VASCO
Parishioners of Baina bid a tearful adieu to their parish priest late Fr Antonio Cotta, at a Memorial Mass in the Our Lady of Candelaria Church on Saturday morning.
According to Baina Church Confraria President Peter Andrade, people from all walks of life, distant places and different religions were present at Mass and mourned the demise of Fr Cotta, who passed away in a hospital on Friday following injuries he had sustained after a fall at the parochial house of the church on Monday night.
At the outset of the Mass, Parish Council Moderator Deryl Colaco recollected that Fr Cotta was a humble, simple and a loving person who guided various associations of the church to live in harmony with each other.
Andrade said the entire congregation stood teary eyed as the band played the last post before the mortal remains were placed in the hearse which carried the mortal remains of the departed priest to his ancestral house at Loutolim.
The final rites will take place with a Mass at the Holy Spirit Church, Margao, on Sunday at 4 pm, to be presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao.
Later speaking to The Goan, Andrade said late Fr Cotta did an excellent job as their ecclesiastical moderator and guided the members.
