MISSION CONGRESS  AT  OUR  LADY  OF  IMMACULATE  CONCEPTION  PARISH – MOIRA

                                                                                           Celina Da Silva Coelho

Mission Congress – a celebration of God’s love – was held at the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Moira from 18 – 20 April, 2011 which was conducted by Rev. Fr. Saturnino Dias, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Missionary Animation, Old Goa.
The participants were introduced to the themes of each day i.e. Faith Experienced, Faith Lived and Faith Shared by the breaking of the Word aided by a power point presentation for better understanding.  Fr. Dias said: Jesus is the First and greatest Missionary sent by God the Father with His message of love for humankind.  Through the Passion of Jesus, His death on the Cross and by His Resurrection we are made heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom.  And through the faith that we received on the day of our Baptism we are all called to proclaim this love of God through our Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly mission.

Inspiring testimonies of persons whose lives were transformed by the touch of God leading to the strengthening of their faith, shared about their personal relationship with Jesus, and how they draw strength from the Lord to live their faith in their day to day lives and share it in their families, neighbor-hood, work places and in the society.
On an average 250 parishioners participated in the three day Mission Congress.  The participants were divided into 14 groups of 18 to 20 persons per group, where they joyfully shared their faith experienced, faith lived and faith shared in their own community as well as other communities.  All the participants expressed their sincere gratitude for organizing the Mission Congress and also shared that it has helped them in many ways.  First and foremost they said they have learnt to thank God, learnt to proclaim God’s marvelous works in their lives.  Some also said that after listening to the testimonies they too are inspired to follow in their footsteps to live and share faith by actions.  There was also a suggestion to have more sessions like this to strengthen our faith.
On the occasion a poster exhibition going down memory lane on the Mission history of the Church of Moira along with charisms and works undertaken by the religious houses based in Moira was on display.
At the end all the participants pledged to spread God’s love through their way of life.  The event concluded with thanksgiving to God for the Mission Congress and a vote of thanks by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mariano Goes Proenca.