Quepem Deanery organized a Bible Course and was held at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Paroda. The course was conducted by the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, Goa and Daman (DCBA). The course spanned 17 enriching sessions of two hours each from 30th June, 2024 to 15th September, 2025.
The participants were from Quepem, Chandor, Guirdolim, Ambaulim and Paroda. The course covered: Introduction to Bible, Salvation History and some aspects of the New Testament. Apart from the knowledge, the course helped the participants to engage with the Word of God in their daily life, to pray with the Bible and to discover the liberating power of the Scripture. At the conclusion of the course a Thanksgiving Mass and the distribution of the Diploma Certificates was held on 5th October, 2025 with the theme “I Hope in Your Word” (Ps. 119:74). The Solemn concelebrated Mass was presided by His Excellency Simião Purificaҫão Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Rev. Fr. Carlisto Coelho (Parish Priest, Ambaulim and Dean, Quepem Deanery), Rev. Fr. George Ratos (Parish Priest, Paroda), Rev. Fr. Josely Rocha (Asst. Parish Priest, Paroda), Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio da Costa (Priest on the Staff, Paroda) and Rev. Fr. Mariano D’Costa (Director, DCBA) were the concelebrants. The Eucharistic celebration began with the veneration of the Holy Bible. In his homily, Bishop Simião said that there could be many translations of the Bible available but the best translation is the one when we translate the Word of God through our life. He urged the participants and the congregation to continue to read, study, reflect and to deepen their faith and hope in the Word of God. At the end of the Mass, 154 Bible Course participants received Diploma Certificates at the hands of the Auxiliary Bishop. Before the final blessing, the words of appreciation and gratitude were expressed by Fr. Mariano, Fr. George, and Ms. Siphy Alfonso. Bishop Simião too expressed his deepest appreciation and congratulated the participants, DCBA, Quepem Deanery and especially the Paroda Parish for painstakingly organizing the Bible Course in their Parish. Keeping in mind the thrust of the Jubilee Year 2025, the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate has and acknowledged and felicitated Mr. Vinay Prakash (Sacristan, Paroda) and Mr. Michael Fernandes (Sound Technician), Mr. Avinash Fernandes (Choir Master) and the Choir Members, Altar Servers for their selfless services throughout the Bible Course and during the celebration. The celebration ended with the fellowship.
Reported by Mrs. Ashtrida Almeida
