PANAJI: The World Day of the Grandparents and the Elderly was marked with a difference in St Francis Xavier Parish, Duler, on July 28, as part of its Decennial Celebrations and Parish Pastoral Vision: “Rooted in Christ, towards a Community of Hope and Love”. The programme, focused on caring for and empowering Senior Citizens above 60, began with a Mass involving Catechism Children and Youth. After the Eucharistic celebration, Grandparents and Elders attended a “Senior Citizens’ Empowerment Programme”.
Speakers included Antonio Joao Fernandes, Dattaprakash Kavlekar, Bablo Parab, and DySP Braz Menezes. The event featured a Q&A session, a skit, and entertainment by the Parish Youth Group. The seniormost citizens from 14 Wards were felicitated. About 40 people registered for the Parish Senior Citizens Forum, ending with a fellowship meal for 200. The evening saw ‘Care Visits’ to elderly living alone, coordinated by the Family Apostolate Cell, sharing tokens of appreciation and bringing joy to the visited seniors.
