Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao interacts with senior citizens at the Archdiocesan Christmas celebration at the St Francis Xavier Training cum Production Centre in Old Goa.
PANAJI
In a bid to move to the peripheries and celebrate Christmas with different sections of society, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao on December 28 hosted the Archdiocesan Christmas Celebration for older adults residing in some Senior Citizens Homes at a function in the St Francis Xavier Training cum Production Centre in Old Goa.
Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes was also present for the celebration.
The senior citizens were accompanied by their In-charges, assistants and ably supported by the Parish Youth from Carambolim and Ribandar Church.
Earlier, Cardinal Ferrao would host the Christmas Civic Reception for State and Central officials of the government administration. However, since the last two years, he decided to move to the peripheries and host the celebration with different sections of the society.
This year, he decided to have the celebration of the birth of Jesus with the older adults residing in the Senior Citizens Homes.
The seniors in attendance, who ranged from the mid-70’s till 99 years, participated in the Konkani oldies (Adleam Kantaranchi Zannvai) and Konknni riddles (Sang tem Umanne), which was conducted by Fr Savio Fernandes and Sr Petornila. Earlier, after a meaningful prayer service led by Sr Ana D’Mello, Cardinal Ferrao and Bishop Fernandes personally blessed each of the senior citizens.
In his message, Cardinal Ferrao reminded that each one faces troubles on the individual life journeys and encouraged them to pray for God’s grace to overcome the difficulties of life, especially of the old age.
Earlier, Caritas Goa Director Fr Maverick Fernandes, on behalf of the Archbishop welcomed the gathering and Fr Walter D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Tania Couto and Feliza compered the programme.
In 2022, Cardinal Ferrao hosted the Archdiocesan Christmas Celebration by joyfully spending his valuable time in the company of the deafblind children and young adults and their parents.
“It was a moment of excitement for the deafblind children to have the Archbishop amidst them even though they could neither see nor hear him, but the exhilaration was infectious having been prepared them for the event. The children’s parents were in tears as they realised that their children are within the close attention of the Archbishop. The Archdiocese through Caritas Goa serves the community of the deafblind since July 2012,” said Fr Fernandes.
In 2023, in collaboration with Prison Authorities, the Christmas celebration was hosted at the Modern Central Jail, Colvale amid the brothers and sisters in the correction home. “The Archbishop took time to interact with our friends in the correction home (women and men) to share his concern and express solidarity with them. It was a moment of grace for the prisoners to have the presence of His Eminence amidst them for a meaningful Christmas celebration,” Fr Maverick added.
