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The 8th National Council of the
World Apostolate of Fatima was held at Caritas Panjim on the 21st November 2012
(Wed) presided over by the WAF Indian National Ecclesiastical Advisor Most Rev.
Peter Machado bishop of Belgaum. 24 delegates, 9 observers, including 17
priests from 14 dioceses and 77 local WAF members attended. Many out station
members arrived on 20th.
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The meeting began at 8 am with
the hymn: Oh, Come to the
Throne… Mrs. Celina Caldeira led the Glorious mysteries
of the Rosary followed by the hymn:
Salve Regina, Prayers for the Canonization of Blessed Francisco, Blessed Jacinta and for the beatification of the Servant
of God Lucia, by Sacramenta D’Mello. This was followed by the WAF international
hymn to Our Lady of Fatima. Mr. Francis
Barreto , Chairman of the National Center
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In his address, Bishop Peter
Machado mentioned, “as Apostles of the Apostolate, we must go and spread the
Gospel through the Message of Fatima. The WAF is historic, since in the year 1917,
when the world was engulfed in communism, Our Lady appeared to the little
children. Our Lady’s message was: - 1) Continual
conversion. 2) Penance: many
have a negative meaning of life, since they want to enjoy. The message says
that each one of us must convert first, not great leaders first. The meaning of
penance is to deprive oneself of something to get something more. We surrender
ourselves to make place for other greater things. The best way do this is
through the Five First Saturdays. Sacraments are signs and symbols of getting
grace. 3) Prayer: especially the
Rosary meaningfully, these are connected prayers to Our Lord. They contain
mysteries of Our Lord in the life of Mary. Mary goes on pilgrimage in the life
of Jesus. Rosary is the lay person’s Breviary. 4) The message of Fatima : is for
peace and mercy. 5) As apostles of the
Apostolate, we must give this good news to others. Faith is measured in our
sharing with others, especially in this year of the New Evangelization. A small
note of caution: “I am most unworthy for this post, I have been appointed by
the CCBI, as Ecclesiastical Advisor, and so my role is to supervise and advise.”
Mary is not above the Church, but within the Church. As Lumen Gentium mentions:
Mary is within the Church, not above the Most Holy Trinity. Giving Mary undue
honour and glory is giving the Most Holy Trinity dishonour. Mary is the servant
of the Lord which means humble to the Church. Mary is the woman of Faith to
guide us and bring the family to where the mother is.
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This was followed by the hymn:
Mother of mine. Dr. Celcio Dias, Coordinator of the Indian National Centre,
President of the Asian Region and International Secretary then spoke about the “National Centre Report”. The Chairman Francis Barreto delivered an important talk on the “Message of Fatima”. After the tea break the hymn:
Ave Maria, Gratia Plena was sung. Mr. Anthony Viegas, Vice Chairman of the National Center National Center Fatima .
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Dr Celcio spoke on the “National Pilgrim Virgin Statue (of our Lady of Fatima)
Program” mentioning that Pune and Belgaum India ,
was brought to Calcutta
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Fr.
Peter da Gama - Parish Priest Oxel, Siolim then spoke on “Blessed Joseph Vaz’. The Angelus was led by
Jerome. This was followed by the awards ceremony; Bishop Peter handed over “Certificates
of Love and admiration” to many sponsors and donors and then prayed grace
before meals for lunch, followed by his blessing. During
the lunch break Solano and Cheryl Cardozo
entertained the gathering with their lovely singing. The choir was ably led by Eutemia Fernandes on the guitar, with Tanya on the
keyboard, and vocals by Deolinda Fernandes, Solano and Cheryl Cardozo, Anthony
Viegas and Silvia Monteiro. Fr Calistus Fernandes also sang a well appreciated Marathi song to
Our Lady of Fatima.
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Soon after lunch, the hymn: Hail Mary Gentle Woman was sung
followed by Workshop/Interaction about starting WAF/First
Saturdays in Parish/ Diocese. Fr Alphy D’Silva, Parish Priest of Our Lady of
Fatima Church, Molkod Honavar, Karwar diocese informed that the statue of Our
lady was a gift by the Patriarch of Goa, Deo T. M. R. V. de Castro in the year 1934. The parcel box was pending
clearance at customs. Incidentally, a Muslim Officer who had a chronic illness
got miraculously cured on touching this box. The box was opened and allowed to be
taken to the Church where it was installed on 13th Jan 1936, and
soon became the Marian Pilgrimage Centre. Till this day the annual feast is celebrated.
On 11 Jan 2013, Rt Rev Derek Fernandes, Bishop
of Karwar, will be launching the World Apostolate of Fatima in the Diocese along
with the Ecclesiastical Advisor Most Rev. Peter Machado
bishop of Belgaum Fatima
centre for the diocese. Fr Alphy extended
an open invitation to all for the inauguration.
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Fr Calistus parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church,Karjat Bombay Archdiocese mentioned
that his Shrine is having the oldest statue in Asia .
He distributed book marks on the 5 fold plan: - 1.Consecration of the Family
2.Daily Rosary and Sunday Eucharist 3. Sacrament of Penance to remain in
continual grace 4. Offer sacrifice of daily duty by reaching to the needy 5.
And to fulfill the obligation to know the faith by reading the Bible and studying
the Vatican II documents and the Catechism of
the Catholic Church. Fr Godfrey mentioned that they hosted the National
Meet in 2006, but the devotion has not yet
spread in the diocese. James said that he could teach people to make rosaries
cheaply, while Mrs. Lucy would use her contacts in spreading the devotion. The
chaplet of The Divine Mercy was led by Eutemia Fernandes and hymn: I will
sing of the Mercies of the Lord.
Dr. Celcio conducted elections to the Indian National Executive
Board of Trustees pursuant to the Statutes.
Nominations were called thrice and public voting was preferred over
secret ballot.
The following members were elected:-
National Executive Board
Chairman: Fr M V Sunny, Raiganj diocese, nominated
by Mr. Anthony R V Viegas, accepted with initial reluctance, seconded by Mr.
James Lingam and unanimously approved by the remaining delegates.
National Executive Board
Vice Chairman: Fr
Calistus Fernandes, Bombay Archdiocese, nominated by Fr.
Godfrey E Fernandes, accepted with initial reluctance, seconded by Fr
Philipkutty Joseph and unanimously approved by the remaining delegates.
National Executive Board Secretary:
Mr. Anthony R V
Viegas of Goa, nominated by Mr. Victor Mascarenhas, accepted willingly, seconded by
Fr. Godfrey E Fernandes and unanimously approved by the remaining delegates.
National Executive Board Treasurer:
Fr Alphy D’Silva of Karwar, nominated by Mr. Anthony R V
Viegas, accepted willingly, seconded by Mr. James Lingam unanimously
approved by the remaining delegates.
The newly elected office bearers spoke briefly declaring their
intent to work zealously to spread the Message of Fatima. The Fatima
farewell hymn was sung and photographs taken.
The high point
On the next day, on 22nd November 2012 (Thur), delegates proceeded
to Old Goa, Bom Jesus Basilica, to venerate the remains of St. Francis Xavier, they also witnessed the “Sound and light Museum”
on Jesus, St. Francis Xavier and Bd. Joseph Vaz and also visited the Se
Cathedral. Many left thereafter.
Prepared
by ___________________
(Mr. Anthony R V Viegas)
National Executive Board Secretary
|
Approved
by___________________
(Rev. Fr. M V Sunny)
National Executive Board Chairman
|
Approved
by __________________
(Fr
Calistus Fernandes)
National
Executive Board Vice Chairman
|
Approved
by _______________
(Fr Alphy
D’Silva)
National Executive Board Treasurer
|
Seen by:
(Mr. Francis Barreto ) (Dr.
Celcio Dias)
President Asian Region
Secretary International
Minutes
and elected Indian National Executive Board of Trustees confirmed and approved by
(+ Bishop Peter Machado)
Bishop of Belgaum
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