Fr Myron Sequeira SFX, Director of the Pilar Music Academy in Goa, along with members of the Goan community in the Netherlands.
PANAJI
A number of Goans were part of the international community which celebrated the Feast of the Holy Spirit at the Church of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows at Paterskerk-Venray in the Netherlands on May 19.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Ed Smeets (Netherlands) and Fr Myron Sequeira SFX, Director of the Pilar Music Academy in Goa.
Debbie Fernandes, a member from the Goan community who hails from Betul, read the Prayers of the Faithful in Konkani, while some other Goans also participated in the Mass.
After Mass, the Goans met for coffee with the church community and after the feast, there was a celebration at a Goan home, which included Goan food and some games.
When contacted, Fr Myron provided some details on this trip to Europe.
“I had accompanied 52 people from Goa, Australia and New Zealand on a Pilgrimage tour to West Europe along with tour leader Abigail Siqueira, daughter of Paul Siqueira from Zion Tours and Travels,” said Fr Myron.
“Having had an opportunity to spiritually nourish the faithful and myself by celebrating the Eucharistic Celebration at Lourdes, Fatima, Lanciano, Padua, and other places of spiritual significance, it was a time for me to appreciate the Faith of families in Europe, and much more. The presence of youth and children seen in deep devotion at spiritual sites was a delight to my eyes.”
After the group tour, Fr Myron took an opportunity to visit the Pilar Father's in Austria and Germany, who are rendering their services to various parishes in the two countries.
“Sometimes, three priests have to manage 12 Churches. It was indeed a humbling experience as they have to manage everything on their own including their food and laundry,” acknowledged Fr Myron.
Since his next destination was London for some music exposure programme, Fr Myron halted at the Netherlands along the way on the request of his friend, Debbie Fernandes.
“Debbie requested me to be part of the Eucharistic Celebration at the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church in the Netherlands. It was a day dedicated to people attending Church services from different countries,” said Fr Myron.
“The Prayers of the Faithful were in different languages, including a prayer in Konkani. The choir singing hymns in different languages and the sound of the pipe organ and harmonious singing with lighted candles all over the Church created an atmosphere of prayer and reverence.”
Fr Myron praised the Goans in the Netherlands for their active participation in the Mass and get-together.
“It was a lovely opportunity to interact with them and enjoy the delicious Goan meal prepared by the families,” he said.
“In my interaction with them, I urged Goan families that the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit may instil in us hope and courage in times of difficulties. We must pray that the Holy Spirit, the Love of the Father and the Son, may create harmony in our hearts, families, and societies, and fill the whole world with harmony.”
