The Diocesan Family Service Centre, Goa organized a ‘Family Day’ celebration on Friday, 19th December 2025 at St. John Paul II Complex, Borda – Margao, in thanksgiving to all those associated with the Centre in various ways and capacities in fostering the vision and mission of the Centre as we are celebrating the 50 years of the establishment of the Diocesan Family Service Centre. At the very beginning, the Director of DFSC, Rev. Fr. Albano Fernandes extended a warm welcome to all the members gathered for the ‘Family Day’ celebration which commenced with the Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m. The main celebrant for the Holy Eucharist was Rev. Fr. Jose Fernandes, MSFS, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Cotto de Fatorpa and the Counsellor at the DFSC. While recalling the teachings from the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation ‘Amoris Lætitia’ of Pope Francis, he stressed on the importance of having families rooted in the Lord. He shared meaningful reflection on the importance of families building healthy and good dreams for the spiritual well-being of the family. He also stressed the need of upholding good moral values in our families, values reflected in the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth.. The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by the Director, Rev. Fr. Albano Fernandes, Fr. Blaise Lobo (Director of DYC, Fr. Roman Rodrigues (Professor at Rosary College, Navelim) and Fr. Jeronimo D’ Silva 9Vice-pricipal of Rosary College, Navelim).
After the Holy Eucharist, a short get-together was organized which comprised of games and spot prizes. This was beautifully coordinated and animated by Rev. Fr. Jeronimo who kept the spirit of the family alive. Every one joyfully and lovingly participated in the games and quizzes. The members expressed their deep sense of appreciation for organizing the ‘Family Day’. Mr. Agnelo Cardozo, who has been serving the Centre for many years, shared his experiences about his journey recalling late Fr. Francisco Caldeira, the then Director of DFSC, under whom he joined the Centre. He recollected with gratitude to God how his association with the Centre helped him and his wife, Augusta Cardozo, to build a healthy marital union and raise his family with the teachings of the Church. Mr. Willy D’Souza, the Assistant Director, DFSC also commended the Director for organizing the ‘Family Day’ remembering how such gatherings in the past were moments of joyful engagements with each other remained as cherished memories in our hearts. He said that ‘we should continue meeting like this every year’. The Director, Rev. Fr. Albano Fernandes, expressed his deep appreciation to all and lauded the services rendered by the various members in their capacities and abilities towards growth of the Diocesan Family Service Centre. As a token of appreciation, each member was given a gift to remember the occasion. The celebration ended with a delicious and homely fellowship meal catered by Maria from Majorda.
