Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao releasing the Pastoral Letter 2023-24 of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, at a function in the Se Cathedral Church at Old Goa.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao on Wednesday inaugurated the Pastoral Year and released the Pastoral Letter 2023-24 of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, during the Feast of Our Lady of Three Necessities and the Moment of Marian Prayer at Se Cathedral-Old Goa on Wednesday.
The theme of the Pastoral Year 2023-2024 is: “You also should do as I have done to you.”
The Moment of Marian Prayer is a special day organised by the Roman Catholic Church all over the world to pray for the Synod of Bishops which will take place in October this year.
Since this month is dedicated to Mary, the Pope invited the Church to pray through the intercession of Mary for the success of the Synod of Bishops.
In his homily during Mass, Fr Randal (SFX) stated that just as Mother Mary opened her heart to the Lord and Humanity, people too need to open their hearts to the needs of people and reach out to others.
He further said, “We need to open our minds to new ways, good suggestions and live a selfless life avoiding unnecessary selfish conflicts, rather living selflessly and fulfilling the mission of Christ.”
Before the final blessing, Cardinal Ferrao released the new Pastoral Letter along with some lay faithful and he also inaugurated the new Pastoral Year.
In his message, Cardinal Ferrao thanked the organisers, especially the convenor of the Synod Committee Fr Simiao Fernandes and his collaborators.
He invited the faithful to reflect on the Pastoral Letter and try to do as Jesus has done. He also thanked all those who prepared the letter, Fr Henry Falcao and his collaborators, Fr Leonardo Pegado (Director of Pastoral Secretariat), Fr Leo Fernandes (Executive Secretary of Pastoral Secretariat) and Fr Myron Barretto (New Age Printers). He also reminded the people to start preparing spiritually for the exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier.
After the Mass, the statue of Our Lady of Three Necessities was taken around the church complex. A large number of devotees from Old Goa and other parts of the State participated in the feast.
Fr Leo informed that the Pastoral Letter will be available at Pastoral Secretariat office in Institute Piedade, Panaji, St Paul’s Panaji and Mapusa and Light House in Margao.
