The celebration of the Jubilee of Migrants was held on 19th October 2025, in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman at St. Ann’s Church, Ponda. It was an invitation and a reminder for the migrants to renew their gift of hope, to surrender their sufferings and concerns to the Lord of hope and to share it with others as pilgrims and missionaries of hope.
The Diocesan Commission for Migrants (DCM) organized the Jubilee of Migrants in collaboration with the priests and parishioners of St. Ann’s Church, Ponda. The Jubilee programme began with a very well organized, lively Eucharistic Celebration. Representatives of Migrants from all over Goa, representing various centres from the North, Central and South zone, actively participated in the Mass, in which, Fr. Carlos Dias ofm was the main celebrant and Fr. Francis Rosario ofm preached the homily. Fr. Hemant Xess ofm and the members of the DCM, namely, Frs. Donato Rodrigues- Convenor of the Commission for Migrants, Maverick Fernandes, Michael Pereira SVD and Elroy da Gama, concelebrated in the Mass. The programme that followed soon after Mass, began with a welcome song and dance, a meaningful rite of lighting of the lamp, a very informative and interactive talk by Ms. Feliza Goes, games conducted by Mr. Custodio Dias, a sumptuous lunch served with love and personal touch by the parishioners of Ponda, and fellowship interactions among participants. DCM member Elizabeth Coelho was the main coordinator of the Jubilee Day celebrations and Mr. Blasius Kullu compered the programme
(Report prepared by Mrs. Nelly Crasto, Member DCM)