Bicentenary celebrations end
New ‘Confraria’ members inducted
E NORONHA RODRIGUES
The feast of St Tome Chapel, Panjim is being celebrated today (Sunday, February 16).
As part of the programme of the bicentenary celebrations, a special religious ceremony to induct about 30 new members to the ‘Confraria’ was performed on Friday, which was presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao.
The admission of new ‘Confrades’ was done after more than 40 years.
Earlier, the ‘Confraria’ was managed by ‘Confrades’of the church and other members and now, with these new members, the position will be regularized. This has been possible due to the efforts of Fr Francisco Caldeira, in-charge of the chapel, the ‘Confraria’ president Jessie Abreu, Lilia Silva Menezes and others.
Confraria is the main body that helps in the running of the church or chapel. Remembering the chaplains
In today’s feast Mass, the past chaplains who worked in close collaboration with the ward members will be remembered for their work. These include Fr Amaro P Lobo, Fr Gilberto Ribeiro, Fr Martinho Fernandes, Fr Alinio S Lobo along with Fr Oscar Quadros ~ the present Director of Clergy Home.
With special reference to Fr Amaro, who is remembered for his efforts in the formation of ward youth, was also an excellent writer and social worker. During his tenure, he would gather the primary school students after mass on Sundays and Thursdays (an additional holiday in those days) and would teach them how to serve at the mass. One of the students of that group, who still remembers Fr Amaro and praises his efforts is Alfredo Lobato Faria, who is presently enjoying his retired life in his mansion at St Tome Road.
As a writer, Fr Amaro had many publications to his credit which include ‘History of the Fathers of Pilar’ and as a social worker he succeeded in creating at Birondem, an organization to look after the poor and destitute women known as ‘Obra de Protecao a’s Mulheres.’
With today’s feast Mass, the year-long bicentenary celebrations draw to a close. The celebrations were monitored by architect Neville Monteiro, under the guidance of the priest in charge.
