As part of the Season of Creation 2026 and the 8th Centenary Celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026), St. Anne’s Church, Ponda, in collaboration with the Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE) and community partners, conducted two coastal clean-up initiatives at Miramar Beach on 12 September and Bogmalo Beach on 19 September.
Together, the two initiatives mobilised more than 95 volunteers and resulted in the collection of over 39 bags of waste, including plastic, glass bottles and other discarded material.
The Miramar clean-up brought together nearly 38 volunteers, including parishioners of St. Anne’s, DCE members, teachers, professionals, young people and children. The programme began with a prayer led by Rev. Fr. Francis Rozario, OFM, Parish Priest, after which volunteers worked in pairs across different sections of the beach. Dr. Kennedy D’Silva briefed participants on the initiative, emphasising that caring for creation is both an ecological and spiritual responsibility. More than 17 bags of waste, along with considerable quantities of glass bottles and other refuse, were collected.
The second clean-up at Bogmalo Beach on International Coastal Cleanup Day saw participation from more than 58 volunteers and resulted in the collection of approximately 22 bags of waste. The initiative was organised in association with the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club, led by President Shogun Fernandes, with Valisha Gama, Alisha Pereira and other club members and volunteers participating. Members of the DCE also joined the initiative. Fr. Heston, representing the Syro-Malabar Church in Goa, and Fr. Lijo participated along with Fr. Francis Rozario, OFM, making the event a meaningful expression of Christian collaboration in caring for creation.
The participation of children added a special dimension to the programme. Seven-year-old Ayesha, the youngest volunteer, became a touching reminder that care for creation can begin at an early age. DCE team members Miguel Braganza, Yannah Marchon and Sr. Melissa, among others, also participated and contributed suggestions for strengthening future initiatives.
The initiatives also provided an opportunity to engage beachgoers and raise awareness about the Season of Creation theme, “Living Waters,” and the need for sustained care of Goa’s coastal environment. At Miramar, Fr. Francis reflected on the need for ecological conversion and reconciliation for the environmental harm caused through our actions.
The two clean-ups are part of the wider Season of Creation 2026 programme of St. Anne’s Parish, Ponda, designated as the Season of Creation Parish 2026 in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, in partnership with the DCE.
The organisers expressed gratitude to all the clergy, volunteers, DCE members, community organisations, young people, families and well-wishers who participated.
The message was clear: faith becomes a living witness when it moves from prayer to action in caring for our common home.
