This morning I was glad that I could make it for the Memorial Mass of Mr Anthony Noronha, the dad of Mario, a long time family friend. It was nice to meet very many of the family members, most of whom I last met when I was a little. Papa and Mummy always had/have a high regard for this particular family and from my little interaction with Mario I can sense why so.
I distinctly remember when Papa passed away and I was overseas. By the time I came home, all the arrangements for the Mass and funeral were done; mostly by Baly and Santiagu. But I also became aware that there were some family friends who had also chipped in. With Mario, it was particularly evident. He did not come to the limelight or make himself prominent. But he did greatly help at home. At one particular moment, after we returned home from the burial ground, we were serving meals for all at home. There were quite a few, with many from Mangalore. And Mario was helping out in serving. When I offered him the plate and invited him to have his meal he said, "Those of the family eat last, after serving the guests!" And he continued serving the 'guests' with a smile!
Today as I sat in the Church praying for the family, I repeated to myself what I had shared at Fr Maliekal's mum's funeral: I did not know her. I never spoke to her or met her. Yet as the saying goes, 'The tree is known by its fruits' I am happy and convinced to say that she was a very loving, hardworking and principled woman... all because I know two of her sons. And both of them are exemplary in their way of life. I therefore believe that it is more than grace that has made them what they are... which I attribute to her upbringing.
Hence my admiration and appreciation of the man whose Memorial Mass I was attending - a total stranger to me personally, yet not someone about whom I knew nothing!
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