2nd ALL GOA ALTAR BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

(ORGANISED BY RACHOL SEMINARY IN COLABORATION WITH VOCATION   COMMISSION FOR THE DIOCESAN CLERGY, SEMINARY OF OUR LADY, SALIGAO-PILERNE, GOA)

St. Joseph's Church Altar Boys, Champions at Rachol Seminary

The Rachol Seminary, as part of its 4th Centenary Celebrations, organized the "2nd ALL GOA ALTAR BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT", in collaboration with the Vocation Commission for the Diocesan Clergy (V.C.D.C.), Saligao-Pilerne.  
After playing the preliminary rounds at the deanery level, the inter-deanery Winners battled it out to be the champions of the 2nd All Goa Altar Boys Football Tournament on 15th May at Rachol Seminary ground.

Fr. Romeu Godinho co-ordinator of the tournament welcomed the dignitaries on the dais. Fr. Mario Costa, prefect at Rachol Seminary, gave an inspiring pep talk to the altar servers to inculcate values for life and to reflect on their vocation to follow Christ. 
St. Joseph's Church Altar Boys, Sao Jose de Areal, emerged  winners of the 2nd All Goa Altar Boys Football Tournament played at Rachol Seminary football ground on Sunday 15th May, 2011, defeating Holy Cross Church Altar Boys, Santa Cruz by a solitary goal. Prisco Maura of Sao Jose de Areal scored the match winning goal of the finals. The winners of the tournament St. Joseph's Church Altar Boys, Sao Jose de Areal bagged Rs. 5,000 while Holy Cross Church Altar Boys, Santa Cruz bagged Rs. 3,000 along with trophies.   
Following individual prizes were awarded: Best Goalkeeper: Ancido Fernandes (Santa Cruz); Best Forward Prisco Maura; Best Defender Vishal Fernandes; Best Midfield: Derryl D'Costa and Best Player of the tournament Prisco Maura (all San Jose de Areal). The prize for the best disciplined team was awarded to St. Joseph's Church Altar Boys, Shiroda.
Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao Archbishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman presided over the function and Mr. Savio Madeira, Assistant coach of the Indian National Football team was the chief guest.
Two Exhibition matches added colour to the day. First match was between seminarians of Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne versus Macazana Altar boys. The second match was  between two Schools representing the two Diocesan congregations, namely, Handmaids of Christ (H.C.) Eves v/s Holy Family Sisters (S.F.N.) Eves. The honours were shared equally by the teams of both the exhibition matches. The sole purpose of the eves' exhibition match was to trigger a desire in the young girls towards embracing a vocation to religious life.     
Bro. Alroy Gomes and Deacon Marcelin Rodrigues compered during the tournament.  Bro. John Alban and Bro. Aaron Pereira created a soothing mood for the evening with live band. Bro. Mansueto Fernandes accompanied the band with his melodious voice. Fr. Heneincio D'Souza, director of the V.C.D.C, proposed the vote of thanks.  
The purpose in organizing this tournament was to recognize, appreciate and encourage the altar boys in enhancing their involvement in the Parish and to sow seeds of vocation to priesthood, said Fr. Romeu Godinho, co-ordinator of the tournament. He further pointed out that the tournament would also serve as an enriching experience for the Altar Boys from different Parishes to meet each other, exchange their views, live the spirit of friendship and display their talents on a common playground.  
Two books, namely, 'Vedi Seva Work Book' written by the Catechetical Association of Rachol Seminary, and 'Pik ani Vavradi' written by Fr. Eucaristinho Gomes, Parish Priest of the Church of St. Joseph, Sao Jose de Areal, were released on this occasion by the Archbishop.
Some of the members of the domestic staff who rendered their service to the Rachol Seminary for a number of years were felicitated at the hands of the Archbishop with a shawl and a mememto.

Fr. Donato Rodrigues
Rachol Seminary