PANAJI
Commending the Caritas Goa for its work over the last six decades, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said the Church would continue to serve society as it is the mandate from Jesus Christ.
Archbishop Ferrao was delivering his presidential address at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Caritas Goa at the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa on January 4.
He thanked the office bearers of Caritas Goa for successfully charting through the journey over the years and also expressed his gratitude to different collaborators, numerous well-wishers and donors for their support.
In his address as chief guest, noted social scientist Prof Anand Kumar, former head of department of social science at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Chairman of Indian Association of Social Sciences, commended the work by Caritas Goa despite the challenges they have had to encounter.
On the occasion, the archbishop also launched the re-designed website of Caritas Goa, while Prof Kumar launched a Kindness Calendar, a perpetual calendar with weekly kindness tasks mentioned on every page.
Besides, the Calendar is enclosed with a seed pen which when the ink in the pen is over, the seeds from the pen have to be sown to grow fruits and vegetables.
Earlier, the programme began with a soulful prayer dance by students of St Bridget’s Institute of Home Nursing, Aldona, praising and thanking the Almighty for the journey of 60 years.
In his welcome address, Director of Caritas Goa Fr Maverick Fernandes said over the sixty years, Caritas Goa enabled several persons with disability to become independent and responsible citizens.
“Some deafblind even became entrepreneurs, HIV infected persons formed their own families and precious lives were saved from being aborted. Adoption enabled childless couples become parents, while employment opportunities were created for young women and men and Caritas Goa served older adults live in their own homes against being placed in aged homes,” said Fr Fernandes.
He added that Caritas Goa educated and skilled those confined in prisons while accompanying their families, supported children who were abandoned, missing, runaways, in need of care and protection on railway platforms or bus stands or in the communities.
“Women were economically and socially empowered through the SHGs and the Sillai schools, person infected with cancer were offered hope through our cancer support network and migrants were recognised as persons with respect having their entitlements.”
“Caritas Goa helped hand-hold local stakeholders in tourism industry, uphold human rights and work for peace and harmony, ensuring availability of government schemes through volunteerism and functioning as a nodal office in times of emergencies and calamities, thereby continuing to touch lives,” he added.
A documentary “A Journey of Love “ Touching Lives” encapsulated 28 different programmes functioning under Caritas Goa.
Fr Freddy Braganca and Fr Walter D’Souza directed a one-act play “Avoronn” (garment) depicting the various service areas of Caritas Goa. Fr Savio Fernandes later proposed the vote of thanks.
