SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: In the absence of a grave-digger and the hesitating behaviour of people, Fr Heston Ferrao, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Snow's Church, Raia along with Parish Youth members have been courageous enough in digging graves for the last many days to give a decent burial to the dead in Raia, in wake of the Covid crisis.
Raia parish has witnessed several Covid deaths since the outbreak of Covid-19. But with the absence of a regular grave-digger, the youth, under the leadership of young Priest Fr Heston have turned grave-diggers.
At the moment the members of the Parish Youth Group are coming to the cemetery and helping to dig the grave. Fr Heston is not just monitoring the work but he himself is engaged in grave-digging for the last many days.
Speaking to Herald, Fr Heston said the parish is facing manpower shortage as regard to grave-digging due to the continuous deaths including maximum due to the Covid infections in Raia in the last ten days.
"The grave-digger engaged by the Church is on leave and hence we are facing a tough time with regard to managing grave-digging. We have also noticed that few people are afraid of coming to the cemetery and dig the grave for their loved ones or for the other dead. Few are hesitating because of some kind of old beliefs", the priest said.
As there is no option left our Parish Youth Group took an initiative to be grave-diggers in order to resolve the issue.
"Initially two members joined the mission and thereafter one by one the number increased to above five. Now, they are ready, and hence we together help the people. Whoever he may be, every dead deserves a decent burial. Especially in these Covid crises", Fr Heston said.
Giving credit to the Youth Group he said, “it was their idea and initiative. There is no such work that is below dignity. Every work deserves praise. It is not shameful to do grave-digging. We all enjoyed doing it”.
"Burying the dead is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. And I am happy our youth did it. Let us reach out to our brothers and sisters who are struggling due to this Covid-19 pandemic", he said.
Fr Heston thanked the members of the youth group -- Mecwin, Darron, Elesbon, Jalson, Pearl, Welkin and Silvester.
“I didn't respond to our priests from the Church when they requested us for help, as I had never done such work before in my life. Attending funerals, looking at a body was something which I had always distanced myself. But today I can say it took away all my fear and made me stronger”, said Jalson Pacheco, a member of Parish Youth.
Another member Welkin Oliveira said it is a very good experience today in this pandemic times. Today, I got an opportunity to lend a helping hand from my side to society. This experience I'll never forget in my entire life. I felt a little proud of myself”.
“Initially all that fear, anxiousness was there but at the same time there was excitement digging graves because it was our first time. We enjoyed doing the work and at the same time, we had control over our fear and also we received positive vibes and encouragement from our parishioners and so we went ahead for the second day too and we moved on”, said Darron Moraes.
Mecwin Fernandes said some of his friends said its a difficult work to do, some people made fun of us, laughed at us. While Silvester Mascarenhas said it
wasn't a horrifying experience at all. And I'm really proud of myself.
The efforts of Fr Heston and the Parish Youth Group have been highly appreciated by the parishioners not only from Raia but from other parishes also.
It may be noted that due to the continuous deaths due to Covid infections many parishes of Goa are facing a tough time of grave-diggers. Relatives of dead too are struggling to engage grave-diggers, and parishes are forced to hire people for grave-digging. But the courage shown by the young Priest Fr Heston and members of the Raia Parish Youth group has set an example for others.
