PANAJI
The Our Lady Mother of the Poor Church in Tilamola organised an eco-friendly initiative on July 7, to promote ecological awareness and sustainable practices.
The event brought together parishioners, students, and the Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE) under the guidance of Parish Priest Fr Aldrin D'Costa, along with Assistant Parish Priests Fr Aidan Manuel Fernandes and Fr Denrish Clyde D'Costa.
The programme began with a prayer led by Fr Rosario Oliveira (Parish Priest of Se Cathedral Old Goa) and resident of the Tilamola village. This was followed by villagers along with students, teachers and heads of Our Lady Mother of the Poor High School, Tilamola, and Immaculate Conception High School, Paroda, marching in the paddy field.
Cultivation was carried out as hands-on experience in fields, with enthusiastic participation from villagers guiding the students while Diocesan Commission for Ecology member Mabel Menezes showed support for the initiative.
The event aimed to promote ecological awareness, provide hands-on experience in sustainable practices, and help students develop a deeper understanding of nature connect and instilled a sense of responsibility to our land.
They successfully cultivated the area given with utmost joy. The programme ended with meal prepared by villagers, fostering community spirit.
“As the Pastoral Letter invites people to care for nature, the Tilamola parishioners came together to care for the Mother Earth by cultivating the field. People of Tilamol are farmers and love to cultivate the field, which also promoted unity and dedication,” said Fr Aldrin D’Costa.
Added Fr Aidan Manuel Fernandes, Assistant to the Parish Priest: “The motive was to bring parishioners together. Usually we complain that people don't come to the Church but if we create an opportunity, there is a possibility that they will come. Since most people are farmers, we decided to get together to work in the fields.”
Gretta Menezes, Headmistress of Immaculate Conception High School Aveddem-Paroda said the activity gave students a rich and variable hands-on experience of cultivation.
“This will develop in them love for nature and also to live with sustainable leaving and even spark an interest in potential future career,” said Menezes.
A parishioner, Alcina Fernandes, thanked the priests for giving them this opportunity to come together and work with each other.
“Also, many students at the schools in Tilamola and Paroda came and worked along with the people,” she said.
Mabel Menezes said it was a pleasure to see all age groups joining in for the activity, showing their love and care to the mother earth.
“I thank Fr Aldrin for giving us an opportunity to be a part of this event. It was a wonderful experience of learning traditional method of cultivation,” said Menezes.
