Lay Vocation and Apostolate Sunday was celebrated in our Archdiocese on 27th September 2026 at Our Lady of Livramento Church, Arlem, Raia. This day was organized by the Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate (DCLA) in collaboration with Our Lady of Livrament Parish, Arlem. The theme for this year is “Mhoje Sovem Rigun Ravat: Loukik Munniarponn Visvaxiponnim Pallat” (Abide in Me: Live your Lay Vocation Faithfully). The invitees included members of the various Association and Movements under the DCLA. The response from the parishioners was overwhelming.
The day began with Adoration at 3 pm led by Fr Jorge Fernandes. This was followed by a solemn Eucharistic Celebration by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão along with Fr. Jorge Fernandes, Director of DCLA and Fr. Mario Vaz Parish Priest of Agassaim, Fr. Kenneth Telles Episcopal Vicar of South Zone, Fr Simon Fernandes, Dean of Raia Deanery and Fr. Salvador.
In his homily, Archbishop reminded the lay faithful that Jesus has specially chosen each one of us to be His disciples. Through Baptism, we share in Christ’s threefold mission and are called to live out this vocation faithfully in our daily lives. He urged the faithful to remain deeply rooted in Christ through prayer, regular reading of the Word of God, participation in the Eucharist, and a life of self-sacrifice. By remaining united with Christ, we can bear good fruit and become effective witnesses to the Gospel.
Archbishop further encouraged the faithful to witness to their faith through their daily lives and to be instruments of communion in their families, Small Christian Communities, workplaces, and in society. He called upon them to carry out their lay mission with humility, joy, and generosity, reaching out especially to the poor, the lonely, the elderly, those who are neglected, and those who have lost their way. Through such loving service, the lay faithful can become living signs of Christ’s presence and mercy in the world.
After the Eucharistic Celebration, the children of the parish presented a beautiful prayer dance, adding a graceful and prayerful touch to the celebration. This was followed by the felicitation of the DCLA Staff and DCLA Team by the Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, in recognition of their dedicated and faithful service. The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr. Collin Pereira, who expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the celebration. The DCLA is deeply grateful to Fr Mario Vaz, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Livramento Church, Arlem, and his PPC and various Associations teams for meticulously organizing the Laity Sunday programme. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork made it a joyful celebration.