Bro. John Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Goa: Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas, Bishop of Baroda recently celebrated thanksgiving mass at his home Parish Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, Ambora in Goa along with Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, Bishop Emeritus of Gandhinagar Diocese, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi.
Other concelebrants were Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, Superior General of the Society of Pilar, Fr. João Manuel Fernandes, a priest of the Baroda diocese besides 100 priests.
Bishop Sebastião was ordained as Bishop on 18th February 2023 at Vadodora in the Diocese of Baroda in Gujarat at the hands of Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, and Bishop Thomas Macwan, Archbishop of Gandhinagar as Co-Consecrators. “Ubi Deus, Ibi Spes” (Where God is, there is Hope) is his Episcopal Motto.
“Church is Jesus and all of us, his faithful. Jesus is with us and we need to take a decision after listening to him,” said Bishop Mascarenhas. Bishop Mascarenhas was delivering a homily at the thanksgiving mass in his home Parish at Ambora Goa. “Even in the church, decisions are taken after listening to Jesus,” he said.
Explaining two-fold mission of Bishop, Bishop Mascarenhas said that he teaches in the name of Jesus and in faithful’s name he stands before Jesus, and all the priests take part in this mission. “When we avoid Jesus and take our own decision, it cannot be a Christian decision, we cannot be called as a church. When we see Jesus in others and take decisions with Jesus, we become a church,” said Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas. He appealed to the faithful gathered to listen to Jesus and take appropriate decisions.
“We need to take a decision in the Church according to Scripture and the teachings of the Church; contrary to them, it is not the decision of the Church,” said Bishop while explaining the consultative process of decision making. He also reflected on his Episcopal Motto: ‘Ubi Deus, Ibi Spes.’
Fr. Ivo Fernandes, sfx animated the liturgy. Liturgical Singing was led by Fr. Lino De Sa.
After the Mass, a small felicitation programme was organized andthe Parish of Ambora felicitated Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao. Cardinal Ferrao visited the Parish for the first time after his elevation as a Cardinal. They also felicitated newly-ordained Bishop and son of their parish Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas.
Speaking during the felicitation programme, Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão said that the hand of the Lord is on Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas.
Highlighting responsibilities held by Bishop Sebastião in the missions of Gujarat and Daman, Cardinal said that “Bishop had the opportunity to learn Gujarati and Marathi in the mission. “He had a first-hand experience of the Church in Gujarat. The Lord was preparing him right from the day,” he added.
“When we exercise our ministry in the house of formation, we get the opportunity to understand our future priests because we accompany them as in charge formation,” said the Prelate while speaking on the responsibility Bishop had as a Rector of the Seminary. He also reminded the faithful gathered of the role played by Bishop Sebastião as a priest of the Society of Pilar as Provincial and Superior General. “God prepared Bishop by entrusting him pastoral and administrative responsibilities. He was in close touch with different ecclesial realities where today God has appointed him as a Bishop,” said Cardinal Ferrão. “A Priest in the Parish is a sign of Christian maturity and of the faith of that community. God gives you two Bishops that speak of the faith of the Parish,” said Cardinal while highlighting the importance of vocation to the priesthood and religious life. He appealed to the parents to sow the seeds of vocation in their families.
Bishop Sebastião was felicitated at hands of Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes, Vicar General and Fr. Noel D’Costa, Financial Administrator on behalf of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Village Panchayat of Ambora too felicitated Cardinal Ferrão, Bishop Sebastião and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.
Albert Mascarenhas, brother of Bishops Sebastiao and Theodore Mascarenhas presented a brief history of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Loyola Dias, moderator of the Parish Pastoral Council of Ambora Parish welcomed the faithful. Bishop Sebastiao expressed his sentiments of gratitude. A Special Mando (a Goan Song) was composed by Fr. Lino De Sa Parish Priest of Our Lady Candelaria Church, Ambora on Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas was presented after cutting the cake. Fr. Lino De Sa spoke on the occasion. Valany Dias compered the felicitation programme. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas proposed a vote of thanks.