The Stella Maris Church is now the 175th Parish of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
PANAJI
The Stella Maris Chapel at Miramar was solemnly elevated to the status of a Church on Wednesday, marking a historic and grace-filled milestone for the local Catholic community. The Stella Maris Church is now the 175th Parish of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, in the presence of Fr Romeo Monteiro (Chancellor), Fr Francisco Dias (Panjim Deanery Dean), Fr Zeferino D’souza (First Parochial Administrator of Stella Maris Church), Fr Edmund Barretto (Parish Priest of St Inez), Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira (Secretary to the Archbishop of Goa), former Chaplains of Stella Maris Chapel, the clergy, religious, Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji Rohit Monserrate, former mayor Surendra Furtado, guests, and a large gathering of the faithful.
In his homily, Cardinal Ferrão highlighted that a parish is a living church and reminded the faithful that every parish is a privileged environment where the faithful gather to grow in faith, to live the mystery of ecclesial communion and to take part in the churches mission.
The letter erecting the Stella Maris Chapel to the status of a Church was read by Fr Romeo Monteiro and the minutes were signed by Cardinal Ferrão.
This elevation signifies not only the growth of a physical structure but also the deepening of faith, unity, and identity among the people of Miramar and the wider Goan Catholic community.
Speaking on the occasion, Fr Zeferino D’souza, the first Parochial Administrator of the newly erected Parish of Miramar, expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that this milestone is “the fruit of years of unwavering faith, commitment, and the collective efforts of past and present priests of St Inez Church, past chaplains, priest-in-charge, the past and present countless faithful, benefactors, and well-wishers.”
He also acknowledged the guidance and support of Church leadership, clergy, parish council members, Catechists, youth and all those who helped make this long-cherished dream a reality.
The Archbishop congratulated the Parochial Administrator Fr Zeferino D’souza, the parishioners and all previous chaplains for this great milestone of faith and invited the faithful to emulate Mother Mary, Star of the Sea who will guide their journey of faith.
St Inez Parish Priest Fr Edmund Antao also conveyed his congratulatory words and best wishes to the Parishioners of Miramar.
A token of appreciation was given to the previous chaplains of Stella Maris appreciating their dedicated service to the Chapel. A coffee table book consisting messages and past memories of the Chapel was released, commemorating the occasion.
The Past Chaplains who worked in Miramar were Fr Arnaut Pinto - Priest-in-charge (1989); Fr Vasco do Rego - Chaplain (1995); Fr Mousinho Ataíde - Chaplain (1999); Fr Romualdo Robin Rodrigues - Chaplain (2004); Fr Kenneth Teles - Chaplain (2009); Fr Jorge Fernandes - Priest-in-charge (2015); Fr Daniel Pereira - Chaplain (2015), Fr Leslie Rego - Chaplain (2016), Fr Barry Cardozo - Chaplain (2017), Fr Zeferino D’Souza - Chaplain (2021) and Fr Zeferino D’Souza - Parochial Administrator (2026).
