Pastor Speaks
My Dear Parishioners,
Greetings to all of you. The New year that began on January 1, 2023, has given us new hope and an assurance that the Lord has new plans for each one of us this year. With each passing day, He will be unfolding His plans. Let us not be worried about what will happen rather, like Mary let us allow ourselves to be guided by His divine plans. The feast of lnfant Jesus was celebrated with great fervour on January 19, 2023, giving us a chance to reflect on the Infancy of Jesus our Savior. We had the privilege of welcoming the newly ordained priest, Fr. Nikesh D’Souza, and his colleagues to our parish on February 21st, and were able to witness their first Mass. Fr. Nikesh will continue his priestly ministry in our parish. I wish him all the best and let us keep him in our precious prayers.
My Dear Parishioners,
Greetings to all of you. The New year that began on January 1, 2023, has given us new hope and an assurance that the Lord has new plans for each one of us this year. With each passing day, He will be unfolding His plans.
Let us not be worried about what will happen rather, like Mary let us allow ourselves to be guided by His divine plans. The feast of lnfant Jesus was celebrated with great fervour on January 19, 2023, giving us a chance to reflect on the Infancy of Jesus our Savior. We had the privilege of welcoming the newly ordained priest, Fr. Nikesh D’Souza, and his colleagues to our parish on February 21st, and were able to witness their first Mass. Fr. Nikesh will continue his priestly ministry in our parish. I wish him all the best and let us keep him in our precious prayers.
On February 22nd, we entered into the holy season of Lent by receiving ashes on our foreheads, symbolizing our mortality with the reminder that we came from dust and will ultimately return to it. During the season of lent the word of God has called upon us for conversion of heart and not to be carried away by external changes. The three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving should lead us to this inner conversion. The Lenten retreats in different languages were an added aid in this regard. The 40-hour Adoration in the Holy week will be a great opportunity to ‘Taste and See’ and experience the presence of the Lord. Every individual and community will get an opportunity to be with the Lord.
It gave me great joy to see 162 candidates receive confirmation on February 25th by Rev. Bishop Dominic Savio. Through confirmation, they have become the soldiers of Christ and are called upon to stand for their faith and the church. I appreciate the great commitment of our catechists who prepared them for this sacrament. On March 12th, we concluded this year’s Sunday school of all the sections, I take this opportunity to thank and appreciate all the efforts of our Sunday school catechists. We also had a parish-level Bible Quiz final on March 12th, which showcased the knowledge, and understanding of the Word of God in all the participants who made it to the final round, and I congratulate them especially the winners for their zeal and enthusiasm.
I am also grateful to the organizing committee who worked throughout the year in planning for this Quiz. As the 3 years term (with an extra year due to Covid-19) of the present PPC was coming to an end we started he election of new members in all the communities. I take this honour to thank the outgoing PPC members, heads and Assistant heads of cells and associations for their relentless service including Mr. Dominic Fernandes (Vice-president), Mr. Francis Vaz (Parish SCC Coordinator) and Mr. Johnson Saldanha (head of PCOA). I also extend a warm welcome to the new office bearers and wish them all the best as they take on the new responsibilities and remind them that it is a vocation and servant leadership after the example of Christ.
As we are about to celebrate Easter on April 9th, I wish each one of you the blessings of the Risen Lord. May He fill you with His love, joy and peace. Along with my Parish Team and Religious Sisters, I wish you all a Happy Easter.
God Bless you all
Fr. Melvin D’Cunha, OCD
Parish Priest