OLD GOA
Archbishop Ferrão was delivering the homily at the Ordination ceremony of nine diocesan deacons on the theme “Called to be sent” at the Sé Catedral in Old Goa on Wednesday.
Archbishop Ferrão presided over the Eucharistic celebration along with Canon Saturnino Dias (President of Cathedral Chapter), Fr Joseph Salemma, (Director of Pastoral Institute St Pius X, Old Goa), Fr Aleixo Menezes (Rector at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol), Fr Tony Salema (Rector at the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne), Fr Alfred Vaz (Parish Priest at Sé Catedral), Fr Remedios Fernandes (Vicar General) and 107 priests as concelebrants.
The newly ordained priests are Mario Noronha (Borda, Margao), Soccoro Rebelo (Chinchinnim), Hasten Fernandes (Velim), Linferd Fernandes (Siolim), Savio D’Silva (Sao Jose de Areal), Myron Jeson Barreto (Sadolxem), Rony Fernandes (Cortalim), Richard Rodrigues (Arambol) and Roman Rodrigues (Arambol).
He appealed to the newly ordained priests to be with Jesus and make him the centre of their lives.
“Prayer (specially personal prayer), word of God, breviary, celebration of the sacraments with focus on the Eucharist and silence can help us to attain this,” Archbishop Ferrão said.
“A priest is sent to continue the mission of Jesus by proclaiming the word of God wisely with enthusiasm. This can be done through sermons, catechism, visiting the families and overall through exemplary life.”
Reminding priests about the celebration of the mystery of faith with devotion, which also forms part of the priest’s mission, Archbishop Ferrão stressed on the celebration of sacrament effectively, so that a priest is able to show the mercy of God to the faithful through their lives.
“A priest is also sent to continue the service of Jesus to the humanity at large,” said Archbishop Ferrão, adding that this could be accomplished by accepting people as a gift of God.
He also appealed to the packed congregation to pray for the priests, understand them and to correct them when they go wrong, as this becomes the responsibility of the faithful.
Newly ordained priest Fr Myron Barreto expressed sentiments of gratitude. Fr Saturnino Colaco was the liturgical animator, while Fr Freddy Lobo made the liturgical arrangements.
The Santa Cecilia Choir of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol under the leadership of Fr Simon D’Cunha led the congregation in the hymns.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony, the archbishop congratulated and welcomed the newly ordained priests into the priestly fraternity. He also lauded the efforts of the parents for nurturing the vocation of their sons to priesthood and thanked them.
