by Fr Chris Ferreira for BIS Mumbai

The youth of Don Bosco Parish Makarpura organized a day of fun and fellowship for the senior citizens of the parish on October 12, to honour their presence and show gratitude for their presence in the life of the parish. The program was compered by Abhijeet and Melita who used shayaris, movie dialogues of the yesteryears and evergreen hindi songs to engage all the elderly of the parish. 

Fr Isaac Arackaparambil sdb, the Parish Priest then welcomed the gathering with his words of warmth and prayed over all the elderly before the commencement of the program. In his words of thanksgiving, he thanked the senior parishioners who have been a great support to the parish in the past, on whose shoulders the parish stands today. Mr Rufus Rocky – the Treasurer of the Parish Council then addressed the assembly and explained how the parish is blessed with a glorious past in its senior parishioners and a bright future in its youngsters and children; it was earnest desire to see this day – when the youth would celebrate the presence of the elderly in the parish. 

The felicitation program began with a dance compilation of retro bollywood dance hits. Then, a game was organized to give out spot prizes in various categories such as the person with the least hair, the person with the oldest looking comb, etc.

A jamming session was then organized by the youngsters with the guitar and the clapbox on a compilation of evergreen bollywood melodies. The spirit of participation was filled with so much excitement that on public request, a game of antakshiri was played. Mr Clevar Rodrigues and Mrs Neelamma were judged to be the star players of the antakshiri game and were handsomely rewarded. 

Fr Isaac conducted an action song. His melodious cheer and enthusiasm was received with an active participation from the elderly to the action song – I’ve got peace like the river – joy like the fountain – love like the ocean in my soul.

Mr Martin Dabhi and Captain K.P. John – avid singers of the parish, both in their eighties, mesmerized  the public with their performance of three songs on karaoke. Mr Henry D’souza, one of the eldest parishioners also renowned for being a good humorist did a set of stand up comedy too! On this note, while the public was left in splits, all joined in a meal of fellowship at the culmination of the program.

Mr Anthony Varghese, a committee member of the Parish Council, proposed the vote of thanks to all those who made the program a  reality. 

As the parishioners left the hall, they all took a photo at the Instagram photo booth set up the parish youth. The senior citizens of the parish family received a souvenir bookmark as they left the premises. The biblical verse printed on it was only a testament to their well-being: Isaiah 46:4 which says “even to your old age I am He, even when you turn grey I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save you.”