White Doves spreads Spirit of Christmas through ‘2016 Year-Old-Fact in a Mobile Act’
Mangaluru: In keeping with their customary annual tradition, the ‘White Doves’ headed by Corrine Rasquinha, put up a spectacular show, spreading the message of love and peace as shown by Jesus himself two thousand years ago under the title “2016-Year-Old-Fact in a Mobile Act”, marking their 22nd Mobile Act. This year The White Doves began their first show at Christian College grounds-Udupi on Friday, November 25 at 6 pm. On 26th the show was held at Our Lady of Health Church Shirva at 6 pm, and on Sunday 27th November at Nehru Maidan at 5 30 pm followed by the last show held at the St Agnes Special School grounds at 8 pm. The play depicted the life of St Lawrence unfolded through songs and dances. Around 100 artistes performed at the show and entertained the people through their moving performance.
For the 22nd year in a row, the ‘White Doves’ an NGO involved in taking care of the destitute and running two homes in Mangaluru with over 135 inmates, all picked up from the streets of Mangaluru irrespective of their caste, religion or creed, staged these Street plays as Christmas season approaches.. The show in song and act has brought together over 150 artists from various backgrounds to pool in their talents and the actors, mostly youngsters kept the audience spellbound with their sheer acting skills. They accorded an aura of realism to the play, and transported the audience back into the past. The mobile act was performed on trailer truck and the stage measured over 95 feet. The troupe consisted of actors, singers, musicians, dancers, technical and stage managers. The show lasted for one and half hour duration. Every year White Doves puts up a spectacular show, and this year it was extra spectacular.
Blessing and inaugurating the show at St Agnes Special School grounds, the Bishop of Mangaluru, Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza complimented Corrine Rasquinha for her love towards the destitute, and in the same way preaching the message of Jesus through these shows. The Bishop said, “God sent his only Son for the welfare of mankind. On experiencing the pain of the human race, he transformed into a common man sent by the Lord. One can see God in the economically deprived. A great man is one who finds God in the poor and helps them. Hence God became a common man to make the poor richer.” Everyone is ‘God’s child’ and the act of sharing and caring for one another was one of the rich concepts brought out through the show which was appreciated by the bishop. The Bishop wished White Doves all success in their future ventures and also prayed that the Lord will strengthen the organisation to carry out their service in society.
Congress Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza also praised the work done by White Doves towards the less fortunate and the destitute. Both the shows in Mangaluru (at Nehru Maidan at 5:30 pm, and at St Agnes Special School ground at 8 pm) were witnessed by a large crowd, and they all applauded the fantastic and superb show put up by White Doves. This being a popular show in and around Mangaluru has completed over 300 shows since the past 22 years to date. The group is a blend of people from all walks of life coming together to promote peace and harmony and brotherhood by showcasing their varied talents. The musical show was also interspersed with a number of dances that lent variety to the evening’s events. The carol singers in red and white, with their sweet melodious voices, were a treat to the eyes and ears. An air of expectancy hung in the air and was dispelled only when Santa Claus made a grand entry towards the end, much to the delight of the children present there.
This year the show depicted the life of St Lawrence, a play well-written by Bannu Fernandes of Mangaluru. Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, “Father, where are you going without your deacon?” he said. “I am not leaving you, my son,” answered the Pope. “in three days you will follow me.” Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away.
The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Lawrence to bring the Church’s treasure to him. The Saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: “This is the Church’s treasure!” In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. “Turn me over,” he said to the judge. “I’m done on this side!” And just before he died, he said, “It’s cooked enough now.” Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. After that, he went to receive the martyr’s reward. Saint Lawrence’s feast day is August 10th, and in DK, the feast is celebrated on a big scale at St Lawrence Church-Attur/Karkala.
While appreciating the generous support of many donors and well-wishers, and also while looking forward to more support from the general public, Corrine Rasquinha speaking to the crowd said, “We have always trusted in our God. He has always provided for the needs of White Doves through large-hearted, generous people. We remain grateful and thankful to God Almighty who makes all things possible. Any kind of help is most welcome by us. I am happy to see a large number of people gathered here to witness our show which is quite unique, which has been well-written by Bannu Fernandes, as always.”
White Doves an NGO founded by Corrine Rasquinha in the early 1990’s with the motto to reach out to the least, last and lost has been running homes for the destitute and mentally challenged since 18 years. Over 496 destitute picked up from the streets of Mangaluru have been rehabilitated and over 90 have been reached back to their homes all over India including Nepal after a total recovery from their mental illness. Presently there are 135 men, women and children residing in the two homes run by the White Doves at Matadakani and Jail Road in Mangaluru.. This is the only home of its kind in Mangaluru where the destitute are picked from the streets and nursed back to normalcy and having a license from the District Administration to take care of Psychiatric destitute. In addition, the White Doves feeds over a 150 hungry mouths on the streets on daily basis. The other works of White Doves being building homes for the homeless, educating the poor, providing rations to the marginalised of society and providing succour to the poor patients.
Kudos to Corrine Rasquinha and the White Doves for a great show, and to Bannu Fernandes for excellent choreography and directing the show. And thanks to Sr Shruthi AC, the Principal of St Agnes Special school for providing the ground to stage the show- she was felicitated by the Bishop for her kind gesture. Long live White Doves!
Very good event, Great work by Corrine. And good pictures and article by Alfie. Hats off.