THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Thirty-two Divine Mercy groups of the parish/chapels were formed in the parishes/chapels in the Archdiocese of Goa by the Carmelite Friars as a responsibility and permission to promote devotion given to them by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão.
These includes parishes/chapels of Agassaim, Azossim, Benaulim (St John the Baptist), Betul, Betalbatim, Bicholim, Bogmalo, Borim, Camurlim (Salcete), Canacona, Carvota,Cavelossim, Cuncolim, Desterro, Fatorda, Loliem, Marcela, Mardol, Nerul, Paroda, Pernem, Ponda, Quepem, Saligao, Sancoale, Sanguem, Sanvordem, Tollecanto, Utorda, Vaddem-Curdi, Valpoi and Zorivaddo.
More groups will be formed in the coming year.
The Archbishop expressed his desire to have Divine Mercy devotion in every parish/chapel of the Archdiocese at the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday 2016 and requested the Carmelites to promote this devotion.
Accordingly, a letter was sent by the Carmelites to all the parish priests and the resident chaplains requesting them to contact Carmelite Friar Bro Malvino Alfonso, co-ordinator of the Divine Mercy Promotion to instill this devotion in their parishes/chapels.
A team of Carmelites Friars went to the parishes and highlighted the real meaning of the devotion.
Background of this devotion, ABC of Divine Mercy, Life of Saint Faustina, Explanation of the picture of the Divine Mercy, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mercy of God and our families were some of the themes covered during the process of formation of the groups.
Guidelines were given to the groups to function smoothly. Accordingly, the group will lead this devotion once in the month (or as per the pastoral situation in the parish) in the parish. All the Divine Mercy groups will function as per the direction of their respective parish priests/chaplains. More formation sessions will be held in the parishes as per the request.
