Category: #faith

#faith

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão Inaugurates Silver Jubilee Year at St. Francis Xavier’s Parish, Kaloor, Kerala

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St. Francis Xavier’s Parish, Kaloor, in the Archdiocese of Verapoly, Kerala, inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Year of the construction and blessing of its new church on 7 December 2025. The year-long celebrations were opened by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Archbishop of Goa and Daman.

This was Cardinal Ferrão’s second visit to the parish, bringing with it a special sense of continuity and blessing. He fondly recalled being present at the blessing of the new church in November 2001, paying heartfelt tribute to the late Archbishop Daniel Acharuprambil and Msgr. Joseph Padiyaramparambil for their leadership and vision that shaped the parish into what it is today.

A Parish Rooted in Faith and Growing in Mission

The Cardinal highlighted the parish’s rich history, which began in 1862 with just 92 families. Today, it is a vibrant community of 6,800 Catholics from 1,680 families, organized into 55 family units.
The parish is home to:

  • A thriving Sunday School with 549 children and 63 dedicated teachers
  • Seven active lay associations
  • A significant ministry supporting migrant Catholic faithful

Located in the heart of Kochi, St. Francis Xavier’s Parish plays a crucial role in welcoming and guiding migrants seeking spiritual support and community life. The Cardinal called this both a grace and responsibility.

Inspired by St. Francis Xavier

Reflecting on the missionary zeal of St. Francis Xavier, Cardinal Ferrão urged the faithful to deepen their love for Jesus and share the Gospel with courage, compassion, and commitment. He reminded the parish of the saint’s enduring legacy, whose relics continue to draw pilgrims to Goa.

A Call to Live the Jubilee With Gratitude and Purpose

Cardinal Ferrão encouraged families, youth, and parish groups to become bearers of Christ’s light in society. He expressed appreciation for Fr. Paulson Simethy, the parish priest, and all parish leaders and volunteers for their service.
He prayed that the Jubilee Year may become a time of renewal, unity, and transformative action.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI. Fr. Paulson welcomed the dignitaries and presented a memento to the Cardinal.

With the formal declaration of the Silver Jubilee Year, the parish begins a journey of thanksgiving, renewal, and hope, celebrating 25 years of faith and community life.

#faith

Second Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Peace

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By Nikita Volvoikar

As the Advent season unfolds, today marks the Second Sunday of Advent, celebrated by lighting the Peace Candle, also known as the Prophet’s Candle. This candle symbolizes the divine peace that Jesus Christ brings — a peace that calms our hearts, heals our wounds, and restores what the world often tries to take away.

In a time when stress, conflict, hatred, division, and uncertainty seem to be on the rise, the Peace Candle calls us back to the essence of Christ’s message. He is the Prince of Peace, the one who brings stillness to troubled hearts and hope to weary souls.

Today, we are reminded to pray for peace:

  • In our hearts, where fear and anxiety often reside
  • In our families, where misunderstandings can arise
  • In our communities, where unity is needed
  • Across the world, where wars and unrest continue

As we light this candle, may it inspire us not only to seek peace but to be bearers of peace — through kindness, forgiveness, compassion, and love. Advent is a journey of preparation, and peace is one of its most profound gifts.

#faith

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Guidance and Ethical Responsibility in Youth Engagement with AI

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Vatican City, 5 December 2025: Pope Leo XIV has called for a renewed global commitment to guiding young people as they navigate the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Addressing participants at the international conference “Artificial Intelligence and Care for Our Common Home,” the Pope highlighted the profound impact AI is having on society, daily life and fundamental aspects of human development.

The Pope noted that while AI offers powerful opportunities, it also carries risks that must be addressed through collective awareness and ethical consideration. He pointed out that technologies are reshaping critical thinking, learning processes, social interactions and even the way young people perceive meaning and truth.

Pope Leo XIV stressed that the well-being of future societies depends on the ability of young people to grow in maturity, responsibility and discernment, developing their talents not as passive recipients of algorithm-driven content but as active contributors to the world around them.

Highlighting a growing misconception in the digital age, he warned that “accessing vast amounts of data is not the same as understanding or discovering truth.” He urged educators, institutions, businesses and religious communities to take an active role in helping youth use technology wisely, fostering balanced development of mind and spirit.

The Pope also underscored that humanity is called to be co-workers in creation, not merely consumers of AI-generated content. He emphasised that the development and governance of digital technologies require coordinated action involving politics, education systems, civil society and ethical leadership.

Raising crucial questions about the future, Pope Leo XIV asked how AI can genuinely serve the common good without deepening inequality or centralising power in the hands of a few. He also urged society to safeguard the freedom, inner life and emotional well-being of children and young people as technological shifts accelerate.

The address reflects the Vatican’s continuing call for a human-centered approach to technological development—one that preserves human dignity, protects the vulnerable and ensures that innovation remains oriented toward justice, solidarity and shared progress.

#faith

Cardinal Ferrão Unveils New Konkani (Roman Script) Missal at Old Goa

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Old Goa, December 3, 2025 — A landmark moment for the Catholic community in Goa unfolded at the Basilica of Bom Jesus as Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão formally released the much-awaited New Missal in Konkani (Romi Misa-Gronth) during the solemn feast Mass of St. Francis Xavier. The unveiling marks one of the most significant liturgical developments in recent decades for the Church in Goa.

In his address, Cardinal Ferrão expressed deep appreciation for the Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani (CLK–Goa), acknowledging the years of research, translation, consultation, and pastoral collaboration that have gone into producing the new liturgical text in the Roman script.

A Collaborative Effort Across Dioceses

During the ceremony, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes launched Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Soho-Somarombhpeanchea Upeoga Pasot, the Order of Mass for Concelebrants. The wide-scale effort to develop the Missal involved the dioceses of Mangalore, Goa and Daman, Sindhudurg, Karwar, Udupi, and Belgaum.

The first regional meeting took place on March 26, 2010, at Bishop’s House, Mangalore, chaired by Bishop Aloysius D’Souza. Representatives from Goa included Fr. Afonso Mendonça, Fr. Tomas Lobo, and the late Fr. Cristovao Caldeira.

To ensure accuracy and unity, the Commission reviewed texts using a four-column structure: Latin, English, the current Konkani text, and the proposed Konkani translation. Two groups were formed to accelerate the work, each responsible for specific sections of the Mass. Meetings were held every three months, lasting four to five days at a stretch.

Rigorous Review and Musical Unification

Each draft of the Missal was reviewed by experts, including over 20 priests from Goa proficient in Roman-script Konkani and Latin. Their insights led to further refinements, ensuring that the final text was pastorally sound and linguistically precise.

A Music Committee was also constituted to standardise tunes across dioceses. The team included Fr. Afonso Mendonca, Fr. Ronald Serrao, Fr. Tomas Lobo, Bishop Simião Fernandes, Fr. Lino De Sa, Fr. Bernado Cota, Fr. Matthew Rebello, Fr. Joe Rodrigues, Fr. Romeo Monteiro, and Fr. Seby Vaz.

Implementation from Ash Wednesday

The New Konkani Missal will officially come into liturgical use from Ash Wednesday. Preparatory sessions for families, catechists, and parish communities will begin during Advent, supported by a new booklet on the Order of the Mass published by the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy.

Two additional booklets—The Order of the Mass for the Faithful and The Order of the Children’s Mass—were released by Mathew De Souza and Sr. Alexia Braz FMCK, respectively.

Fr. Afonso Mendonça expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this years-long mission, noting that the new Missal represents a unified voice of the Konkani-speaking Church.

The release marks a historic step for the faithful of Goa, offering a beautifully revised, deeply studied, and pastorally enriched liturgical text that will guide worship for generations to come.

#faith

Goan Young Singers Bring Geet Ramayan Alive at Partagali Math’s 550-Year Celebrations

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Partagali, Goa: The 550-year celebrations of Shree Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jivottam Math witnessed a heartwarming display of Goan talent as young and gifted singers took center stage for a special rendition of Geet Ramayan, enchanting devotees and guests with their melodious voices.

The lineup featured some of Goa’s most promising young artists — Hrishikesh Dhavalikar, Pritha Kunkolkar, Yuga Sambari, Soham Kamat, Ditya Shirvaikar, Ayan Bhat, Rama Shenvi, Atiksha Shenoi, Om Dangui, and Vaishnavi Pai Cacode. Their soulful and expressive performances added a vibrant cultural touch to the grand celebration, drawing applause and admiration from a captivated audience.

Geet Ramayan, a poetic retelling of the Ramayana through 56 lyrical compositions by G.D. Madgulkar and music by Sudhir Phadke, remains one of the most iconic creations in Marathi literature and performing arts. The young singers’ heartfelt interpretations breathed new life into this timeless masterpiece, making it a memorable evening for attendees.

The event formed part of the larger Sardha Panchashatamahotsava, which has brought together devotees, cultural performers, and spiritual leaders to honour the Math’s rich heritage and longstanding contributions to society.