The Cathecists along with the children and Farmers of St. Michael Parish Orlim, celebrated environment Day ( Xritticho Dis) on 28th June 2026. The celebration commenced with the Solemn Mass. The main Celebrant was Fr. Hayston Ferao, the Secretary for Diocesan Ecological Commission, where he delivered a meaningful homily with the help of PPT, on the theme “Jezunt Rigun Ravum-ya, Xristtiche Rakondar zaum-ya’. He said Jesus died for the entire creation, when we cut a tree we kill a life. He highlighted the importance of taking care of creation. He focused on the present situation in Goa, how the environment is being destroyed by getting harmful projects. When such things happen, we the common man specially the poor are the sufferers. He also said, the death of our forest will be the end of our life on earth. At the end he concluded, that nature stands in need of our help and urged everyone to take a pledge to protect and care for nature, for we are the hands, the legs, the eyes, the ears and mouth of nature. He also blessed the soil, which the farmers had brought from their fields and prayed for blessings on the work of their hands. After the Mass, Miss Mabel Menezes ( member of Diocesan Ecological Commission) explained to the Cathecism children how they can be protectors of nature by practicing small little things in their homes, school and neighbourhood. Thereafter each class along with their Cathecism teacher, planted a sapling of fruit bearing tree, around the Church compound. Also Advocate Alisha Pereira and Teacher Riserea Pacheco member of Chicalim Youth Farmers Club interacted with the Farmers and shared their experence in Farming, and explained how late Dr. Fr. Bolmex Pereira had inspired them and initiated the idea of forming this Club, where today the young youth are enthusiastically involved in growing paddy and other types of vegetables on once fallow land. The whole session was very interesting and enriching. To add sweetness to the day, a local goan dish ATOL was served with black Tea.
By Ida Coutinho
Cathecist
