CANACONA
After a gap of two years, the Catholic community on Saturday celebrated the Feast of St Anne Church at Agonda.
For the first time, neither firecrackers nor the traditional Fozne were fired during the entire nine-day Novena nor on the feast day, in a bid to celebrate a pollution-free and eco-friendly festival.
The Feast Mass was concelebrated by seven priests with Sancoale Parish Priest Fr Kenneth Teles as the main celebrant.
In his homily, Fr Teles called upon the faithful to be a beacon of good deliverance for families, neighbourhood and the world.
“Be concerned about the needs of others just as much you would want others to show their concern towards you,” said Fr Teles.
Agonda Parish Priest Fr Patrick Luis, Assistant Parish Priests Fr Kyriel D'Souza and Fr Darrel Fernandes were among the priests concelebrating the Feast Mass.
Parishioners later took part in a procession on the church ground and later queued up to venerate the patroness of their church.
Stating that no firecrackers or the traditional Fozne were used during the Maddi, Novena and Feast, Fr Patrick Luis said: “Our Agonda Parish has set an example in celebrating this feast in a pollution-free and eco-friendly manner.”
“Likewise, I request all our people not to use firecrackers or traditional Fozne for celebrations at their chapels and Crosses. Let us contribute to make our environment healthy and safe for everyone.”
Later in the night, a Konkani drama 'Pilluk', written and directed by Fr Kyriel D'Souza, with the entire cast being local parishioners, was staged in aide of church activities.
Earlier during each of the Novena days, parishioners of Agonda sought diving blessings through the intercession of St Anne to end the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, with each ward groups walking to the church as a mark of penance to attend the Novena on their respective days.
Parishioners of Agonda parishioners are celebrating their annual feast with traditional fervour after a gap of two years on account of the Covid pandemic.
Elsewhere, parishioners of Loliem, another parish in Canacona deanery, also celebrated the feast of its patron saint on Saturday.
