the goan I network
MARGAO
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on Monday exhorted the gathering to take Mother Mary as the model of faith and give witness to the same faith by being generous to the poor and the needy.
He was addressing a gathering after presiding over the Eucharistic celebration at the Carmelite Monastery, Margao, as the Carmelites in Goa celebrated the feast of their patroness Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Earlier while delivering his homily at the feast mass, Fr Teodozio Fernandes said Mother Mary accepted the kingdom of God in her life, thereby becoming a model for people to accept the kingdom of God in their lives.
Elaborating, he stressed on the virtues of service, charity and concern for the other.
“The Apostle took her as their model to make present the Kingdom of God in society and continued the mission of Jesus,” said Fr Fernandes, while appealing to the gathering to take Mother Mary as their model to love and forgive one other and thus contribute to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
Fr Archibald Gonsalves, superior of the Carmelite Monastery at Margao, later spoke on the occasion.
The nine-day novena in preparation of the feast were preached by Fr Savio Fernandes (Executive Secretary, Council of Social Justice and Peace), Fr Ashley Alphonso (Spiritual Director of Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol), Fr Agnelo Pinheiro (Professor of Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol), Fr Edson Fernandes (Parish Priest of Nagoa Church), Fr Tomas Lobo (Parish Priest of Grace Church, Margao), Fr Milchester Furtado ofm Cap. (Padr Pio Friary, Modi-Navelim) and Fr Socorro Rebelo (Asstt. to the Parish Priest of St Joseph Church, Sao Jose
de Areal).
Elsewhere in the State, Fr Anthony D’Souza, a Carmelite friar delivering a homily at the Cloistered Carmel Monastery, Chicalim appealed to the congregation to depend totally on God to proclaim His Good News especially to the poor.
Referring to the Pastoral Letter (2018-19), Fr Anthony depicted the real situation where the poor suffer because of wastage and accumulation of things.
Fr Walter Rodrigues, Superior of Dominican Training Centre, Moira was the main celebrant for the festal mass at the Carmelite Seminary Mapusa.
He depicted the virtues of Mother Mary and appealed the faithful to imbibe them.
The Carmelite community at Xellim-Loliem also celebrated the feast at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel Xellim. The Chaplain Fr Praveen Pinto presided over the Eucharistic celebration and Fr Teodozio Fernandes preached the homily.
