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During the tenure of Rev. John A. Gomez from July 1910 to December 1929, many improvements were made and several devotions started, particularly that to St. Joseph. To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the appointment of this great Saint as Patron of the Church,Fr. Gomez had an Oratory erected in the Church compound and established the Sodality of The Blessed Virgin Mary for Men in 1921. The grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes (subsequently demolished and rebuilt adjoining the old church and again demolished in 1995 and rebuilt near the school entrance) was also built during his time. A Reading Room and Library was also established, to which Archbishop Alban Goodier presented several books. Under its auspices, the Sodality conducted debates, dramas and social events.
Some of the esteemed office bearers were Ben E. Mendes, Caesar Miranda, Joseph Ferreira, Paul Rodrigues and Aloysius Mendes.The St. Joseph’s Christmas Saving Fund established in 1916, functioned successfully for many years. The Silver Jubilee Celebration of this fund was held on Dec.23, 1940, with a solemn high Mass at which the founder Fr. J. Gomes was the celebrant. Members with their families numbering about 100, spent the whole day in the Church premises; the programme consisting of meetings, lunch, sports, etc. (The Examiner, 1941- p 78).Tributes were paid to the founder Fr.J. Gomes, the Secretaries, Ben E. Mendes and Michael Mendes, and the Managing Committee,Caesar Miranda, Lawrie Miranda, Aloysius Mendes, Edward Mendes, Joseph Ferreira and Victor D’Silva.
On Jan. 5, 1941, “Elopement”, a light comedy in 2 acts was successfully staged by the members of the Girls’ and Men’s Sodality in the School hall in aid of the Parish Church (It is quite possible that the old Church was renovated around this time). Fr. Justin D’Souza, the President of the occasion, complimented the actors for their fine performances.
The Kandivli Sporting Club was established in 1921 for the advancement of Cricket and Hockey. This too functioned for many years, conducting various tournaments like the Annual Cricket Carnival (which continued for more than a decade and then intermittently till the seventies) between the Bachelors and Married men of the three villages of Kandivli, Poinsar and Orlem in the parish and in the neighbouring parishes too. This Club was ably managed and run by Cricket Captain, Ben E. Mendes, Hockey Captain Victor D’Silva, and other office bearers like AloysiusMendes, Thomas Miranda and Pat D’Silva. There was also a separate Badminton Club which was started and continued to function for many years. Rev. Thomas do Rosario Almeida was responsible for the great improvement in the choir during his tenure from 1930-34. He was ably assisted by Michael Mendes, the Choir Master cum Violinist for over 40 years. Joseph Almeida was a Sacristan of the Church for over 40 years on payment of Rs.2/- per month.
During the tenure of Rev. John A. Gomez from July 1910 to December 1929, many improvements were made and several devotions started, particularly that to St. Joseph. To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the appointment of this great Saint as Patron of the Church,Fr. Gomez had an Oratory erected in the Church compound and established the Sodality of The Blessed Virgin Mary for Men in 1921. The grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes (subsequently demolished and rebuilt adjoining the old church and again demolished in 1995 and rebuilt near the school entrance) was also built during his time. A Reading Room and Library was also established, to which Archbishop Alban Goodier presented several books. Under its auspices, the Sodality conducted debates, dramas and social events.
Some of the esteemed office bearers were Ben E. Mendes, Caesar Miranda, Joseph Ferreira, Paul Rodrigues and Aloysius Mendes.The St. Joseph’s Christmas Saving Fund established in 1916, functioned successfully for many years. The Silver Jubilee Celebration of this fund was held on Dec.23, 1940, with a solemn high Mass at which the founder Fr. J. Gomes was the celebrant. Members with their families numbering about 100, spent the whole day in the Church premises; the programme consisting of meetings, lunch, sports, etc. (The Examiner, 1941- p 78).Tributes were paid to the founder Fr.J. Gomes, the Secretaries, Ben E. Mendes and Michael Mendes, and the Managing Committee,Caesar Miranda, Lawrie Miranda, Aloysius Mendes, Edward Mendes, Joseph Ferreira and Victor D’Silva.
On Jan. 5, 1941, “Elopement”, a light comedy in 2 acts was successfully staged by the members of the Girls’ and Men’s Sodality in the School hall in aid of the Parish Church (It is quite possible that the old Church was renovated around this time). Fr. Justin D’Souza, the President of the occasion, complimented the actors for their fine performances.
The Kandivli Sporting Club was established in 1921 for the advancement of Cricket and Hockey. This too functioned for many years, conducting various tournaments like the Annual Cricket Carnival (which continued for more than a decade and then intermittently till the seventies) between the Bachelors and Married men of the three villages of Kandivli, Poinsar and Orlem in the parish and in the neighbouring parishes too. This Club was ably managed and run by Cricket Captain, Ben E. Mendes, Hockey Captain Victor D’Silva, and other office bearers like AloysiusMendes, Thomas Miranda and Pat D’Silva. There was also a separate Badminton Club which was started and continued to function for many years. Rev. Thomas do Rosario Almeida was responsible for the great improvement in the choir during his tenure from 1930-34. He was ably assisted by Michael Mendes, the Choir Master cum Violinist for over 40 years. Joseph Almeida was a Sacristan of the Church for over 40 years on payment of Rs.2/- per month.
