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| St. Diogo's church, Guirim |
-Brian Mendonca
18 June is a date that is well-remembered in Goa. Last year gave us another reason to commemorate the date - though sorrowfully. On that day the remains of Fr. Anand Gama Pais were interred at Moira church. I have just watched the short video on the final rites and was taken aback at how much he had aged.
In the video I was grateful to be able to see Fr. Gabriel Coutinho at the podium, as well as Fr. Caetano Fernandes bearing the casket of Fr. Anand to the burial site.
In some ways the two priests signified the alpha and the omega in my life. Fr. Gabriel Coutinho - the ex-parish priest of St. Andrews church, Vasco - was our spiritual animator when we were residing in Vasco, and Fr. Caetano the current parish priest of Holy Family church, Porvorim, is our go-to person as we continue our earthly journey at Porvorim.
The memories were triggered by a request to pray for the soul of Fr. Anand Pais by Fr. Kevin Rodrigues who celebrated the 10.15 a.m. Sunday Mass in English on 19th February at St. Diego's church, Guirim. Goa.
Fr. Kevin informed that he is attached to the Clergy Home in Porvorim and was requested by Cardinal Ferrao to assist at St. Diogo's church. The fact that he invoked Fr. Anand's name was indicative of the spiritual energy of the departed priest which still pervades the holy altar.
I had heard Fr. Anand at this very altar and was struck by his rousing sermon. That he went so soon was not expected. We had also heard the late parish priest of St. Diogo's church Fr. Nevel Gracias at the same altar. He preceded Fr. Pais by a month by passing away in his sleep on 13th May.
The gospel reading was on Jesus asking the people to love our enemies. (Mt. 5:38-48) Fr Kevin urged all to forgive as they would have the holy Father forgive them. Dovetailing into Ash Wednesday, the words resonated with the peace retreat I attended at Pilar on 17-18 February.
The youth choir sang for the Mass. The visiting Fr. Kevin was lavish with his praise. He thanked the choir as well as the young woman who read the church announcements proclaiming, 'She is fit to be ordained,' to titters from the faithful.
Arriving early at 10, I was able to circle the expansive ground in front of the majestic St. Diogo's church constructed in 1604 and take the picture above. It somehow makes you feel very insignificant in front of God's will.
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Pic taken by Brian Mendonca on Sunday, 19 February 2023. Updated 20/2/23.
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