By Francis S. Barreto
Preparations
for this Mini Marian Congress at St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old
Goa on 29th July 2016, began some months ago with a meeting with
Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao and Rev. Jose Remedios Fernandes, the
Vicar General. Letters were sent to all the priests and nuns in Goa, Karwar and
Sindhudurg. Some of us also personally visited several parishes to emphasize
the invitation. About 500 people attended including 76 priests, 265 nuns and
over 100 lay.
On
the 29th invitees started pouring in as early as 8:00 am and the
Retreat hall was packed to capacity by 9:15 am. A free book “Our Lady Is
Calling You! Will You Not Respond?” was given freely to all the official
participants. Archbishop Patriarch His Grace Filipe Neri Ferrao was welcomed
with a bouquet by Coordinator Francis S. Barreto accompanied by the choir
singing beautifully “Mogall Guru”. Simultaneously Mr. Barreto also welcomed His
Excellency Derek Fernandes Bishop of Karwar and His Excellency Alwyn Barreto
Bishop of Sindhudurg. The fourth Bishop, our National Ecclesiastical Advisor His
Excellency Peter Machado, the Bishop of Belgaum arrived a little late due to
the problems on the Karnataka side because of the Madhei River water sharing
agitation.
At
9:00 am Dr. Celcio Dias Vice Chairman welcomed the gathering and the programme
began with the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary led by
Agnelo D’Souza and Celine D’Souza, who also beautifully led the half an hour of
Fatima Reparatory Adoration at 10:00 am.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass began at 10:30 am with Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao as the Main Celebrant. With him on the Altar were 3 Bishops and 5 priests (Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, Fr. Avinash Rebelo, Fr. Polly Lobo, Fr. Leonardo Pegado and Fr. Sunny Varkey, Chairman WAF National Board of Bengal). Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao speaking in Konkani and English spoke in his usual style of the devotion to Mary and her role in the Church.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass began at 10:30 am with Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao as the Main Celebrant. With him on the Altar were 3 Bishops and 5 priests (Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, Fr. Avinash Rebelo, Fr. Polly Lobo, Fr. Leonardo Pegado and Fr. Sunny Varkey, Chairman WAF National Board of Bengal). Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao speaking in Konkani and English spoke in his usual style of the devotion to Mary and her role in the Church.
At
the end of the Mass all the Bishops joined Rev. Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, Rev. Fr.
Avinash Rebelo, Dr. Celcio Dias and Francis Barreto in cutting the cake marking
the symbolic opening of the Fatima Apparitions Centenary Year celebrations which
will actually begin from the start of Advent 2016 (27th November
2016) to the end of Liturgical Calendar 2018 (27th November 2017).
At
11:30 am a short tea break was taken and the service began again at 12:00 noon
with a special hymn to St. Joseph Vaz. The hymn “Zuze Vaza, Amchea Bhava” was
sung in voices and we express our gratitude to a great friend of our Apostolate
Rev. Fr. Loiola Pereira who trained the choir for this hymn with a lot of
trouble and sacrifice of his time.
The
first Power Point Presentation of the day was on the Narrative of Fatima by
Rev. Fr. Peter da Gama, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church Duller and a
close associate of the World Apostolate of Fatima. His presentation was
followed by the singing of the WAF International Hymn by the choir.
The
next Power Point Presentation was on the First Saturdays and the Message of
Fatima by His Excellency Peter Machado Bishop of Belgaum and the National
Ecclesiastical Advisor of the WAF. He was assisted by Dr. Celcio Dias Vice
Chairman of the WAF. Focus was on the pleas of Our Lady: Communion of
Reparation of the First Saturdays, frequent Reparatory Adorations, regular
Consecration, etc.
The
third presentation of the day was on Divine Mercy by Rev. Fr. Archibaldo
Gonsalves OCD. He mentioned that he has free images and Divine mercy novenas
for distribution. At the end of his presentation the choir sang “Kakutichea
Deva”.
We
are very grateful to God and our Blessed Mother for a very successful Marian
Congress which was appreciated by all. We are very grateful to His Grace
Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao for always supporting and guiding us.
We are grateful to Rev. Fr. Henry Falcao the Director of the St. Joseph Vaz
Spiritual Renewal Centre for his assistance. We are also grateful to our choir
consisting of Eutemia Fernandes, Ludmilla Mehrotra, Sylvia Monteiro, Santan
Fernandes, Deolinda Fernandes, Karan Mehrotra, Komal Mehrotra and Reuben which
graced the day and made it more meaningful. We are also grateful to Lester
D’Mello and his team for the beautiful decor in the hall.
Grateful also to
Diksha Gaonkar for managing the bookshop single handedly with a little help
from Agnelo D’Souza. Grateful also to Julius Fernandes and Lester Rodrigues for
ably handling the registration at the entrance of the hall. Last but not least
we are grateful to all the 4 Bishops, around 76 priests, around 265 nuns and
the various lay people who attended the Marian Congress. May Our Lord and His
Blessed Mother bless you all abundantly.
At
the end of the programme several priests, nuns and lay approached us to tell us
how much they appreciated the well organized Mini Marian Congress. A few sent
their comments on whatsapp. Some of them are reported here below:
1. Hats
off to you for the wonderful organization of Marian Congress at Old Goa
yesterday. Priests and lay people that I met appreciated the event. Even Fr.
Conceicao was all praise for you. Great! Very happy for you.
Celso Fernandes – Moderator – St. Michael
Church Taleigao
2. “Excellent
and well organized programme. Our school here with almost 1000 students did the
Fatima Reparatory Adoration for 1 hour similar to one done on 29th
July. God bless you all and thanks.
Bethany Sisters – St.
Jose de Areal
3. CONGRATULATIONS....
to Goa WAF Unit. Well done... my spirit was on the top of the world while
participating. Praise God. Praise Mother Mary... Good gathering of almost
500... and 4 Bishops... Well done Francis, Dr. Celcio, Lester, Julius and the
whole WAF members... Our Lady is with you... God bless you. Praying for you...
Just reached home. Successful Mini Marian Congress. Good
Fr. Alphy D’Silva –
Molkod – Karwar
4. Congratulations!
Fr. Godwin Pereira –
Sindhudurg
5. Dear
WAF Goa: Yesterday I attended the Mini Marian
Congress. Congratulations! It was well organized. You and your team have taken
a lot of trouble. May God bless you and grant you all the graces and blessings
to carry on the good work you are doing.
Sr. Theresa Jacob AC –
Superior – Fatima Convent High School Margao
6. Thank
you WAF Goa for everything. It was a great joy being with you and to witness
the wonderful programme. May Our Blessed Mother bless you and your families and
our Apostolate.
Fr. Sunny Varkey – Raiganj West Bengal
7. Congratulations!
Very prayerful and well planned Fatima Mini Marian Congress Centenary
Celebrations. May Mother Mary intercede for us.
Christian Brother
Charles D’Souza – Chicalim
8. Congrats
for the well running of the Mini Congress. God bless you and all the office
bearers.
Fr. Loddy Pires SDB –
Don Bosco Panjim
9. Well
done and beautifully organized.
Bishop Peter Machado –
Bishop of Belgaum
10. The
main thing I liked was, the Marian Congress started giving fruits which should
be the yardstick of judging. Fr. John from Dicarpale wants us to give talk in
August. Fr. Derick from Saligao Seminary wants us to give a presentation in
May.
Lester Rodrigues –
Aldona
11. Very
Well organised and enlightening 29 July Congress. All the best! Next year 2017
is also 40 years of the Diocese, will combine Fatima Centenary and this with Fr
Alphy.......
Bishop
Derek Fernandes, Karwar
12. Very
well organised Marian Congress, will try to spread in the Parish through the
Parish priest the Fatima and Divine Mercy devotions.
Missionaries
of Charity (Mother Teresa) Sr of Cotto Fatorpa, Our Lady of Fatima Parish
SPRITUAL
FRUITS BEING BORNE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.....Please pray!
