NO TO CHRISTIANS BUT YES TO CHRISTIAN FEASTS.

NO TO CHRISTIANS BUT YES TO CHRISTIAN FEASTS.
On Monday 27th April I attended the feast of Milagre Saibinn at Mapusa Church. After attending the Mass, I went around the annual “Feri” where I saw innumerable people mainly the Catholic devotees purchasing different items from the Stalls. With the exception of "Cheuris Pao" almost all the Stalls were put up and owned by non-Catholics many of them anti-Christians and some of them non-Goans, the latest descendents from "Ghantti" land having no respect for Christians and no reverence for Christian relics and their values. Even in the que one could see only the Ghantti beggars without uttering a single word of Konkani prayer like “Baba tumcher bessaum poddonk re, bai tumchem borem zaum go, Milagre Sabinnin tumcher besavam ghalunk”. Their only motto is to make money. This money they collect from Goan Catholics devotees. It was very hurting to know that the very people who hate Christians are promoting their businesses only thru Christian patronage and our Church leaders are not giving any guidance for us to challenge this trend and take control of our affairs.

We have so many jobless Catholics, Church leaders in every village for the Church feasts must encourage these jobless Christians to put up their own stalls for the Church “Feri” instead of using these boys and girls for running the Church “Kermes”. Even if monetary assistance is required, Church leaders should come forward to assist and if necessary even business guidance like entrepreneurial skills should be thought to our Christians. Churches are making lot of money thru organising Kermes, thru Sunday Collections and by organising Shows and Tiatros. During Milagre Saibinn Fest, one Tiatro of Prince Jacob was scheduled for which very hefty tickets were sold namely first class for Rs. 500/- followed by Rs. 300/- Rs. 200/- etc. This is big money Church is making and such money extortion in the name of Church was imposed on Catholic devotees only. It is not Mapusa Church alone, all the Churches in Goa must come out with some ideas to involve Goan Christians into business first especially where Church is involved. Goa Church must stop begging and instead start financing and guiding our people for entrepreneurial skills. Goa Church is not a beggar, it has got good wealth to support the faithfuls and their projects.

Currently I have noticed that due to degoanisation process in Goa and denying Catholics and other Christians of their privileges and rights, the importance of Christians is getting down and thru this process the influence of Catholic Church controlled from Panjim Altinho is waning. I noticed during the recent Lokh Sabab Election the influence of non-Goan Ghanttis and non-Christians was shining like Bethlehem Star. Our problem lies in the weak and inefficient leadership we get from our Church. Our Church and priests and even nuns are become over money conscious. At moment it looks that Priesthood is become a money making profession and not a vocation. In order to grab money, many of our priests are sprinting in all directions like our politicians. Some years back for the greed of money the then Pe. Vigar of our village Church sold inside premises of our Church to Amitab Bacchan to make his film, of course shamelessly. Our Church leaders and priests are least interested in the protection of our rights and privileges. It is they who sold rampantly Confraria Lands to non-Goans, non-Christians and the enemies of Christians. In time to come, we will survive as a strong community only if our Church and priests give us strong support, strong leadership and suitable guidance otherwise we will get drowned in the big ocean of Non-Goans continuously pouring in Goa and Non-Christians who will utilise each and every opportunity available in Goa for them. The downfall of Christians in general and Catholics in particular in Goa will be the making of our Church leadership. We don’t want the Church preaching empty sermons and giving nonsensical instructions. Those days are over. The days of opposition and challenges from our enemies are looming over our heads. Our Church leadership must rise and rise immediately.

A. Veronica Fernandes.

JOSE ROD SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS

The medical team at the Hinduja Hospital-Mumbai have positive news of Jose Rod’s surgery and has declared that he is responding well.

The family of Jose Rod thank the Almighty God and graciously acknowledge with great affection, love and gratitude to all friends and well-wishers for your continued prayers.

May the Almighty GOD shower on you all His Choicest Blessings. Praise be to the Almighty God. Thank you all.

Cajetan de Sanvordem
Kuwait