Bro. John Malvino Alfonso, OCD –
Ponda (Goa): Divine Mercy Centre, Carmelite Monastery, Margao in collaboration with St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Borim organised a day-long seminar on Divine Mercy for the members of the Divine Mercy Parish/Chapel/ Divine Mercy Groups of Ponda deanery at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Borim on Sunday.
Dean of Ponda Deanery and Parish Priest of St. Francis Church Borim, delivered inaugural address. He welcomed the participants and the resource persons of the day and appealed the participants to experience the mercy of God and witness t mercy in the society.
Parish Priest of Our Lady of Succour and Good Success Church, Nagoa Fr. Edson Fernandes, conducted two sessions on “Mercy in the Old Testament.” Elaborating on the mercy in the books of the Old Testament, he appealed the members of the Divine Mercy groups to forgive others, experience God’s presence among them, to bring the lost and those who astray, to God, to visit the lonely and the poor, to spread goodness in the community, to understand others and totally depend on God. “God choose many to proclaim his Mercy. Let us accept the invitation from God to witness and proclaim Mercy of God,” he said further.
Fr. Fantino Pereira, OCD, led the group discussion on the Parables of Mercy. Superior of the Carmelite Monastery Margao, Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, OCD elaborated the theme-Servant Leadership in the afternoon session. Taking the help of the Scripture, he stressed on the virtues required by the Servant leaders.
Seminar was concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration, which is feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, which was presided over by Fr. Manuel Gomes. Highlighting the importance of the Holy Eucharist, in a homily, he said that the Holy Eucharist is a food for our soul, forgives sin and a pledge of eternal life.
Superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD proposed a vote of thanks. Co-ordinator of the Promotion of Divine Mercy devotion, Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD compered the programme. Albina Cruz (Siroda) and Domingos Rosario (Usgao) shared their experiences.
This is the third seminar organised by the Divine Mercy Centre of the Carmelites as a part of ongoing formation. Responding to the appeal made by Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao, Carmelites formed 113 Divine Mercy Parish/Chapels Groups in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Three deaneries, Canacona, Sanguem and Ponda have Divine Mercy groups in all their Parishes and Chapels.