Media Release

Goa, Jan 26: The Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman celebrated the Jubilee of the Word of God on January 26, at St Thomas, the Church, Aldona on the occasion of the Sunday dedicated to the Word of God. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Henry Falcao, episcopal vicar for the North Zone.

Fr Mariano D'Costa (director, Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate), Fr Tomas Lobo (parish priest, St Thomas Chuch, Aldona), Fr Mario Leitao (parish priest, St Sebastian's Church, Calvim), Fr Caitano D'Souza (Chaplain, St Rita of Cascia Chapel, Carona), Fr Gualberto D'Souza (Chaplain, Our Lady of Piety Chapel, Quitla), Fr Angelo Simoes (assistant to the parish priest, St Thomas Church, Aldona) and Deacon Jason Travaso concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration

Fr Henry Falcao, in his homily on the theme "I hope in your Word," called on the faithful to build their lives upon the Word of God. He began by emphasizing that knowing the glory of God, experiencing His love, and being guided by His hand all require a firm foundation in His Word. As he shared with the congregation, "If we want to know the glory of God, we want to experience the beauty of the love of God, and if we want to be guided by the hand of God in our life, we need to build our life on the Word of God."

Fr Falcão, who also serves as the director of the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre in Old Goa, reminded the faithful that God's Word is not reserved for a select few but is for everyone. "Every human being, every disciple of Christ, needs to base our life on the Word of God," he stated, stressing that for followers of Jesus, hope is not merely an ideal or an ideology, but a person—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. "If we want to live according to the will of God," he said, "we need to live as a member of the Body of Christ."

In his message, Fr Falcão also highlighted the significance of participating in the Bible course. He explained that by doing so, the faithful had accepted their responsibilities towards both the Word of God and the Church. The Word, he pointed out, is living and has the power to give life. "The Word of God is living. It has the power to give life, so it should be living in our life. Never allow the Word of God to die," he urged.

Fr Falcão further explained that the Word of God renews and heals every person. "The Word of God makes each one of us alive, which means it renews us every day. Anyone who is in the love of God becomes a renewed person," he shared. He concluded his homily with a strong appeal for the faithful to take the Word of God seriously and allow it to transform their lives into something new.

Fr Tomas Lobo, parish priest of St Thomas, the Apostle Church, Aldona, extended a warm welcome to all those present. In his address, Fr Henry Falcão spoke on the significance of the occasion." May the Bible Course which was conducted in the deanery, help us to understand the oneness of the Old Testament in the New Testament. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament and Jesus is the fulfilment,” said Fr Falcao.

Lavina Cardozo and Nelson Fernandes shared their experiences participating in the Bible Course. The event was anchored by Sandhya Fernandes, while Fr Mariano D’Costa, director of the diocesan centre for Biblical Apostolate, expressed gratitude to all involved.

The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a brief programme that included a prayer dance, devotional songs by the parish catechists and catechism students, and a Mando performance.

The occasion also saw the felicitation of collaborators who had been involved in the Bible course organised by the Centre. A total of 134 participants from the Aldona deanery were awarded diplomas for completing the Bible course. The Rite of enthronement of the Bible was also conducted at the begining of the Eucharistic celebration. The event was anchored by Sandhya Fernandes, while Fr Mariano D’Costa, director of the diocesan centre for Biblical Apostolate, expressed gratitude to all involved.

During Bible Week, the diocesan centre for Biblical Apostolate will focus on Hopeful Horizons-daily reflections on Bible verses, an explanation of Biblical Symbols of Hope, an online Bible Quiz, and visits to the sick by Biblical Animators. During these visits, prayer services will be conducted in families.