Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao along with Rachol Seminary staff and participants of the Theological-Pastoral formation course.
PANAJI
The Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol and the Good Shepherd Institute of Theology conducted a Theological-Pastoral Formation Course for the lay faithful at the Rachol Seminary from June 2023 till January 2024.
The course comprised 14 sessions which were held on Sundays and it was attended by 116 participants from different parishes in the archdiocese of Goa and Daman. The course concluded with the awarding of diplomas to the participants by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao on in the Seminary on January 14.
The objective of the course was to carry out an ongoing adult formation to help participants to deepen their knowledge of Catholic faith, to develop a better understanding of their pastoral responsibilities, to help them to become more committed witnesses of the Gospel and to prepare lay leaders with a firm theological and spiritual formation in order to facilitate active collaboration in the Church.
The topics covered during the course included: Revelation and Faith, Introduction to the Bible, God and Trinity, Christology, Pneumatology, Mariology, Theological Anthropology, Ecclesiology, Church History, Canon Law, Liturgy and Sacraments, Eucharist, Moral Theology, Marriage, Spiritual Theology, Mission and the Lay Faithful. The resource persons were Fr Daniel Pereira, Fr Macson Fernandes, Fr George Dias, Fr Henry Falcao, Fr Nelson Sequeira, Fr Donato Rodrigues, Fr Aleixo Menezes, Fr Afonso Mendonca, Fr Jorge Fernandes, Fr Ashley Alphonso and Fr Agnelo Pinheiro.
Each day began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by 5 lectures, wherein details on the subject were taught and explained. There was also an interactive time slot provided at the end of each day wherein, practical issues, difficulties and queries that arose in the minds of the participants were addressed.
The participants were encouraged to submit an assignment to evaluate their assimilation of the subject matter and also to enhance their interest in the theological issues that were discussed.
The course culminated with the ‘Diploma Day’ on January 14. The day began with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão at 10 am.
Thereafter, there was a formal programme held in the seminary auditorium. At the very outset, Rector of the seminary, Rev. Dr Donato Rodrigues accorded a cordial welcome to all. The participants were awarded the diploma certificates at the hands of our Cardinal.
In his address, Cardinal Ferrão called upon participants to utilise the knowledge gained through this course to have a more personal and profound relationship with Christ so that they can bear witness to Him with deeper love, joy and dedication. This will make them committed disciples of Jesus who can carry forward His mission through a Synodal Church marching towards building and strengthening our communion with one another according to mind and heart of Jesus, the Cardinal added.
Two participants, Sheina Castelo and Cedric Da Costa, shared their enriching experiences of the course. The Santa Cecilia Choir under the guidance of Fr Mathew Rebello enthralled everybody with a beautiful rendition of the ‘Goencheo Munn’nnio’ written and arranged by Fr Bernado Cota.
On the occasion, the seminarians were awarded prizes for their academic excellence for the year 2022-2023.
