The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman inaugurated the Pastoral Year 2026–2027 on 7th June 2026 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Chiplem, Canacona, with the unveiling of the pastoral theme, ‘Abide in Me’ (Jn 15:4). The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, together with Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes, priests of the Canacona Deanery, religious and lay faithful.
The theme, ‘Abide in Me’, calls the faithful to deepen their communion with Christ by being rooted in the three pillars of Christian life: faith formation through Scripture and the teachings of the Church, shared responsibility for catechesis, and the celebration of faith through the liturgy, the sacraments and devotional life.
The inauguration was followed by the first Pastoral Enrichment Programme (PEP) for members of the Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) of the Canacona Deanery. Organised by the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat (DPS) in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the programme marked the beginning of the fifth series of formation sessions for PPC members across the Archdiocese.
Subsequent sessions were held on 21 June at Fr. Agnel Ashram, Verna, for the Mormugao, Raia and Verna Deaneries; on 28 June at St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre Old Goa, for the Central Zone; on 12 July at Livramento Hall, Tivim, for the North Zone; and concluded on 19 July with parallel sessions being conducted at Rosary High School Hall and Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim, serving the remaining deaneries.
Throughout the programme, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes celebrated the Eucharist and reflected on the Archbishop’s pastoral letter, encouraging PPC members in their mission of communion, participation and service. Fr. Heston Ferrão conducted formation sessions on the Holy Father’s Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, presenting its key themes in a clear and practical manner. Mr Deron Rodrigues shared the Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod, with particular emphasis on the role of the lay faithful, while Fr. Leo Fernandes updated participants on the ongoing revisiting of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2033 and its vision leading towards the Great Jubilee 2033.
The concluding celebration on 19 July 2026 featured the official release of the theme song, ‘Abide in Me’ (Jn 15:4), composed and produced by Fr. Josely Rocha in collaboration with the priests and parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church, Paroda.
The Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat expresses its sincere gratitude to His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes, the resource persons, the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Deans, Parish Priests, Avita Mendes – Office Assistant (DPS) the organising team, volunteers, liturgical ministers, host parishes and institutions, and all who contributed to the successful organisation of the programme. Their generous service and commitment made the inauguration of the Pastoral Year and the Pastoral Enrichment Programme a grace-filled and enriching experience, inspiring the faithful to journey together under the pastoral call: ‘Abide in Me’ (Jn 15:4).
Report prepared by
Fr. Leo Fernandes, Executive Secretary of Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat
