Stella Maris Chapel, Miramar, was sol emnly elevated to the status of a Church on Wednesday April 15, marking a historic and grace-filled milestone for the local Catholic com munity. The Eucharistic cele bration was presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, in the presence of the Fr Romeo Monteiro, Chancellor, Fr Francisco Dias, Panjim deanery Dean, Fr Zeferino D’Souza the First parochi al Administrator of Stella Maris Church, Fr Edmund Barretto, Parish Priest of St Inez, Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Secretary to the Archbishop of Goa, the former Chaplains of Stella Maris Chapel, the clergy, re ligious, Rohit Monserrate, Panjim Mayor, Surendra Furtado, ex-mayor, guests, and a large gathering of the faithful, states a press release issued by Diocesan Centre for Social Communi cations Media. In his homily the Arch bishop highlighted that a parish is a living Church and reminded the faithful that every parish is a priv ileged environment where the faithful gather to grow in faith, to live the mystery of ecclesial communion and to take part in the churches mission. “We need to nourish our faith through community prayer, all sacraments spe cially the Holy Eucharist. Secondly, we are called to live in fellowship of love, care, mercy, forgiveness in our families and commu nity as a whole, finally that we share in the mission of Jesus to be witnesses of His love, peace and channels of forgiveness,” he said. He said, “We need to be witnesses of Jesus, rooted in faith, growing in fellow ship and spreading God’s Love.” What began as a humble chapel under St Inez Parish has, over the years, grown into a vibrant and faith filled community.
Today, Stella Maris Church, the 175th Parish of the Arch diocese of Goa and Daman, stands as a testament to un wavering faith, silent sac rifices, and the dedicated service of chaplains, parish leaders, and parishioners. The past chaplains who worked in Miramar were: 1989 – Fr. Arnaut Pinto (Priest-in-charge), 1995 – Fr Vasco do Rego (Chap lain) , 1999 – Fr Mousinho Ataíde (Chaplain), 2004 – Fr Romualdo Robin Rodrigues (Chaplain), 2009 – Fr Ken neth Barretto Teles (Chap lain), 2015 – Fr Jorge Fer nandes (Priest-in-charge), 2015 – Fr Daniel Agnelo Pereira (Chaplain), 2016 – Fr Leslie Bosco Rego (Chaplain), 2017 – Fr Barry Cardozo (Chaplain), 2021 – Fr Zefe rino D’Souza (Chaplain) and 2026 -Fr Zeferino D’Souza (Parochial Administrator).
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The letter was read by Fr Romeo Monteiro and the minutes were signed by the Archbishop. This eleva tion signifies not only the growth of a physical struc ture but also the deepening of faith, unity, and identity among the people of Mira mar and the wider Goan Catholic community. Fr Zeferino, the first Pa rochial Administrator of the newly erected Parish of Miramar, said, “This mile stone is “the fruit of years of unwavering faith, com mitment, and the collective efforts of past and present priests of St Inez Church, past chaplains, priest-in charge, the past and pres ent countless faithful, ben efactors, and well-wishers.” He acknowledged the guid ance and support of Church leadership, clergy, parish council members, Catechists, youth and all those who helped make this long-cher ished dream a reality. The Archbishop con gratulated Fr Zeferino, the parishioners and all previ ous chaplains for this great milestone of faith and invit ed the faithful to emulate Mother Mary, Star of the Sea who will guide their journey of faith. Fr Edmund Antao conveyed his best wishes to the parishioners of Miramar. A token of appreciation was given to the previous chaplains of Stella Maris appreciating their dedicat ed service to the Chapel. A coffee table book con sisting messages and past memories of the Chapel was released. As Stella Maris Church be gins the new chapter, guided by Our Lady Stella Maris, it is envisioned as a beacon of prayer, peace, and service, continuing to guide genera tions in faith and love.
