, Rev. Fr.Stany Lobo garlanded Rev. Fr.Sylvester D’Souza and offered him fruits and flowers. On behalf of the parishioners, Vice-President Mr.Jerald Gonsalves  gave a cash gift to the Parish Priest.  Sister Superior of IHM Convent-Sr.Lenny Crasta garlanded Fr.Sylvester and the 8 Gurkars followed her. It was heartening to see the presidents of various religious institutions garland their parish priests with variety of floral garlands. Many parishioners took this occasion to wish their parish priest the very best in his retiring life.

In his farewell speech, Rev.Fr.Sylvester D’Souza thanked the parishioners whole heartedly. He assured his prayers for the parish. In his Chief Guest’s speech Rev.Fr.Stany Lobo explained the importance of Parish Day (Firgajecho Dees). He asked the parishioners to remember the sacrifice of their ancestors who gave them the true Christian faith. He praised the retiring priest’s spirit of enthusiasm and wished him all the best in his future life. Vote of Thanks was finely handled by the Secretary Metilda J.Sequeira.  Mr.Eric Soans was the Master of the Ceremony.                     

News :ESB

Dubai Hudga... Steals the hearts

The laughter could have been heard from the Barkur Bridge, if one cared to listen carefully. They were all having the time of their life. Some were gasping for breath, trying to take a break in between the non stop jokes being cracked on the stage and as a matter of fact, as The Expressions authorities always took a pride in claiming, there was not a drop of rain during the show, despite its rained cats and dogs the previous night and right after the show!

And what a show it was…..   Dubai Hudga, the 35^th show of the comedy p lay staged by Sahyadri Ranga Thanda for The Expressions, at the St.Peter’s Church Ground; Barkur was a roaring success on 16^th May 2004.

Mr. Alwyn Andrade, Moodahadu, Barkur, the writer and the man behind the play, which was performed at the prestigious Ravindra Kala Kshethra, and the Town Hall, Bangalore and also the ex-cultural secretary of The Expressions was honored by The Expressions. Mr. Eric Soans, Secretary, introduced Mr. Alwyn to the public, and Mr. Praveen Carvalho, President,  garlanded and Mr.Kishore Gonsalves; Cultural Secretary, handed over the memento.

The ground was jam packed and the show started at 7.pm, on the dot. The audience was left spellbound by the gripping story, crackling jokes and mesmerizing acting by the ripened artists of Sahyadri Ranga Thanda of Pandeshwar.  The show once again proved that The Expressions is the clear leader when it comes to quality entertainment in and around Barkur.