Report

 
The Parish of Our Lady of Rosary Navelim Salcete, with the co-ordination of the Diocesan Centre for Missionary animation organized a three day mission congress from 5th April to 7th April 2011 at The Rosary Parish hall Navelim.
The theme of the Congress was “Devacho Mog somorombhun Pask Porbek toiar zaum-ia”
On the first day the programme began with the registration of participants with the theme song being played at the background at 5:30 pm.

The Congress began with the lighting of traditional lamp by Rev. Fr. Saturnino Dias Convenor Goa Mission Congress, Parish Priest of Rosary Church Rev. Fr. Leonardo Moraes, Sr Ancerin SFN representative of Sisters working in the Parish , Mr. Milagrino Pires Moderator Parish  Pastoral Council and Mrs. Lourdina Rodrigues representative of Parishioners.

The venue of Congress displayed various posters and banners depicting the history of Navelim church and that of different chapels affiliated to Navelim church, the history and the working of different Religious Congregations Parish organizations and associations.
Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Leonardo Moraes welcomed the gathering and explained the motto of the Congress.
To give a warm welcome, and as a token of love, floral bouquets were offered to Rev. Fr. Saturnino Dias by Valencia Coutinho, Elvina Miranda to faith sharer Fr. Raju Godinho and Vincy Fernandes to faith sharer Mr. Michael Martins and his wife Mrs Goretti Martins.
Fr. Saturnino Dias then with the help of LCD projector dwelt at length on “ Faith Experienced” what was our life before we experienced Christ, what change occurred in our life when we experienced Christ, and now, how do we live our lives. Can we see any change? Fr Saturnino deeply reflected on these, making the participants to reflect on the level of the faith that they have experienced.
At this juncture, Fr. Raju Godinho gave his testimony, how he experienced Christ and decided to follow him by being a priest, when he at his young age he was obstinate not to be a priest but to be a musician and a rich person in the world.
Another faith sharing couple, Mr. Michel Martins and Mrs. Goretti Martins gave a testimony how he being a batkar of Taleigao experienced Christ through his ailments and became a servant of church, His wife being very instrumental to bring about this drastic change.
This was followed by group sharing. The participants were divided in 34 groups of twenty participants each besides the moderator and the secretary. The groups shared almost an hour, how they experienced faith. At the end of session the secretaries suggested the names of the participants in the groups who have really experienced vivid faith in Christ and how this vivid experience has changed his or her life.
The convener than summarized the testimony of the participants and the day was concluded with the blessings by the convener.
The second day began with the theme song being sung by all the participants. Again with the help of LCD projector Fr. Saturnino enlightened the participants on the “Faith Lived”. Are we really witnesses of faith in our daily life? Does each incident in our life occurs in the light of our faith? How do we face challenges in our day to day life? Does our faith give us the strength to face these challenges or due to slackened faith we feel depressed or downfallen especially in the light of our chosen status and responsibilities.
Fr. Saturnino threw some light on our behavior. How do the people of other faith look at us and experience us? Do we really live according to the teaching of Jesus?
On the day we had the testimony of faith sharer Mr. Camilo Noronha. The testimony of Mrs. Fatima Rocha was read by  Mrs. Tina Rebello and the testimony of Dr. Rupa was shown on the LCD projector.
The participant than shared in the respective groups the faith that they lived and at the end of the session some members reported some of the testimonies. The testimony of young Sanjay was very touching one.
The third day began with the theme song being spontaneously sung by all the participants followed by prayer.
Fr. Saturnino then gave an extensive discourse on “Faith Shared” have we ever abridged our Christian faith to the people of other faiths? When we deal with the people of other faiths do they really experience the love of Christ through us? When we meet each other, does our behavior takes them closer to Jesus or does it take them away from Jesus. These and some other points were shared by the convener in his discourse.
On this day we had Mr. Elvis Coutinho who gave us the testimony on how he shared his faith with others in some other states of India. The testimony of Sr. Bromadine was read by Sr. Susan SFN.  The participants as usual went to their respective groups where they had the sharing session on faith shared. The groups also were given three questions very relevant for the evaluation of Mission Congress.
• Is the Mission Congress profitable to you?
• What do you think you have gained from it?
• To be more profitable what do you suggest?
All the 34 groups had their reporting session where each group secretary gave the opinion of each group.
Fr. Saturnino then summarised the responses and highlighted some of the important suggestions and led the congregation for the concluding prayer which marked the end of Mission Congress. The Parish Priest Fr. Leonardo Moraes thanked all the people.
This was the initiative of Fr. Leonard Moraes, Parish Priest of Navelim together with the co-ordination of all the Priests of the Parish.The three days of congress sessions were compared by Mr. Anthony Vaz, while Sr. Jennifer SFN was a rock behind the success of the congress. Mr. Agnelo Fernandes and Mr. Alvito Pires ensured the continuity of light and sound in the auditorium during all the three days while Mr. Agnelo Lobo was the man behind the working of LCD projector. The Parish youth was a force to reckon with at the venue of Mission Congress. Mr. Melvin Pereira was the person responsible for snacks and refreshments.
Mrs. Celsa Afonso proposed the vote of thanks.