Fr Stan Rodrigues, OCD Rome

Rome: Konkani Kutam come together to share the Easter joy at  the Jesuit Generalate here on April 29.  The day was all the more significant as the universal Church celebrated it as the Good Shepherd Sunday and Vocation Sunday.

The  Solemn Eucharistic  celebration in Konkani was presided over by Fr. Faustine Lobo, National Director, Pontifical  Mission Societies, India, who is on an official visit to Rome.

In his introduction Fr Lobo called upon to be living testimonies to the Risen Christ and proclaim  His love to others. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha, professor at the Urbanianum Pontifical University broke the Word of God. In his meaningful and captivating homily Fr. Saldanha said “while Jesus lived among us, He did not draw any picture of His, or there is nothing that He wrote about Himself, but the miracle is that even after two thousand years He is not forgotten for He is Risen and continues to  live and work through His followers”. Highlighting the significance of  the Good Shepherd Sunday Fr. Saldanha gave a clarion call to radiate God's love especially in our families. As Risen Jesus was the guiding force to the Apostles during their missionary journeys, so also the same Lord is present now and guides in our way of life and even draws others to Himself he added.  Fr. Rajesh Rosario and Br. Rockwin Pinto animated the Choir.

Fr Wilfred Pais ocd, welcomed  the gathering. The new members were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and were  accorded with  a  cordial  welcome  to  the  Konkani Kutam. Joslin Crasta daughter of Hilary Crasta from Farla parish was felicitated belatedly by Br Tonny Crasta SJ on the  occasion of her First Holy Communion in Room on 27 April. Fr Rajesh  Rosario entertained  the gathering  with  jokes.  Fr. Melwin Pinto SJ, prayed the grace over the meal.

Hilary was one of the main  sponsors  of  the  dinner  in  honor  of  the  First  Holy  Communion of  his  daughter.  It was  enriching  to see a gathering of  about eighty  priests, religious  and  laity  working/serving/studying in Rome. The Gurkar, Fr. Sunil Ranjar SJ , delivered the vote of thanks and  lauded  the  wholehearted  support  and  availability of  the members. Br Rockwin with his lively humour compered the program and kept the audience in high spirits. All joyfully praised the Almighty singing “Laudate Dominum”.