It was 21 years ago that Blessed Mother Teresa accompanied by Fr. Joe and friends of Kripa inaugurated Kripa Vasai. Today 21 years later Kripa Vasai remembers that day daily by the staff, saying the prayer that Fr. Joe thought them, the prayer of Blessed Mother Teresa."Make us humble and worthy Lord, to serve our fellow human beings, who live and die in poverty and hunger, in addiction and addiction related ailments such as HIV. Give them through our hands their daily bread , the daily care they need and by your mercy grant us peace."
Today on this great day with Mother Teresa's blessing Fr. Joe received a cheque of Rupees 7 lacs from the Mayor Shri Narayan Mankar of the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation for all the work he is doing for addicts and people living with HIV.
The Kripa family of Vasai under the guidance of Fr Seraphinus and Ms. Jean Pereira organised a day long program. The function started with a prayer and Bhaajan after which beautiful memories shared by Mr Wilfred Pereira bro in law of Fr. Joe and Mr. Tony Pereira brother of Fr. Joe. Mrs. Evette Coutinho shared her association with kripa and Bosco D'Souza , the National Program Director who has been there since the concept of kripa Vasai shared his memories and praised the entire Pereira family right from Fr. Joe's parents to his nephew and nieces for the philanthropic services to mankind. He mentioned how he missed Fr. Joe for the occasion as he was aboard teaching Kripafoundation Yoga in Poland , Switzerland, Germany but was confident that he would be present for its silver jubilee. It was heartening to see Mr. Ossie Pereira participate in the program.
The day long program also included game competitions amongst the in house family and ended with the sumptuous lunch cooked by the staff of Kripa Vasai kitchen. A special thanks of gratitude to each and every staff and patient of Kripa Vasai for hosting a memorial program.
Submitted and collage by
Mozen H
Kripa Vasai
