Bro. John Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Margao: All Goa Altar Servers’ Day was celebrated at an Archdiocesan level at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Borim, organized by the Vocation Commission for the Diocesan Clergy (VCDC) of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman
Delivering the homily at the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Socorro Colaco, Prefect of Discipline at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, appealed to the parents of the Altar Servers to encourage their children to say ‘yes’ to the Call to Priestly and religious life.
Stressing on the fact that the Altar Servers are very close to the Altar, Fr. Colaco said that serving the altar during the Eucharistic celebrations should nurture their vocation. Fr. Socorro, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
Fr. Xavier Estibeiro, Director of Vocation Commission for the Diocesan Clergy, Fr. Elvis Dias, Secretary of VCDC and Spiritual Director of the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne, Fr. Aleston Vaz, member of VCDC and Prefect of Discipline at the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne, Fr. Victor Ferrão, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Borim, Fr. Leonardo Correia and Deacon Afzal Fernandes concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
Altar Servers from the parishes of Ponda Deanery participated in the half-day programme held at the Borim Church after the mass.
Fr. Elvis Dias spoke on God’s call and suggested some means to strengthen the call to priestly and religious life. Seminarians also shared their call stories.
Vocation talk, quiz, and fancy dress presentation based on the ministries in the church, actions songs were some of the programs held which was conducted by the team of VCDC and Seminarians from Saligão and Rachol Seminary.
Agnelo Fernandes, moderator of the Parish Pastoral Council of Borim Church welcomed the participants, priests, seminarians and Fr. Victor Ferrão, Parish Priest thanked all.