Archbishop appeals to congregations to reach out to needy

Call for unity to meet challenges faced in education

THE GOAN NETWORK

OLD GOA

Archbishop of Goa and Daman Felipe Neri Ferrão has appealed to various religious congregations in the Church of Goa to put into service the rich charism that God had endowed them with, while reaching out to the needy specially in this Year of Mercy.

Archbishop Ferrão was interacting with 54 Major Superiors of congregations working in the Archdiocese of Goa and other church leaders at a recent two-day meeting to deliberate on various issues in the archdiocese.

While thanking them for their contribution in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Archbishop Ferrão pointed out several areas where the religious are collaborating to forward the pastoral plan of the Archdiocese.

Those attending the meeting at Cruz dos Milagres, St Joseph Vaz Renewal Centre, Old Goa included Vicar General Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes, episcopal vicars, Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat, directors of various diocesan bodies, few deans and 54 Major Superiors of congregations working in the Archdiocese.

The gathering of church leaders deliberated on the pastoral theme of family and also took a look at the year of mercy planned in the Archdiocese. Fr Kenneth Teles explained what more could be done to help families and encouraged pastoral visits of the families.

Fr Socorro Mendes outlined the plan for celebrating the year of mercy and encouraged the church leaders to walk through the door of God’s mercy by way of participating in the sacrament of reconciliation, pilgrimages to the churches marked for the purpose, and to perform corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.

During a session on education, Sr Flavia and Fr Peter of the Archdiocesan Board of Education emphasised the need to stay united to meet the real challenges faced in education.

Faith formation, value-based education, becoming person of compassion, were some points stressed during the session, which was conducted by Fr Ian Figuiredo.

Matters concerning the conference of religious was dealt by Fr Paul Alvares. The major superiors were able to get a glimpse of the involvement of the religious in the activities of the diocese. Fr Paul also pointed out the various areas of collaboration undertaken in the diocesan pastoral plan and the session was moderated by Fr Galdino Monteiro.

Fr Savio Fernandes, secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) addressed the gathering on the various social issues plaguing the State.

He said the religious were involved in a lot of social work in the archdiocese and that, they were in a better position to handle these issues. He added that the prison ministry, work among the migrants, domestic workers, human trafficking, were some areas being addressed by the religious. Fr Rosario Rocha moderated the session.