Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The annual feast of St Alex, the patron of Calangute village, was celebrated with pomp and gaiety by the parishioners and villagers of other faiths.
Reflecting on the Word of God, the assistant to the director of Subham Jinn Ashram, Agasaim, Fr Kyriel D’Souza said that the weeds and the wheat while growing in the fields look very much alike. “The poisonous weeds are there to destroy the wheat,” he said.
“St Alex is an example of staunch faith,” Fr D’Souza said, and reminded that “the parish priest is working hard to strengthen that faith you have received from your ancestors. But in a society where you all are working, be it in the family or in business, the devil is always at work to destroy the good.”
Fr D’Souza said that when everything works fruitfully among small Christian communities, the devil comes in to destroy the good works. “But drugs, sex trade and every evil will continue to exist in the society. Do not fear the evil,” he said, “Christ who is our King and Master, is always with us. Let the enemies sow the weed, but with Christ we can be victorious.”
Fr D’Souza revealed that St Alex belonged to a rich family filled with riches, but he gave up everything to experience poverty. Focusing on the theme of the day, “Bhag Aleixachea mozotin amchi firgoz bhavarteancho okhonndd zomo korumya,” he said that “by imitating St Alex, we all need to grow in deep faith.”
In his message to his parishioners, Parish Priest Fr Cipriano da Silva said that the villagers of Calangute need to stay united and bear true witness to Christ. “Every year, the parishioners of St Alex church come together to reflect on the life of their patron saint. The reflection helps to consider St Alex as their model and imitate his qualities,” he added.
Fr da Silva informed that people of other faiths visit the church and offer floral tributes and prayers at the statue of St Alex. “During the nine-day novena and on the day of solemnity, communal harmony and oneness of heart are witnessed among the faithful,” he mentioned.
Sindhudurg diocese Bishop Allwyn Baretto was the main celebrant for the festive mass, while Fr Cipriano da Silva and Fr Kyriel D’Souza were the concelebrants.
