By Sr. Molly Fernandes SFN

Chinchinim, Aug 18: On Sunday, 16th August 2026, Our Lady of Hope Church, Chinchinim, reverberated with joy, culture, and community spirit as it hosted Ekvottanchi Sanj 5.0. Organized by the dynamic parish youth under the guidance of Fr Clive Diniz and Fr Joviar, alongside parish priest Fr Alex and other priests, the grand digitized event brought together parishioners of all ages to celebrate faith, unity, and heritage.

What began five years ago as a humble initiative under former assistant to the parish priest Fr. Christopher Fernandes, has today grown into a flourishing tree, bearing rich fruits and vibrant flowers of fellowship throughout the parish wards.

The program commenced at 3:00 PM with a solemn prayer service invoking God’s blessings. Following the service, the dignitaries, judges, and distinguished chief guest, Fr. Christopher Fernandes, returning to the parish he helped nurture—were warmly welcomed to the dais.

The highlight of the event was a spectacular parade representing the unity and diversity of India. The Chinchonkar parishioners brought the spirit of the nation alive right in Goa, donning the traditional attire of numerous Indian states:

• Represented States: Mizoram, Manipur, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
• Cultural March: Each ward showcased its assigned state through a grand march depicting unique traditions, cultural dances, and authentic attire.
• "In the Footsteps of the Saints": A touching monologue presentation featured parish children depicting recent Indian saints and holy figures, including St. Alphonsa, St. Euphrasia, St. Devasahayam Pillai, St. John Paul II, Venerable Fr. Agnelo, St. Joseph Vaz, Blessed Rani Maria, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, St. Mariam Thresia and St. Anthony of Padua and other saints.

The first half of the afternoon saw friendly, high-spirited ward-level competitions:

• Ward Contests: Title painting, dish preparation, and culinary showcases.
• Stalls and Entertainment: Food courts, game booths, and play stations were organized by the Parish Youth, Catechists, and various parish associations.
• Novelty and Games: The evening featured a crowd-favourite Housie, a lucky coupon draw, and playful guessing games—including predicting the weight of a fruit basket and counting candies in a giant pot.

"Seeing this initiative grow from a small seed into a fruitful tree brings immense joy. May Ekvottanchi Sanj continue to be a beacon of unity, communion, and brotherhood. May these 5 years turn into 25—and witty as it sounds, feel free to invite me back as Chief Guest for the Silver Jubilee!"

— Fr. Christopher, chief guest

• Praise from the Founder: Fr. Christopher showered affection on the parishioners for their hard work, creative performances, and dedicated spirit.
• A Poetic Tribute: Parish priest Fr Alex recited a special poem he composed for the occasion, expressing deep joy and admiration for the parishioners' tireless labour and enthusiasm in making the event memorable.

The day concluded with the distribution of prizes and tokens of appreciation for all participating wards.

• Ward Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes were awarded for the overall ward-wise competitions, culminating in the presentation of the coveted Rolling Trophy to the winning ward.
• Vote of Thanks: Delivered by Fr Joviar, acknowledging the collective efforts of the priests, youth, organizers, judges, and parishioners.

The event was enthusiastically compered by most vibrant and lively Ms. Nelia Pereira. The memorable event drew to a successful close at 8:30 pm.