Team Herald
PANJIM: Eight new priests were ordained for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, at Se Cathedral, Old Goa, by Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificaçao Fernandes on Wednesday.
In a joyous celebration attended by over 100 priests and Lay Faithful, the deacons Slater Alemao from Chinchinim, Valfern Barbosa from Raia, Malcolm Palmer Colaco from Navelim, Sheldon Michael D’Souza from Salvador do Mundo, Benny Fernandes from Siroda, Jason Keith Fernandes from Dona Paula (Caranzalem), Jason Cajetan Travasso from Nagoa, Bardez and Frazer Xavier Vaz from Vasco were ordained as priests and posted in different parishes.
In his homily, the Auxiliary Bishop highlighted the role of a good shepherd.
He emphasised that just as the theme chosen by the Deacons says, “Shepherds unto Jesus, signs of Hope” they have to be shepherds giving hope to the needy, to the dejected, to those ostracised in the society, to the youth who have gone astray and to those who live on the peripheries.
He called upon the newly-ordained priests to have this as their aim, giving hope to all. Secondly he called upon the newly ordained priests to treasure their priesthood as it is a gift from God. In the third place, he urged them to be men of prayer that they may be deeply rooted in Christ. Finally, he advised them to build unity amongst the people and to treat everyone equally.
The newly-ordained Priests will now take charge of their new assignments.
Fr Slater Alemao is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of St Joseph Church, Sao Jose de Areal, Fr Valfern Barbosa is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of St Joseph Church, Usgao, Fr Malcolm Palmer Colaco is appointed as Assistant to the Parish Priest of St John The Baptist Church, Benaulim, Fr Sheldon Michael D’Souza is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of Rosary Church, Fatorda, Fr Benny Fernandes is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of St Anne’s Church, Parra, Fr Jason Keith Fernandes is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of Se Cathedral Church, Old Goa, Fr Jason Cajetan Travasso is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of Our Lady Of Gloria Church, Varca and Fr Frazer Xavier Vaz is appointed Assistant to the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Socorro Church, Carmona.
The Auxiliary Bishop congratulated the newly-ordained priests in the name of the Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao (who is in Rome) and conveyed his best wishes and blessings to them.
Fr Norbert D’Silva was the Master of Ceremony for the ordination whereas Fr Afonso Mendonca took care of the Liturgy. Fr Mathew Rebello led the choir during the Mass.