Built like a modern auditorium with unique design, church can accommodate over 1,400 devotees
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao and Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias SFX inaugurated the new Jesus Mary Joseph Church.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
PANAJI
The new Jesus Mary Joseph Church at Nuvem was inaugurated by Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao and Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias SFX at a solemn ceremony on Saturday.
The inauguration was marked by a Eucharistic Celebration and blessings.
Among those who concelebrated at the Eucharistic Celebration included Parish Priest Fr Victor Rodrigues, Fr Romeo Monteiro (Chancellor), Fr Lucio Dias (Episcopal Vicar), Fr Candido Fernandes (Dean of Verna Deanery), Fr Adrian Furtado (Betalbatim Parish Priest) and a number of priests.
Fr Afonso Mendonca (Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy) was the master of ceremonies, while Fr Nelson Sequeira (Director of the Good Shepherd Institute at Rachol) explained the various parts of the rite of blessing a new church. A large number of parishioners participated in the services.
Speaking on the occasion, Fr Victor expressed happiness over reaching an important milestone and narrated how the parish priests and parishioners endured all obstacles and challenges.
The parish priest presented an elaborate and a passionate vote of thanks to all those who have helped during the construction process, including the priests who were involved in the work of the church.
Cardinal Ferrao, in his brief message towards the end of the ceremony, complimented the parishioners and all those involved for the sacrifices and work put up in accomplishing the work of the Church.
Cardinal Ferrao, while concluding a message of new hope, wished everyone a Holy Family Feast.
Congratulatory messages poured in thick and fast after the inauguration of the new church.
The church with its unique architectural design resembling ‘Noah’s Arch’ stands tall adjacent to the old Jesus Mary Joseph church, a 328-year-old heritage monument.
The new church is spacious and can accommodate over 1,400 devotees and has a seating arrangement designed on the lines of a modern auditorium.
Fr Victor disclosed that the old church will now be converted into an adoration centre after necessary restoration work and will be open to devotees soon. He mentioned that the construction of the new building was a long journey and everyone who contributed towards the materialisation of the long-cherished dream of the Nuvemkars, should be thanked.
Fr Victor extended his thanks to all the parishioners, priests, architects, engineers, carpenters, local gram panchayat, political leaders, police and all who have contributed to the making of the new church. He also announced that he would be handing out a ‘Golden book’ that holds the details of the expenditure and accounts of every rupee spent on the construction and other expenses.
The architects were felicitated on the occasion, and the contractor, late Somnath Naik, was felicitated posthumous. His family received a memento on his behalf.
