Report of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, Pilerne
The Parishioners of St. John the Baptist, Pilerne Goa, celebrated the feast of their Patron with great fervor and devotion on 24th June 2023. The day also marked the culmination of the yearlong celebrations held to commemorate the 365 years of the erection of the Church. The Novenas that preceded the feast were well organized by the somudais and different associations of the Church. Various directors of some of the diocesan centres preached during the Novenas During the Novenas .The members of the somudais offered various household articles to be used by the different centers run by the Caritas, Old Goa.
The High mass was concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Denis Fernandes, Episcopal Vicar, North Goa, Valerian Vaz, Rector of Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne, Maverick Fernandes Director, Caritas, Old Goa, Benjamin Victoria, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Curca, Bernard Cota and Derick Xavier Fernandes, the main celebrant being Rev. Fr. Tomas Lobo, Parish Priest of St Thomas Church, Aldona.
In his homily the main celebrant exhorted the congregation to emulate St. John the Baptist in fighting for truth and justice, thereby to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ. Referring to the Parish Assembly, the first of its kind in Goa, he said that we must renew ourselves to make our Church a vibrant one and journey together by leaving aside our differences and appreciating the good virtues of one another.
The Parish Choir with their melodious voices put up their very best in animating Liturgy during the Novenas and Feast Day. The priests and nuns of Pilerne were felicatated for their work in the lord\’s vineyrd. The 365 year celebrations were declared closed by the main celebrant of the feast, Fr.thomas Lobo.
After the solemn High Mass, the renovated Parochial residence was blessed and inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Cleto Luis Pereira, former Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Church.
Under the dynamic leadership and guidance of Rev. Fr. Derick Xavier Fernandes, Parish Priest, there were many spiritual, cultural, and social activities conducted throughout the Jubilee year which brought all the Parishioners together in praising God for the 365 years of faith in Pilerne.