Amario Moral - Baptism: Reflection by Mr.J. Justin

JMJ

22.1.11

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Christening of baby boy Joe AMARIO, son of Prince Moral and Nalina at the Church of OUR LADY OF STAR OF THE SEA, Singapore on Saturday 15^th January 2011, followed by lunch next day at the residence of Prince Moral. Praise the Lord.

By God’s grace, the Christening and its function were grand and memorable. It was God’s plan dear mother of Anto Moral and Prince came from Patnam and stayed with them. They were lucky and privileged. Dear late father of Anto and Prince, Mr Melizone Moral was well remembered.

It was something to remember also for us. In our 31 years in Singapore, and out of 31 Catholic Churches in Singapore (latest newly built church is DIVINE MERCY Church) we attended 6.30 pm Mass for first time in the Church of OUR LADY OF THE STAR (“Stella Maris). Holy Mass was in Tamil and we felt we were in Patnam. Coincidentally, the parish of the Church, celebrated the feast of INFANT JESUS. Before the Mass, Novena devotion to INFANT JESUS was recited in Tamil. The Tamil choir was excellent and all could join as the Tamil songs and Tamil prayers also were screened on the wall on either side of the altar of the Church. The whole service was well conducted by one of our Bharatha community member and our family friend Mr. Jude Anand and his team. He gave the vote of thanks at the end of the Mass and he spoke well in Tamil.

The chief celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Yacob. He is the assistant parish priest of OUR LADY OF LOURDES Church in Singapore. He preached an inspiring homily. There were 10 altar boys and it was beautiful to see them serving the Mass piously. During Mass, Fr. Yacob babtised the baby AMARIO. He was the only baby to baptize during INFANT JESUS Feast day Mass. Anto and his wife Sterina were the Godparents. Name AMARIO, A stands for St. Alphonsa. Prince and Nalina prayed to miraculous and first saint of India St. Alphona for their God’s gift baby.

Some of our relatives including Mr. Joystone V. Rayen and his family, Rathesh and family, Jerryson Kagoo and family, Agnel Rayen and family, Bro. Britto Pinto, Rakesh (pootan of late Zacharias A. Kattar) and ourselves attended the Mass and Christening lunch together with mother of Anto and Prince and family members. One of our close friends, Mr. Babu, Godson of Jude Anand’s parents, helped to shoot pictures. Anto’s 13 year old daughter Jessica took the video coverage.

They invited about 100 people for the Christening lunch. The chief guest was the Parish Priest Fr. J.J. Fenolon. He is an Indian Singaporean Tamil and he is gifted in singing and preaching. He is one of the only 3 priests in Singapore who can say Mass in Tamil.

By God’s everything went on well. We are proud of Anto and Prince family for their unity, affection and humility and take very good care of their dear mother and family members in Patnam. I was taken up when I received the name card of Anto Moral. He is working for the biggest American oil company: CHEVRON in Singapore for past more than decade and he is in good position. Prince is also working in one of the biggest American company SEAGATE who manufacture hard disc etc. Nalina wife of Prince is working as nurse in Singapore biggest and private Mount Elizabeth hospital. Praise the Lord.

We cannot forget, when our former PP from Patnam Fr. Xavier George came to Singapore few years ago when parents of Anto an Prince were staying with them, Fr. Xavier George celebrated Holy Mass in Anto’s residence. There was very good gathering of our Patnam relatives and enjoyed home cooked dinner.

Everyone knows, the house of Anto and Prince in Patnam is very next to “Helen” Ma/big sister’s place. Moral family is closely related to us.

Thanks to our grand nephew dear Praveen for inserting with pleasure the Christening pictures of BABY AMARIO in his website famous: www.madeinpatnam.com

Praise the Lord.

“Glory”