Almeida Park Zone / Raphael Community

Approximately 30 years ago i.e. around the mid 1970’s, some families around the Almeida Park Area got together regularly for Daily Rosary in the month of May at “Blue Heaven” (continued even today); to decorate the street for the XIII hours procession; to organize a get-together for domestic helpers; to celebrate Christmas with a gala dinner & of course the Area Mass – at “Vinrita” the centre of all area activities.

In the mid 1980’s Bishop Bosco directed the formation of “Basic Christian Community” (BCC), in the Parishes and from that day our little zonal community changed from an ad-hoc committee to the BCC’s. In the 1990’s we were directed to name our communities and were called ‘Small Christian Communities’ (SCC’s) ably guided by Sr. Teresa, who painstakingly organized all Zonal Communities across the Parish & put us on the path of growth. Thus we moved from BCC’s to SCC’s and are on our way to forming SHC’s Small Human Communities.

Following the directives, we the ‘Almeida Park Zone’ adopted the name ‘Raphael Community’, as our Zone was centered around Prof. R. Almeida Park, i.e. after Prof. Raphael Almeida – ex-mayor; Municipal Councillor; Senator; Hon. Magistrate; Justice of Peace and a renowned botanist, who had dedicated his life to the betterment of Bandra and upliftment of the youth and common man.

We decided our Patron and Protector would be Archangel Raphael whose feast we celebrate and on whom we rely for trust and guidance.

Over the years, we have progressed and developed into a strong unified Zone and intend to move forward with the same strength, unity, perseverance, zeal and become a better human community with the help and guidance of various Zonal Coordinators, thereby growing into a dynamic community and truly helping build a faith community for service.

Our Events
Another year gone by with the SCC core group members and zonal members pitching in with heartfelt cooperation, community spirit and fun, in various activities and projects undertaken through the year 2005 — 2006.

Religious / Spiritual:

The Year 2005 being the year of the Eucharist, the Core Group undertook an 8-session program titled “We are a Eucharistic People” to help better understanding of the Eucharist & deepen our faith through the readings & prayers.

Daily Rosary, was held during the months of May & October 2005 in continuation of the tradition started nearly 30 years ago, marked with a small get-together at the end of the month for those who attended the Rosary.

The Core Group of the Almeida Park Zone, was active involved through the 2’ half of 2005 in developing the Parish Vision & Mission Statement: Building a Faith Community for Service.

The Feast of our Patron Archangel Raphael was celebrated on 29th September, with Mass at 7.30 am. followed by coffee and snacks

A 1 ½ hour prayer and recollection session, was conducted on 2 October with guided prayer, song and silent meditation.

On 8th March. Stations of the Cross (SOTC) were conducted simultaneously at the homes of the sick and house-bound in different areas of the zone and weekly Stations of the Cross at different venues all through the Lenten Season.

“No Condolence Please” a multi media presentation and a Lenten Special held on the school grounds on 7th April 2006 was largely assisted by various members of the Zone.

A lot of assistance was also given to organizing the Passover Meal for about 50 members on Palm Sunday at the Church.

Novena to the Divine Mercy starting on Good Friday and through the following week was also conducted in the Almeida Park Zone.

Social / Cultural:

On 5th June 2005, around 70 people — young and young at heart from our neighbourhood headed to Arnala for our Zonal Picnic. Games, snacks, and the beach ensured that everyone had enough to do & for those who wanted to laze about and soak up the sun. it was an ideal time to do so.

St. Peter’s Parish Feast — Part I was celebrated on July & the Almeida Park Zonal Community actively participated in the activities lined up for the day.

St. Peter’s Parish Feast — Part II - Sparkles 2005 was celebrated with great fanfare 7th — 13th November. All animators & Community members were actively involved in the feast celebrations. A nearly 100 member strong contingent including our non-Christian brethren, represented theZone in the various competitive events namely Float. Treasure Hunt; Fashion Show. Dedication, hard work and practices ensured the 1st Place in every competition, truly displaying – Almeida Park Shining

Independence Day & Assumption of Our Lady Feast (LD.A.L. 2005): Our annual get-together was celebrated with gusto for the 8th consecutive year. The evening attracted a much larger turn over than expected irrespective of the weather conditions. Fun. Games and Snacks kept people active, alive & alert all through the evening. The Zone also ran a stall, proceeds of which were diverted to various outreach programs undertaken through the year.

A little Farewell was held for Sr. Teresa on 19th January 2006, who was finally transferred to the Byculla Convent after nearly a decade at St. Peter’s Bandra painstakingly building all our communities.

The Parish Team organized “Shukriya’ for all actively involved in church and zonal activities. Every animator of the Almeida Park Zone attended this fun-filled get-together, once again displaying our motto. Unity is Strength.

Outreach Program:

The Almeida Park Zone conducted its Outreach Mission Program on 29th January 2006. After evaluating various options and successful Outreach Programs in the past, (Udhwaa — village near Talasari; Bvculla Jail.., to name a few ) this year we decided to reach out to Sr. Paulette and St. Eliza’s — Handmaids of the Blessed Trinity, Sahar Village Branch. a home managed by a few nuns for children of broken homes or single parents, street children and a few orphans.

The Annual Easter Thanksgiving Mass - 2006 held on Friday, 21St April was well attended by nearly 175 members of our community. A double celebration — the Easter Thanksgiving as well as Fr. Juan’s 75th Birthday was celebrated in a spectacular manner.

Miscellaneous:

Other than the specified time-bound projects. the animators of the Small Christian Community - Almeida Park, are actively involved in numerous activities all through the year such as distribution of the Parish Bulletin — KEYSTONE as well as the Community Welfare Fund Envelopes & other material meant for circulation.

Maintaining of grass-root level contacts and visiting the sick, housebound of the zone and area in general.

Distribution of Mass Cards to the grieving families of the deceased and assisting in whatever manner needed.

MOTTO: UNITY IS STRENGTH

"THE ALMEIDA PARK ZONE "
This is the Almeida Park Zone,
Where none are ever alone,
‘You’ need a friend to talk to,
Someone maybe, to be with you?
Reach us on SCC Animators Helpline,
Anything, you need, is just fine,
Working on Key Concerns together,
Trying to build a tomorrow, that’s Better,
While we formulate and celebrate our faith,
Reaching out to society, an awareness to create.

OUR DEFINITION
R: Ready to Reach out
A: Amiable and Adjustable
P: Pleasant and Peaceful
H: Halcyon and Hardworking
A: Aberrant and Ablaze
E: Eager and Ernest
L: Lively and Loving all.

For further details contact:
Zonal coordinator: Parul Menezes: + 91 98206 57647
Priest in-charge: Fr. Juan + 91 22 2642 3098 / + 91 22 2645 9474
Nun in-charge: Sr. Vidhya + 91 22 2642 3099

COMMITTEE SET-UP:-
Ancella - PR Committee	Margaret - Manager – Waterfield Road
Blanche - Manager – 5th Road	Maria - Asst Treasurer
Carl - Manager - Turner Road	Pansy - Manager – 9th & 10th Road
Celine - Manager – 2nd & 3rd Road	Parul - Zonal Co-Ordinator
Diedre - Manager – 1st Road	Pia - Manager - Turner Road
Dorris - Asst Treasurer	Sandra - Manager – 5th & 6th Road
Eletra - Manager - Turner Road	Shannon - Manager – 1st Road
Fr. Juan - Priest-in-Charge	Sheila - Manager – 9th & 10th Road
Hilda - Asst Zonal Co-ordinator	Sr. Vidhya - Nun-in-Charge
Irene - Manager – 4th Road	Valerie - Manager – 5th Road
Lira - Manager – 4th Road	Winnie - PR Committee
Lynette - Secretary	Yolande - Treasurer