Cardinal Ferrão Urges Faith Renewal as Goa Parish Marks Golden Jubilee

Goa, October 31, 2026: Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão of Goa and Daman has urged Catholics to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture and the Eucharist, as Our Lady of Flight Church, Cunchelim Goa inaugurated its Golden Jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years of its faith journey.

Presiding over the inaugural Eucharistic celebration, Cardinal Ferrão reflected on the parish’s five-decade history and acknowledged the contributions of generations of parishioners.

In his homily, titled “Let Us Abide in Christ and Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Parish”, he drew on the conversion of St. Paul, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, to explain how Baptism transforms Christians and makes them members of the Mystical Body of Christ.

He identified prayer, reading and reflecting on the Word of God, and participation in the Eucharist as three essential ways of remaining united with Christ.

The Cardinal called on parishioners to translate their faith into practical acts of love and service, particularly towards the poor, the elderly and those in need. He also stressed the importance of strengthening fellowship and unity within the parish community.

Referring to the parish’s patroness, Our Lady of Flight, he encouraged the faithful to seek her intercession and follow her example of love, goodness and kindness.

Describing the Golden Jubilee as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, Cardinal Ferrão said it was a time to look back with gratitude, celebrate the present with joy and approach the future with hope.

“A Jubilee is a gift of God given to us. A Jubilee is a privileged time of God’s grace, to look at the past with gratitude, to celebrate the present with joy and to look at the future with optimism and hope,” he said.

He urged the community to use the jubilee year to strengthen relationships, deepen their faith and bear witness to Gospel values.

The celebrations also featured the release of a Golden Jubilee souvenir and memento by the Cardinal, who planted a mango sapling to mark the occasion.

Addressing the gathering during the cultural programme, he said people of all religions, languages and cultures could contribute to building a better society through kindness, forgiveness, service and reconciliation.

The parish also launched its official website, a documentary and the Golden Jubilee theme song. Joshua D Souza, MLA of Mapusa was present on the occasion

Fr. Luis Gomes, parish priest, thanked those who contributed to organising the celebrations. Irene Pereira, moderator of the Parish Pastoral Council and convenor of the Jubilee Committee, also expressed gratitude to the organisers and parishioners.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso