Other Activities

The 49^th Annual General Body Meeting of Diocesan Family Service Centre, Goa was held on 15^th September 2024 at 4 p.m. in the Panjim office.

Cardinal Ferrao the chairperson of DFSC while addressing the members reminded that each family needs to build their faith on the following three pillars as we prepare spiritually for the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier and the Jubilee Year 2025. The pillars are Prayer, Word of God and Eucharist.

He has also requested each family to read and meditate on the issues raised in the Bull of Indiction (SPES NON CONFUNDIT – HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT…..Rom 5:5) issued by the Holy Father in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025 and be a part of the journey of Faith in rectifying the same.

The 4th world day for grandparents and the elderly was celebrated at Our Lady of Hope Church, Candolim on 28th July 2024 in collaboration with the (DFSC) Diocesan Family Service Centre-Goa. On this great occasion the parish installed their Parish family service cell during the Holy Mass.

The day began with a soulful Eucharistic celebration at 8.30 am attended by a large number of parishioners. Fr. Nelson Rodrigues (SAC) Director of Palloti house Assagao, was the main celebrant , co-celebrated by Fr. Ryan Estibeiro the Parish Priest of our Lady of hope church. The homily by Fr. Nelson gave a deep insight in their callings as grandparents, parents and the grandchildren too, for them to be more loving to each other in the family life. No other day better then this one was to install and make them aware of the importance of Parish Family Service cell in the parish amidst innumerable challenges in the present time. A total of 15 couples young and old took oath on that day. The festivities continued with a cultural programme prepared by the Cathecatical Association of the parish that included raising of toast by a grandchild, welcome song by tiny tots, dance of olden golden goan songs, traditional mando dance, puppet show etc. displaying their love
and affection for their grandparents with a beautiful memories to build and expressing their love for their grandparents.

The indoor hall was adorned with nostalgic décor which included olden days goan traditional vessels, (purument) storage items for rains, breads, kakonn, boll to name it few. Surely our grandparents were mesmerized by it since they remembered their childhood. Snacks were served for all. The event included few spot prizes for the grandparents and individual gifts for them too. Mr. Vernon Fernandes secretary of DFSC graced the occasion with his few words of gratitude on behalf of Fr. Albano Fernandes, Director of DFSC, towards the PP. Fr. Ryan and Asst. PP. Fr. Milagres for their full support to celebrate this Day in the parish. It was a successful day indeed with a great participation of 120 grandparents from the parish. It all ended at 12 noon with everyone departing with a smile on their face.

The Diocesan Family Service Centre in collaboration with St. Anthony Church, Galgibaga celebrated the Family Apostolate Sunday on 5^th November 2023. Fr. Albano Fernandes, Director Family Service centre, Goa was the main celebrant at the Parish mass at 8.00 am which was well attended by the Parishioners. In his homily, he thanked God and appreciated the blessing of having good families in our Archdiocese and stressed upon striving to make every family a Happy, Healthy and Holy family keeping before our eyes the icon of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Reflecting on day’s readings, he said that good values, forgiveness and humility in our families are very essential. After the homily a prayer was made for the families and Holy water was sprinkled on the congregation. Before the final blessings, three families from the parish who had four children were given a certificate of ‘Parental Glory’ for being open to life. Fr. Santana Fernandes, the Parish Priest who concelebrated at the Mass welcomed Fr. Albano Fernandes and thanked him for choosing his Parish to celebrate the Family Apostolate Sunday as they celebrated 200 years of faith journey in the footsteps of St. Anthony. Deacon John Fernandes assisted him at the Eucharist.