SANCOALE
Stating that St Joseph Vaz, a son of the soil, had sacrificed his life and enthusiastically proclaimed Jesus as a missionary, Bishop of Sindhudurg Alwyn Barretto on Sunday called upon the faithful to commit themselves wholeheartedly to God and to be ready to make any sacrifices needed to be true disciples of Christ like St Joseph Vaz.
“This can happen only when we have a true encounter and deep experience of Jesus Christ. An encounter that will transform us into better persons, going out to bring goodness into the life of others and enriching the church and community by our selfless and valuable contribution,” said Bishop Barretto.
Bishop Barretto was delivering his homily at the Solemn Feast Mass of St Joseph Vaz, Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, at the site of the old Church of Our Lady of Health in Sancoale.
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrão, Bishop of Agartala Lumen Monteiro, Bishop-Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias, Vicar General Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes, Chancellor Fr Romeo Monteiro, Sancoale Parish Priest Fr Kenneth Teles, Rector of the Sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz Fr Manuel Dias, Episcopal Vicar (South Zone) Fr Lucio Dias and other priests concelebrated at the Feast Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Barretto recalled the holy, simple life and mission of St Joseph Vaz in South Canara and Ceylon.
Later in his message to the media, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão said St Joseph Vaz had a deep personal experience of Jesus and empowered by this experience, he was a tireless witness of the Gospel here in Goa, in neighbouring Canara and in Sri Lanka.
“May the inspiring example of his life lead all of us, especially members of the Church in Goa, to strive to have a personal experience of Jesus,” Archbishop Ferrão said.
He expressed his sadness that many could not participate due to Covid restrictions and appreciated the people for participating in the celebration through online Masses, which were live-streamed on the archdiocesan website, the CCRTV and other TV channels.
Sancoale Parish Priest Fr Kenneth Teles told reporters they had made elaborate preparations and arrangements for the Novena and Feast of St Joseph Vaz, but they had to face many difficulties due to a surge in Covid cases.
“But God through the intercession of St Joseph Vaz helped us to celebrate this feast. We had made arrangement for 2,000 faithful to participate, but due to Covid restrictions, we had to adhere to the government restrictions to only 100 people, taking care of the health of the faithful,” Fr Teles added.
Fr Manuel Dias thanked various authorities and people for their collaboration and support during the Novena and Feast of St Joseph Vaz.
Other Masses on the Feast Day were celebrated by Fr Joaquim Fernandes SVD (Rector of SVD Seminary, Raia), Fr Xavier Braganza (Parish Priest at Desterro-Vasco), Fr Simon Diniz (Parish Priest at Cortalim), Fr Deniz Fernandes (Episcopal Vicar for North Zone and Parish Priest of Mapusa), Fr Seby Mascarenhas (Superior General of the Society of Pilar) and Fr Donato Rodrigues (Rachol Seminary).
