Most Rev. Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, made a special pastoral visit to the Mission of Daman from August 28 to 30, 2026. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Henry Falcão, Episcopal Vicar for the Central Zone and Director of the Archdiocesan Retreat Centre, Cruz de Milagres, Old Goa, and Rev. Fr. Leo Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Secretariat.
The main purpose of the visit was to conduct a Reflection and Orientation Session for the missionaries—Priests, Sisters and Brothers—working in the Mission of Daman, in preparation for the formulation of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan leading towards the Jubilee Year 2033. The day-long session was held at the Pastoral Centre, Dapada, and was attended by nearly sixty missionaries.
Welcoming the Bishop and the gathering, Fr. Anselmo De Souza,sfx., Superior of the Mission of Daman, underlined the significance of the occasion. He said: “This gathering is particularly meaningful because we are called not simply to discuss pastoral activities, programmes and plans, but to pause and ask ourselves a deeper question: Where is God leading us as a Church, and how are we being called to journey together in fulfilling His plan?”
In his introductory address, Bishop Simião explained the purpose and importance of the session. Referring to the Synodal journey of the Church, he exhorted the missionaries to walk together, listen together and discern together. He introduced the participants to the method of “Conversation in the Spirit”, explaining its significance as a means of prayerful listening, discernment and communal decision-making. The Bishop also personally accompanied the participants in a practical demonstration of the process.
The session was placed within the broader context of the Church’s preparation for the great Jubilee celebration of the Fifth Centenary of the Paschal Mystery of the Lord in 2033. The Mission of Daman, together with the Archdiocese, is called to discern and formulate a pastoral vision and plan that will guide the Church in the coming years.
Fr. Leo Fernandes subsequently presented and explained the proposed structure of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, particularly the Activity Plan Matrix, which envisages short-term, medium-term and long-term planning. The participants were then divided into six groups for the exercise of “Conversation in the Spirit”. Through prayer, reflection and sharing, the missionaries discerned priorities and challenges facing the Mission of Daman, with special attention to areas such as Catechesis, Sacramental Life and the Educational Apostolate.
Earlier, Fr. Henry Falcão offered an inspiring reflection based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel. He invited the missionaries to rediscover the joy of being disciples and to become joyful missionaries, witnessing to the Gospel with renewed enthusiasm, hope and missionary zeal.
The visit also had moments of pastoral closeness and solidarity. On the following day, Bishop Simião, accompanied by Fr. Henry Falcão and Fr. Leo Fernandes, visited the family of the late Mrs. Ranita Nadge, who tragically lost her life in a recent road accident. The Bishop and the accompanying priests prayed with the grieving family and expressed closeness and solidarity during their time of sorrow.
The visit concluded with a joyful celebration at Silvassa, where Bishop Simião blessed the renovated church and presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration. The occasion brought together the faithful in thanksgiving and celebration, marking another significant moment in the life of the local Church.
The three-day visit of the Auxiliary Bishop and his team was a time of reflection, fellowship, prayer and renewed missionary commitment. It helped the missionaries of the Mission of Daman to look ahead with hope and to continue their pastoral journey together, discerning the promptings of the Spirit as they prepare for the future pastoral direction of the Archdiocese and the Jubilee Year 2033.
Fr. Anselmo De Souza, SFX
Superior, Mission of Daman
