SANGUEM: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão has appreciated the services and sacrifices of catechists in the archdiocese.
The archbishop was addressing the Diocesan Catechetical Day celebrations at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Vaddem, Sanguem. Others present at the event included CCBI Commission for Catechetics Executive Secretary Fr Dumingo Gonsalves, Dean of Sanguem Deanery Fr Vithal Miranda, Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre (DCC) Fr Romeu Godinho, Fr Conceicao Pinto and other priests from the archdiocese.
In his welcome address, Fr Godinho appreciated and thanked all families who had wholeheartedly welcomed and served the 92 catechists during their weekend stay with them.
On the occasion, the DCC awarded 55 catechists who had volunteered to serve the sick and the suffering during the Covid pandemic. The DCC also felicitated 47 catechists from Sanguem, Canacona, Benaulim, Chinchinim and Quepem deaneries for teaching catechesis in their parish for more than 15 years. They were awarded with a certificate and a memento.
In his message, Archbishop Ferrão said the Christian faith and life is a matter of relationships, as Jesus established relationships with all, especially with the poor, sick and downtrodden.
He commended the Catechists who had participated in the weekend programme and for experiencing new relationships with the families of Vaddem. He also acknowledged and appreciated the services and sacrifices of the 102 catechists.
Catechist Edna Fernandes from Anjuna shared her weekend experience and Monica Mascarenhas from Panchwadi shared her experience as a Covid warrior. The catechists and children from Sanguem Deanery presented a faith sharing programme.
