A new CRI team for Goa Unit!
Over 200 religious from all over Goa congregated at St Pius X, Pastoral Institute, Old Goa on Sunday, 24th July, 2022 for the General Assembly of the CRI.
Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop-Patriarch of Goa and Daman, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at 9.00 am. The religious serving in the Archdiocese, took the opportunity to wish and felicitate him on being elected to be a Cardinal by Pope Francis. Rev. Fr Paul Alvares OFM Cap, the president of the Goa CRI Unit, voiced the sentiments of all the religious and assured the Cardinal-elect of their prayers, as he accepted this new and onerous responsibility in the Universal Church.
In his address, the Archbishop appreciated and acknowledged the presence and role of the religious in the life of the Archdiocese. They were involved in many praise worthy apostolates. At the same time, he also expressed a few of his concerns and invited all the religious to work unitedly in realizing the pastoral plans that are chalked out from time to time.
The members of the new Executive Committee that were elected at the General Body Meeting of Local Superiors held on 30th June 2022 and 1st July 2022, at Mary Immaculate School, Panjim (for North Goa) and Fatima Convent, Margao (for South Goa), according to the new guidelines, were formally announced and installed. The following will be steering the Local CRI for the next three years:
President: Sr Flory Rodrigues FMCK
Vice President: Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD
Secretary: Sr Blossom Fernandes RMI
Treasurer: Br Prem Sagar SG
Members: Sr Ranjana Carval FS, Sr Grace Rodrigues FDCC, Fr Peter Melo Fernandes SFX, Sr Livia Nunes SFN, Sr Matilda Endro BS and Fr Eugene D’Silva CSsR
The outgoing Executive Committee were:
Fr Paul Alvares OFM Cap (President)
Sr Musela Nunes FHIC (Vice President)
Sr Gerosa Dias SFN (Secretary)
Sr Vanitha Mary SAC (Treasurer)
Members: Sr Ancy Joseph SJC, Fr Nathan SSS, Sr Pritisha AC, Br Raj CF, Sr Maria Christi AC, Fr Peter Michaels CPPS and Sr Agnes CCR
Those present were felicitated by Rev. Fr Felix Fernandes SDB, Provincial of the Salesians, and member of the CRI, National Executive Committee. They have indeed done a commendable job in spite of all the odds during the pandemic, keeping in touch through the digital media and also coordinating the consultation among the religious in preparation for the Pre-Synodal meeting at Old Goa 2022.
Fr Simião Fernandes, Convenor of the Synodal Process in the Archdiocese and Director of Pastoral Institute, highlighted the main parts of the Pastoral Letter of the Archbishop: Follow Me. In his lucid and succinct presentation, he explained how it was closely linked to the theme of the Synod 2023, convened by Pope Francis: Communion, Participation and Mission.
The new President of the CRI – Goa Unit, Sr Flory Rodrigues FMCK, placed before the assembly her vision for the coming years and sought the collaboration of all, to walk and work together for the good of the Local Church.
The day’s proceedings ended with a vote of thanks by the new Vice-President, Fr Silvestre D’Souza. All then participated in a fellowship meal, which gave ample opportunities for interaction and bonding. Sr Grace Rodrigues, beautifully compered the entire programme. Words of gratitude were expressed to the outgoing committee and best wishes were given to the new Executive Committee.
Report prepared by Fr Silvestre D’Souza OCD
(Vice-President of CRI, Goa Unit)