India News

By Sr. Molly Fernandes sfn

Anjuna-Vagator, Goa, Sep 30 : On 29th September 2023, St. Michael’s Convent and High School, at Anjuna-Vagator, Goa, celebrated their patron feasts with pomp and gaiety as the school band at the beats of drum welcomed the guests and everyone as one could see the staff and the students faces shone and illuminating radiance of joy and happiness in spite of heavy and incessant rains.

The theme for the Eucharistic Celebration was ‘St Michael the Archangel, defend us in our life battle’. The mass began with a short enactment on how under the guidance and patronage of St. Michael their lives changed and were strengthened and empowered to shun evil and receive blessings.

The main celebrant Rev. Fr. Milchester Furtado(cap), moved the gathering with his inspiring homily encouraging those present to be angels where we live, work, in our surroundings, being the messengers of good news just as the archangels or angels carry and are God’s messengers. With the examples of Archangels Gabriel, Raphael and Michael, who protect, strengthen, counsel and guide us, he exhorted the students, teachers, management and those gathered to be messengers of goodness, by being supportive, by guiding and helping.

He also pointed that we are above the angels as God has created us in his own image and likeness. And questioned, have you been an angel?

Can I be an angel of counsel, healing, defence and Good news?, Fr. Furtado challenged.

The school choir helped everyone to participate in the Eucharist with fervour and piety.

Having nourished at the Eucharistic celebration, everyone was served with refreshments as incessant rains kept pouring. After the refreshments the Main Celebrant Rev. Fr. Milchester, Rev. Sr. Berna Rodrigues, the Superior General of Holy Family Sisters, in the presence of Rev. Sr. Margaret Rodrigues the Headmistress, Sr. Charlotte Barbosa, the Manager and Sr. Benedita Carvalho the Animator, inaugurated the Art Exhibition cum Sale of Glass Paintings, Fabric Paintings, Canvas Paintings and Crochet art, Flowers, etc.

The priests who concelebrated along with the main celebrant were presented with a token of love.

For any event to reach its pinnacle, a lot of homework has to be done and as said many hand make light work, the headmistress Sr. Margaret Rodrigues, with deep gratitude cherished the presence of all those present and grace their occasion.

Sr. Rodrigues said she is short of words to thank each and everyone who had to put in lots of effort to make this day a day of blessing, including all benefactors, well-wishers and her energetic, supportive members of the Staff.

A great feat the prestigious school received ‘an award’ for eradicating plastic through a given project ‘Mhaka Naka Plastic’ in the village of Anjuna-Vagator by the foundation ‘Sensible Earth, The Centre for Sustainability, Goa, at the hands of their representatives Mr. Anthony D Souza and Jonas Fernandes.

The continuous rains could not dampen the spirit of the children and the staff as the day was guarded under the patronage of St. Michael. Everyone returned home after lunch.

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