Faithful Gather at Old Goa for Prayerful Discernment in Shaping New Diocesan Pastoral Plan

Old Goa, Jan 23, 2026: Seventy-three clergy, religious, and lay faithful participated in a three-day Reflection and Discernment Programme held from January 13 to 15 at the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre (SJVSRC), Old Goa, aimed at contributing to the formulation of the New Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

Organised in a spirit of synodality and communal listening, the programme sought to help participants deepen their capacity for prayerful discernment while identifying pastoral priorities for the local Church.

The first day focused on spiritual orientation and grounding. Fr. Henry Falcão, Director of SJVSRC, welcomed the participants and invited them to embrace synodality as a way of life rooted in communion, participation, and mission. Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes outlined the programme structure and logistics, setting the tone for a reflective journey. The day concluded with Eucharistic Adoration led by Fr. Onasis D’Cruz, drawing participants into silence, prayer, and attentive listening to the Spirit.

The second day began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist integrated with Lauds, presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão. The liturgy underscored the centrality of prayer in pastoral planning and discernment.

Subsequent sessions were animated by Fr. Joe Xavier, SJ, who presented the vision and framework of the diocesan pastoral plan. He elaborated on its goals, key performance indicators, and the essential role of discernment in the Spirit in ecclesial decision-making. Participants then engaged in group discussions, reflecting on pastoral priorities and exploring concrete ways to translate the Church’s vision into practical action.

The day concluded with evening Eucharistic Adoration led by Fr. Gabriel Fernandes, OFM Cap., and Sr. Daisy K. JMJ, fostering a continued atmosphere of contemplation and communal prayer.

The final day centred on synthesising reflections into actionable proposals. Group reports highlighted pastoral goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes. Under the guidance of Fr. Joe Xavier, discussions helped refine the structure and content of the proposed Pastoral Document, ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with the diocesan vision.

The programme concluded with words of gratitude, final blessings imparted by Cardinal Ferrão, and a fellowship lunch, marking the successful completion of a spiritually enriching and pastorally fruitful three-day journey.

The gathering stood as a concrete expression of the Church’s synodal path—listening together, discerning together, and walking forward in faith to serve God’s people more effectively.