DESK, 8 photos with file names: Celebrations 1 to 8 are sent along with this file
Photo caption for Celebrations 2: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao delivering his homily at the closing cermony of the quadri-centennial of the Regina Martyrum Church, Assolna on Sunday, For Celebrations 1: A section of the faithful in attendance at the celebrations
For Celebrations 8: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao seen releasing a souvenir on the occasion of Quadri-centennial of Regina Martyrum Church, Assolna, Salcete
Santosh Mirajkar
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Archbishop brings down curtain on quadricentennial of Regina Martyrum Church, Assolna
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao's homily at the closing ceremony of the quadricentennial of the Regina Martyrum Church, Assolna, laid stress on faith, even as he called on the faithful to remember all those who have been a part of this parish.
Marking the end of the year-long celebrations, the Archbishop, in his homily delivered at the church on Sunday, said this occasion is a God-given opportunity to look at the past and live happily with the present as well as look towards to the future with hope.
“A parish church is a place where the community of the faithful meets Jesus in Word and in Sacrament, so as to be sent to renew the earth, continually. This has been taking place in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Matryrs everyday, for the last four hundred years. On this centennial day, let us remember all those who have been part of this parish: clergy, religious and laity. They have left to us the great heritage of the Catholic faith that we profess today,” he said in his message.
He raised a heartfelt prayer that these celebrations may help this parish to grow into an ideal Christian community of faith and of action, where the Gospel is proclaimed and celebrated in daily life, particularly in the generous service of the needy.
“May the Queen of Martyrs hold every one of her parishioners under her mantle and help them to give a shining witness (martyrium) of their faith in their day-to-day life,” said the Archbishop in his message.
Earlier, the Archbishop was taken to the church accompanied by a motorcade and a motorcycle rally from the entry of Assolna village to the venue.
The Episcopal Vicar, South Goa, Fr Lucio Dias, read out the message sent by the Pope. It read as follows: “The Holy Father Francis cordially imparts the requested apostolic blessing to Parish Priest Fr Sertorio Rodrigues, priest collaborators and all the parishioners of Our Lady of Regina Martyrum, Assolna, Goa on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the parish church invoking through the intercession of the Virgin Mary an abundance of divine graces.”
On this occasiom, the Archbishop also released a souvenir.
Many priests from the village were also felicitated by the Archbishop. Later, a power point presentation of the programmes held throughout the year to mark the quadricentennial was also shown to the gathered faithful.
