The priests while celebrating the Feast Mass at the Aldona Church on Saturday.
MAPUSA
The feast of St Thomas, patron of the parish, was celebrated in Aldona on Saturday.
Fr Simiao Fernandes, Director of Pastoral Institute at Old Goa, was the main celebrant at the Feast Mass, which was celebrated amid strict SOPs and protocols on account of a rise in Covid cases in the State.
Other priests concelebrating at the Feast Mass were Aldona Parish Priest Fr Tomas Lobo, Fr Michael Fernandes, Fr Luciano Fernandes, Fr Simiao Fernandes and Fr Jerard Sahayaraj.
Only a few parishioners who had a role to play in the liturgy of the Mass were present, while parishioners and others participated in the Eucharistic celebration via live-streaming facilitated through the church YouTube channel.
In his homily on the theme, “Bhagevont Tomeche dekhin, Jezuche govai zaum-ia” (By following St Thomas, Let us be witnesses of Jesus), Fr Fernandes elucidated on how St Thomas the Apostle having experienced the risen Jesus, became a zealous witness of Jesus and devoted his life to proclaiming the Good News through word and life.
Aldona Parish Priest Fr Tomas Lobo thanked all those who contributed towards a meaningful celebration of the Novena and the feast.
“The feast of St Thomas, patron of Aldona, usually draws large crowds from in and around the picturesque village of Aldona. This year however, the usual fervour of the faithful during this traditional feast was certainly missing due to SOPs followed in the Aldona church on account of the steep rise in Covid cases in the state,” said Fr Tomas Lobo.
“Last year too, the St Thomas feast was celebrated within closed doors due to the lockdown,” he added.
