Apostolic Nuncio’s Visit to Lay Faithful at Old Goa and Caranzalem Parish
On 4th December 9.30am the Apostolic Nuncio Visited Caranzalem parish and celebrated mass in the Parish in the presence of The Parish Priest Fr. Pio Almeida, Assistant to the Parish Priest Fr. Jonas D’Souza and Fr. Joism D’Souza he was welcomed with a traditional welcome dance by catechism students.
After the mass His Excellency participated in a special gathering comprising of laity from different fields of Pastoral Organisation, associations, movements and diocesan bodies contributing to the formation and growth of faith in the Archdiocese.
A multitude of lay faithful from far and wide across the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman assembled at the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre (SJVSRC) on 4 th December 2022 at 11.00am. After having refreshed themselves, they gathered in the hall and were welcomed by Rev. Leonardo de Souza, Episcopal Vicar-Central Zone and Director-Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat. Ms. Sigrid Jane da Cunha provided the introduction to His Excellency, Most Rev Leopoldo Girelli.
The lay faithful were extremely filled with joy to welcome the Apostolic Nuncio amidst them, as he visited the SJVSRC at 11:30 am. He was welcomed by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, priests and the executive committee of Diocesan Pastoral Council. In a very prayerful atmosphere was the welcome given to him through a prayer dance done by the Youth of Our Lady of Rosary Parish, Fatorda, followed by a short prayer by Mr. Trevor de Noronha. A formal welcome was done by our Archbishop-Patriarch, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão , wherein he he expressed his joy for the Nuncio having accepted his invitation to visit Goa and shared that he was mesmerized to see how, as a shepherd the Nuncio is dedicated towards his flock like Pope Francis. To provide a brief about the archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the pastoral life, a presentation was done by Mr. Deron Rodrigues, Moderator of Diocesan Pastoral Council and Ms. Maria Fernandes, Secretary of Calangute Deanery. Through this presentation, they highlighted how the Church in Goa has tried to renew itself in all spheres of its activities, in the past few decades (the Post-Vatican Period). Through concrete expressions of a participatory Church e.g. Small Christian Communities (SCCs), the Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs), the Deanery Pastoral Councils (DePC) and the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC), by means of Christian Faith Formation programmes and, in particular, the Diocesan Pastoral Plans the Christian people of Goa have moved towards being a more dynamic, creative and co-responsible Church.
Journey through the church service as a PPC, DePC and DPC Secretary was a heart narration by Dr. Aida Dourado from the parish of Jesus Maria Jose, Nuvem. So also Mr. FranciscoFernandes from the Mapusa Parish shared his personal encounter with the Lord and his journey as an actively involved lay person. The culture of Goa is a mosaic of different sub-cultures ranging from the traditional tribal forms to the classical Indian and Western traditions. The farmers dance staged by the lay faithful from Verna and Raia deanery sought to showcase the rich culture of Goa, besides providing amusement. In his address to the Lay faithful, His Excellency, Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli Apostolic Nuncio appreciated the well-structured and participatory Church in Goa. However he felt that it is important that as individuals and as a community we keep a strong faith. He said that although as Catholics we are a minority in our state and country, yet the history of Catholic faith in India has been inspiring. He called the Catholic community in to be committed by choice to the mission of Christ and to be aware that we are a small Church living in big multi- religious society of India, thus dealing with the reality humbly and bravely, ready to face sufferings and not only looking for privileges. He further interacted with the lay faithful as he responded to a few questions from the audience.