Team Herald
SANCOALE: The annual feast of St Joseph Vaz, the son of the soil and Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was celebrated with great pomp and fervour by following all COVID SOPs at Sancoale on Sunday.
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Bishop Allwyn Barreto, who was the main celebrant, was accompanied by Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, Bishop of Agartala, Rev Lumen Monteiro, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, Rev Alex Dias, Parish Priest Fr Kennet Teles, Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary Fr Manuel Dias, Vicar General Fr Jose Remedious Fernandes, Bishop’s Secretary Fr Loiola Perreira and other priests.
Archbishop Ferrao welcomed all those present especially the three Bishops who made time to participate in the celebrations. He expressed his sadness that not many could participate due to COVID restrictions and appreciated the understanding of people by participating in the celebration through online means of communication.
In his homily Bishop Allwyn called upon the faithful to commit themselves wholeheartedly to God and to be ready to make any sacrifices needed to be true disciples of Christ like St Joseph Vaz.
He said, “This can happen only when we have a true encounter and deep experience of Jesus Christ. An encounter that will transform us into better persons, going out to bring goodness into the life of others and enriching the church and community by our selfless and valuable contribution.”
At the end Fr Manuel Dias, Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary thanked Almighty God, Archbishop Ferrao for his guidance and support, Bishops celebrating the Mass, Parish Priest of Sancoale and the parishioners, government officials, ministers, police, local civil authorities, media especially Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media for handling all media and publicity-related work and for providing masses online and all those who put in efforts to make the novenas and feast a success.
Archbishop Ferrao thanked Fr Dias for successfully organising the novenas and feast in collaboration with the parish priest, assistant to the parish priest of Sancoale, parishioners and the government authorities.
