Photos by Joseph Fernandes
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Catechetical Association of St Thomas Church, Aldona, hosted a spiritual concert on Bhorvanxeachim Yatrekaram (Pilgrims of Hope) at the Kala Academy, Panaji, on Tuesday, to help children grow in faith while showcasing their hidden talents.
The programme was presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, while Auxiliary Bishop Simão Fernandes was the guest of honour. The special invitees included Fr Henry Falcão, Episcopal Vicar for Central Zone, Fr Marcelin Rodrigues, Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, and Fr Mario Leitão, Dean of Aldona Deanery.
Speaking on the occasion, Archbishop Ferrão exhorted the gathering to deepen their relationship with Jesus and become Pilgrims of Hope. Other guests included Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, priests, nuns, and various other attendees.
“This Spiritual Concert is being held in celebration of the Jubilee Year. The Church marks the Jubilee every 25 years. Last year, Pope Francis issued a Bull of Indiction ‘Spes non confudit’ (Hope Does Not Disappoint Us), emphasising that the Jubilee should be a time of personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ of our salvation, whom the Church is called to proclaim to all as our hope,” said Cardinal Ferrão, who is also President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).
Cardinal Ferrão reflected on the lives and missions of St Thomas the Apostle, Patron of Aldona Parish, St Francis Xavier, and St Teresa of Kolkata. He urged the gathering to follow their example and become Pilgrims of Hope.
He commended the Parish Priest Fr Tomas Lobo, the Assistant Parish Priests, the Catechists, Catechism students, parents, and all the parishioners for organising the meaningful spiritual concert.
The concert began with a prayer dance based on the theme. The programme featured a variety of spiritual and Biblical presentations, including songs, dances, enactments, and performances that unfolded into beautiful spiritual scenes. These were performed by the Sunday School children, the Parish Choir, and the children's choir, ‘Sweet Voices of St Thomas’, accompanied by live music. It was conducted by Fr Tomas Lobo.
During the event, Cardinal Ferrão also released a souvenir that served as a meaningful memento, symbolising the spiritual journey and collective effort of the community in organising the concert.
The programme was narrated by Euan Ferrão, Aileen Vaz, Rosh D'Cruz, and Emmanuela Colaco. Sandhya Fernandes, Catechetical Animator of Aldona Parish, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering and later expressed gratitude to all. The Spiritual Concert was graced by the presence of Carlos Ferreira, MLA of Aldona constituency, along with priests, nuns, and various other attendees.
The event was organised under the leadership of Fr Tomas Lobo, Parish Priest of St Thomas Church, Aldona, who is also the Episcopal Vicar for the North Zone. Fr Agnelo Simoes, Assistant to the Parish Priest of Aldona, along with the catechists, parents, and parishioners of Aldona, provided valuable support.
