Super
Jubilarian
Super Jubilarian Fr Pariza created history in Anand
on 1 October 2013 .
It had been raining heavily during the week and it was impossible to plan any
programme in the open for three thousand people. The Jesuit community of Anand
and the parishioners planned to have the event on the ground floor of English
Medium school extended by a water proof shamina. It rained till noon and then it brightened. All dark
clouds disappeared from the sky and a bright sun dried up all the water from
the area. At the function,.80 women of the parish felicitated Fr Pariza in
Gujarati style with pots on their heads, called Samayyu. Two special horse
carts (Bagi) were ordered by the parishioners. Fr Provincial and Fr Pariza sat
in the front Bagi. Men women and children danced half a kilometre’s length from
Pushpa Vihar Convent to St Xavier’s School. In the second bagi the bishop of
Baroda Godfrey Rozario was accompanied by Frs
Jerry Sequeira and Albert Delgado.
The parishioners arranged devotional hymns so people danced to the tune of
Bhajans. The dancing continued in the school compound and even some Jesuits
were seen dancing.
Fr Pariza celebrated the Eucharist
accompanied by the bishops of Ahmedabad and Baroda Gujarat landed in Anand. There
were more than 2500 people for the celebration. Anand parish choir rose up to
the occasion. The voice of Fr Pariza was loud and clear. After the Mass, Fr Provincial translated into
Gujarat the English letter of Fr General
congratulating Fr Pariza. The following morning Fr Pariza complained that he
was not given the copy of the letter. Fr
Pariza has read more into the letter saying “Fr General is going to come to
Anand when I celebrate my centenary in 2017.”
The youth of the parish prepared an exhibition about the life of Pariza
which was kept open for a week. Anand Parish Council Members had collected Rs
3,00,000 and presented to Fr Pariza. This money is put in the parish
scholarship fund. Every year the interest will be given to deserving students
for their studies in memory of Fr Pariza. BBN carried video and pictures all
over the world.
The programme was planned and
executed within short notice. There was air of joy and happiness among the
participants. We thank all those people came from far and near and graced the
occasion. (Jerry Sequeira)
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