Club culture

Monsoon getaways. Football matches. Talent hunts. Life is one big party at the Senior Parishioners Club. Kareena Gianani reports

Philu Rodrigues pulls a seat for herself and sits down — but not for long. As soon as she spots Sandra Khan and Judy D’Souza sitting across, she jumps up like an excited schoolkid. “Can I sit with you guys?” The others nod and quickly grab a seat and the three settle down, giggling. The room is abuzz with voices, each chirpier than the other. There is never a quiet moment when the members of the Senior Parishioners Club (SPC) at Mazgaon’s St Anne’s Church meet.

It all began in 1999 when Colin D’Souza, 58, felt a need to jazz up the lives of silvers in and around the parish of the church. Groups catering to older parishioners have always been around. It’s old, yet new because of the demographic change that is taking place in society. There’s a young-old group that has emerged.

Most of them are retired, have some money and still have their health. A former science teacher, D’Souza saw energy and potential in the people. “Seniors are a neglected lot everywhere. I found that all they need is a platform to connect socially and spiritually, to fight loneliness.”

And so it began, with 10 members, Rs60,000 donated by the church and a small room called the Parish Centre. The SPC began by setting up some basic recreation infrastructure — a table-tennis room, carrom, a playing cards area and music. It was soon clear that the SPC had met an incredible need.

“People were feeling alienated,” say D’Souza. “They’ve really hooked into the need for companionship and community in the parish setting.” Soon the centre had membership queries from far-off parishes like Asangaon, Sewri and even Vasai. “Today, the SPC has 250 members, including 22 of the core-committee,” says Dominic Fernandes, its shy, talented vice president.

The members at the SPC sure do get around. They can be seen on nature trails, at concerts and at church functions. Parishes often form similar clubs but SPC is probably amongst the most active. “Our core-committee is divided into eight cells — health, entertainment, spirituality, library, games, catering, excursions and publicity,” says Steven Alphonso, 65. “We are the only association that chalks out an annual plan in January and sticks by it.”

So what do they do? Everyone starts speaking simultaneously, excitedly counting off the centre’s activities. D’Souza takes charge over the din and signals to George Mendonca. “We have an annual pilgrimage to Mt Mary’s Church in Bandra,” says Mendonca. “And yoga classes, computer coaching and regular talks on health and wellbeing by experts.”

During Christmas, the members visit house-bound seniors. “You have to see their faces light up when we present the gift hampers — it makes our day,” says Mendonca. Ambrose D’Souza cuts in impatiently. “I have re-lived my childhood reading Enid Blytons in our library for an annual fee of Rs100.”

The group, ranging in age from 50 to 95, is willing to do any kind of activity as long as people are interested in it. Even sunset cruises, monsoon getaways and summer picnics. The most awaited event is the Summer Holiday Club in May for parish children. “Telly-matches, treasure hunts, chocolate-making classes, and field trips  — we slog hard and have it all,” says Ambrose. And if you want to see the seniors get down and dirty, catch the Inter-parish Sports Festival in April when six churches vie for a silver trophy.

“To see 200 seniors yelling, kicking and playing in the dust is a revelation,” says Herculano Rodrigues, a former national football referee and sports coach at SPC.

The SPC charges an annual fee of Rs60 from each member. They also get funds from the church and families of deceased members. And generous donations, in kind, from  corporates and banks. It is clear that members have found more than just a way to pass time through this association.

For most, bidding goodbye to successful careers wasn’t easy. Anne Aranha recounts the tough times she went through when she resigned from the post of senior manager in an organisation. “I went into my shell. I was depressed and bitter, and was on a emotional and physical downslide. The centre has brought back the joy of life.” Judy D’Souza, a single mother, always sensed she had to break the monotony of her life — but didn’t know how. “Being a member made me realise that one needn’t become a fossil at 50. I have something to look forward to every day.”

There are some members who had never planned to be with the SPC — people who thought think it was just a bunch of old people playing bingo. “I am a trained social worker but detested the idea of joining the SPC,” says Sandra Khan, teacher. “I passed it off as another group spending dull evenings discussing arthritis and cursing old age. And look what I found — the ever-effervescent George who refuses to leave my hand at parties!” She looks across at George Mendonca who takes a bow and winks.

They all turn to praise Colin D’Souza as the “leader” who was responsible for the change in their lives. “With such a responsive group, who wouldn’t make a good leader?” he asks. At that, Mendonca and gang whistle and exchange high-fives.