PANAJI
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated at the Carmelite Monastery, Margao on July 16.
Auxiliary Bishop Bishop Simião Fernandes presided over the Eucharistic celebration held in Konkani in the evening, Fr Joe Rodrigues, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace Church (Margao), Fr Marlon Rodrigues (Superior of the Carmelite Monastery Margao) along with 25 priests concelebrated the Feast Mass.
Delivering a homily on the theme ‘Mary is our model to proclaim the Gospel’, Bishop Simião exhorted the congregation to draw inspiration from Mary as a model for proclaiming the Gospel in daily life.
He emphasised that just as Mary exemplified various roles in her community, so too are we called to embody these virtues today.
“We are called to proclaim the Gospel by deepening our communion with God, engaging actively in the Church’s participatory structures, and advancing the mission entrusted to us at Baptism,” declared the Prelate.
Highlighting Mary’s diverse roles, Bishop Simião illustrated how she proclaimed the Gospel as a responsible parent within her family, a caring neighbour as seen in her visit to Elizabeth, a compassionate presence in society at the wedding in Cana, and a supportive member of the Apostles’ community.
He encouraged the faithful to follow Mary’s example by promoting Gospel values: within families through responsible actions, in neighbourhoods through service to the needy, in society amidst inequalities and differences, and in the Church by active participation in its various structures.
Bishop Simião called on the congregation to emulate Mary’s proclamation of the Gospel, adapting her virtues to their own lives and communities today.
The Bishop also appreciated the Carmelite for their service in the Archdiocese of Goa.
The Carmel Choir conducted by Leena Gomes led the congregation during the liturgy. Fr. Marlon Rodrigues, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery at Margao, expressed gratitude to everyone.
Bishop Simião Fernandes was congratulated by the Carmelites on his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. This visit to the Carmelite Monastery in Margao marked his first since his Episcopal Ordination last month.
