Loliem: Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão ordained Carmelite deacon Julius Gonsalves as priest at the Eucharistic celebration held at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Xellim.
“Jesus prayed before choosing his apostles and sent them to continue his mission in the world. Today, he is sending each one of us to continue his mission of witnessing to his kingdom,” said Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão. The Archbishop was delivering a homily at the Eucharistic celebration.
Fr. Charles Serrão, Provincial of the Karnataka-Goa province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Romeo D’silva, SFX, Dean of Canacona deanery, Fr. John Sequeira, Superior of Divine Springs Retreat Centre Xellim, Fr. Praveen Pinto, Chaplain of Our Lady of Fatima Chapel Xellim, Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Secretary of Archbishop were among 70 concelebrants.
Elaborating the role of priest, Archbishop Ferrao said, “A priest is a proclaimer of God’s Word and he does it through, catechism, homilies, writing, faith formation programmes and dialogue. So he is not only the messenger of the Word of God but he is also the message of the Word of God.”
Recalling that the priest, through prayer, Word of God, Sacraments, life of Sacrifice, communitarian life and priestly service is called to be union with Jesus. Archbishop called the priests to become like Jesus and said, “A priest is a celebrant of the Sacraments, so he shares the life of grace of God to others.” He does this not only through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but through his exemplary life and become builder of community, the archbishop added.
“A priest is called to be humble servant through his service and by accepting the others as God’s precious gifts,” Archbishop said.
Br. Malvino Alfonso was the liturgical commentator while Fr. Mark Furtado animated the liturgy along with Pre-Philosophy brothers of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao. Fr. Teodozio Fernandes led the Choir.
Newly Ordained Priest Fr. Julius Gonsalves expressed his sentiments of gratitude at the felicitation function held after the mass. Sr. Jane Gonsalves, SMI (Sister of Fr. Julius) welcomed the gathering. Fr. Charles Serrão, Fr. Israel Gonsalves and Clara Carneiro spoke on the occasion.
Picture: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao anointing the hands of Deacon Julius with chrism oil.