Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao Inaugurates the Pastoral year 2022 – 2023
The Pastoral year of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was inaugurated and the pastoral letter 2022-23, of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was released on 1st June at St Francis Xavier Church Duler at the hands of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao after the confirmation Mass there. the release of the Pastoral letter was done through the hands of different represenntatives of the Archdiocese along with the Archbishop. They were Fr. Leonardo Pegado D\’Souza (Director of Pastoral Secretariat), Fr. Leo Fernandes (Executive Secretary of Pastoral Secretariat), Fr. Simiao Fernandes(Convener of the Main coordinating team Synod 2023) , Mrs Gail Misquita (Co-Convener), Mr. Celso (Co-Convener), Mr. Deron (Joint Secretary), Mr. Bimal(representative of Migrants), Mr. Avelino( representative of people with disabilities),Fr. Anthony Fernandes (Parish Priest of Duler), Fr. Denis Fernandes(Diocesan Council of Priests), Fr. Barry Cardozo (Diocesan Council of Bodies), Fr. Nathan ( Men Religious), Sr. Musella (Women religious), Novice Victoria,Seminarian Aaron, Mr. Leston(Youth), Derwyn(Catechism children) and Sem. Jovial. This was done to symbolise that pastoral work is a collaborative effort.
Fr. Leo Fernandes while inviting the Archbishop to release the Pastoral letter, appreciated the Archbishop for bringing out the pastoral letter every year to aid in the formation of all Catholics. After the release of the pastoral letter some copies were distributed to representatives of Diocesan Main Co-ordinating team of the Synod of Bishops 2023, symbolising the role each and every catholic has to play in building a vibrant church and better society. Later on Fr. Simiao Fernandes gave a brief summary of the Pastoral Letter.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao while appreciating the hard work put in by the Pastoral Secretariat and its collaborators, especially Fr. Simiao Fernandes who helped in preparing the pastoral letter, called upon all the catholics to play their role in building a truly synodal church. He envisaged the importance of strengthening our families, revitalising our Small Christian Communities and forming Small Human Communities where people of different beliefs or religions come together to build a humane and inclusive society.
Finally Fr. Anthony Fernandes the Parish Priest of Duler and his Parishioners felicitated Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao for being chosen to be made a Cardinal by Pope Francis. The program ended with the blessing of the newly built Parish Pastoral centre of the Duler Parish at the hands of the Archbishop.
The Pastoral Letter will be available for Rs. 20/- at the following places:
1- Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat Office Panjim, Institute Piedade.
2- Lighthouse Margao
3- Pauline book & Media Centre (Panjim & Mapusa)