Angels among us – Bringing smiles to Brides

You don’t have to be the leader of the free world to make a difference to the lives of others; in fact I dare say he (Donald Trump) makes a mess. The truth is that each of us have wings that we have not learnt to spread and when we do, we make a difference, one person at a time.

Kanchan Hatyal is one such angel in the city of Mumbai and an active parishioner of St Jude Church, Malad East. She lives with her husband and two children in an apartment no larger than five hundred square feet.  Space in the city of Mumbai is a luxury and every inch matters. Yet Kanchan has cleared an entire closet in her tiny bedroom to make space for wedding gowns that brides in need can borrow.

While every bride dreams of the perfect bridal dress, the reality is that many just can’t afford one. Kanchan loans these gowns to Catholic brides and in return she asks that a mass be offered for the donor of the gown and that the gown be laundered and returned so that it can be used by someone else.

She now has a modest collection of seven gowns but hopes that those who have tucked their gowns away at the back of the closet would donate it to this wonderful cause before age yellows those fairy tale dresses.

If you wish to donate your wedding or communion gowns or if you are in need a gown, please contact Kanchan Haryal on 8108001591. Granted that you might be sentimentally attached to your wedding gown but it has greater value when worn by someone rather than tucked at the back of your wardrobe. Truth be told, in time, these dresses that we cling to will be going, going…gown!

Be an angel and do the right thing this year, bring a smile to another bride.

Fr Warner D’souza

NB: Be an angel and share this article. Kanchan can be contacted via whatsapp on 8108001591