“I have always wanted to help those who are disadvantaged in any way – the materially poor,
the socially disadvantaged, those who suffer in any way. I am lucky that I am
married to Francisco Dias, a man who is extraordinary and like-minded; together
we make a good team and thus have helped many,” says Maria Noemia Mascarenhas,
when asked about what made her write ‘Daring it Alone’. The 328-page,
meaningfully illustrated book has several first-hand accounts by widows and
other single women. Its cover has been designed by Vasco-based artist, Agnelo
Silveira.
This is the first book in Goa that focuses on widows and single
women. Published by Sangam Charitable Trust in collaboration with the
Redemptorist Vice- Province of St Majella and the Society of the Missionaries
of St Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), the book was released at the first ever
Widows’ Conference which was held at Vasco. “Widows and other single women have
not received adequate care and respect in our society and often have to suffer
a lot. This book is one way of supporting and encouraging widows and unmarried
single women.”
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The earlier mentioned Widow’s conference – Daring it Alone!
Widowhood – A Call to Hope and Life – had more than 200 widows from all over
Goa in attendance. “The women received a message of hope for their lives from
Fr Hilario Fernandes, Vicar-General of the Pilar Fathers, Fr Gabriel Coutinho,
hosting parish priest, and several widows from Mumbai and Goa who spoke on that
day,” adds Noemia.
Noemia is a former Sociology teacher of Rosary College, Navelim
and the person who started the ‘Daily Flash’, a monthly booklet of daily
reflections on liturgy. In 2008, she and her husband started Sangam, a centre
that works with widows and single women.
The first eight chapters of the book deal with widows on the
death of a spouse, the healing process through time and the discovery of one’s
vocation in the new life as a widow. Speaking about the second aspect of her
book – unmarried single women – Noemia explains, “Unmarried or spinsters are a
disadvantaged group in Goa that is always under pressure or looked down upon.
The larger point that we are trying to make through the book is that everybody
should be treated with respect and the attitude should be the same towards all
human beings. We formed a support group for widows in 2012 and one group for
single women, called, Akheli. We already had two conferences for unmarried
single women. It is easier for widows to be part of the society compared to
single women as the latter are seen as a stigma on society. The widow movement
made a bigger breakthrough than what was expected. The book is an inspiration
to many as it shares light on hope in life and finding real joy. Each chapter
is a personal story with a theme based on it followed by a bible verse, a short
message.”
Subsidised by the Sangam Charitable Trust, the book is prized at
Rs 200 in order to make it make affordable and reach out to a wider audience.
The book will be available at Sangam, Vasco-da-Gama, Golden Heart Emporium,
Margao, Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate (DCLA), Altinho, Panjim,
Redemptorist House in Porvorim and Varca and every Thursday at Pilar.
