Solemn Inauguration of 46th Pastoral Enrichment Program
On the 29th of June 2022 on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the community of the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X, Old Goa inaugurated the 46th Pastoral Enrichment Program (PEP) with the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Cardinal-elect Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão. The theme was ‘Journeying together in the footsteps of Christ to restore all things in Him’.
This year the participants of the 46 th PEP consist of 5 newly ordained priests and 6 deacons. Fr. Simião Fernandes, Director of the Pastoral Institute welcomed the gathering drawing inspiration from the Pastoral Letter of the Archbishop. At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration the Handbook and Planner was released by the Archbishop along with a synodal representation of the Christ’s Faithful from diverse walks of life. The liturgy and prayer service booklet expounding the themes based on the Pastoral letter was released by Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes, the Vicar General. The official jersey of the Pastoral Institute bearing the name the logo of the Institute as well as the theme of the Pastoral Year was released by Mr. Celso Fernandes, member of the Administrative Committee. Deacon Movin Fernandes proposed the Vote of Thanks.
Thereafter, the Meeting of the Core Team, Close Collaborators and the Staff along with the Archbishop and the Vicar General commenced after fellowship over snacks and refreshments and it was followed by the Archbishop's fruitful shepherding interaction with the parents and the relatives of the Pastoralites. All joined together in the community lunch building fellowship with each other.
The Staff members of the Pastoral Institute also had a meeting with the family members to shed some light on the aim of PEP and the role of the family members in accompanying the Pastoralites on their journey of ongoing formation.
Later in the evening, a friendly football match was played on the lawns of the of the Pastoral Institute between St. Inez Parish Youth and the Community of the Pastoral Institute. The team of the Pastoral Institute team emerged victorious through tie-breaker with the score 2-1.