Minutes of the 9TH INDIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL
MEET AT CARITAS, panaji, goa
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The
9th National Council of the World Apostolate of Fatima was held at Caritas Holiday Home, St. Inez Panaji Goa on the 18th November 2015 (Wed)
presided over by the WAF Indian National Ecclesiastical Advisor Most Rev. Peter Machado Bishop of Belgaum. Also present was Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao, Arunachal
Pradesh. A record of 3 Bishops, 39 delegates [Priests, Religious], 12
observers, including 34 priests from 22 dioceses, 5 Sisters of different
congregations and 112 local WAF members
attended. Total 163 attended. The Dioceses are Belgaum, Ahmadabad, Baroda,
Bombay, Calcutta, Chennai, Karwar, Raiganj, Kurnool AP, Miao AP, Meerut,
Khandwa, Dindigul TN, Kottayam, Agra, Bathery, Bellary, Warangal TN,
Sindhudurg, Mangalore, New Delhi and Goa.
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The
meeting began at 8 am with the choir singing the hymn: Oh, Come to the Throne…….. Mrs. Celina Caldeira led the Glorious
mysteries of the Rosary followed Salve Regina. Dr. Celcio Dias, International
Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Indian National Centre, made a power point presentation
on the “National Centre Report. The Chairman
Anthony Viegas also presented a talk on the “Message
of Fatima”.
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The
Inaugural function, as rescheduled began
with our National Ecclesiastical Advisor Most Rev. Peter Machado announcing
that the Mother of Jesus has come to
this place. Let us give her a warm welcome. The choir sang the hymn Ave Maria Gratia Plena. Our Chairman
Anthony Viegas recited a short prayer “Blessed
are you, O Mary, for the World’s Salvation came forth from you; Now in glory
you rejoice forever with the Lord. Intercede for us with your Son”. Bishop
Peter Machado then Crowned the Statue of Our
Lady and placed a Rosary in Her hands. At the lighting
of the lamp Chairman Anthony Viegas recited the prayer Jesus said “I am the light of the World. Whoever
follows me, will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness”
[Jn.8:12]. Bishop Peter Machado and
Bishop George Pallipparambil, Goa Unit Spiritual Advisor Fr Conceicao D’Silva, National
Chairman Fr Sunny, National Vice Chairman Fr Callistus Fernandes, National
Treasurer Fr Alphy D’Silva and other dignitaries lit the lamp.
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Prayer for
Canonization of Francisco and Jacinta and Prayer for Beatification of Servant
of God Lucia was recited by Mary Rama Rao. The choir sang the International WAF hymn to Our Lady of
Fatima. After the Introduction by Francis
Barreto National Center Coordinator, the dignitaries were welcomed with a bouquet
of flowers, while the delegates and observers were each given a rose. Bishop Peter
released a book called “An Evening with
Jesus and Mary” written by Francis Barreto.. Bishop George Pallipparambil of
Miao, later gave away certificates of “Love
and Admiration”.
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In
his address, Bishop Peter mentioned that the
spirituality of Our Lady of Fatima is that of the Most Holy Trinity. We must
take forward our mission of New Evangelization. He listed 5 perspectives and 7
weapons for us especially Priests to start and use for spiritual warfare.
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This
was followed by the hymn: Mother of mine.
A well wisher gifted a projector along with a screen which has helped our
Apostolate to give power point presentations of the various talks. After the
tea break the choir sang the hymn: Ave
Maria, Gratia Plena. Rev Fr M V. Sunny, National Chairman of the National
Center presented, the Communion of Reparation of “The Five First
Saturdays” giving example of how most of the Parishes do this in his
Diocese. Mr. Francis S. Barreto, coordinator
spoke on “the Pledge and Consecration”,
followed by the hymn: Holy Virgin, by
God’s Decree.
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A
well prepared power presentation was done by Lester De Mello on “The Scapular of Our Lady”. The choir sang the hymn Immaculate Mary. Rev Fr Conceicao D’Silva Our Spiritual Advisor
gave a powerful talk on “Healing through the
Eucharist” He explained that he has witnessed many healings at his
retreats. He attributes these healings to those who surrender themselves to
Jesus. The Hymn “Mary How Beautiful Thy
Name”, was sung. Then the Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Duler
Fr Peter da Gama gave a beautiful talk on the life
of St Joesph Vaz. He is the first Goan Saint to be canonized last
January. Mrs Sacramenta De Mello recited the Angelus and also the Grace before
meals.
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During
the lunch break the choir sang hymns to Mother Mary. Soon after lunch break, Hail Mary Gentle Woman was sung. All
delegates then assembled together in a workshop.
The interaction centered on the topics about starting a WAF cell and starting
the First Saturday devotion in the Parishes, by getting like minded Marian
priests together, using the Statue Program, etc. It lasted 45 min, time of
views and ideas on how the delegates would go about in spreading Our Lady’s
Message at the earliest as preparation for the Centenary of 2017. Certain
background on Our Lady of Fatima to the delegates was needed before this.
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Lester
Rodrigues gave a power point presentation on “Power
of the Rosary” and how he goes about spreading the First Saturday’s in
Parishes. At 3’ O Clock Prayer and Chaplet of Divine
Mercy was recited by Julius Fernandes followed by the hymn, I will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord.
9.0
The
choir then sang the hymn “Come Holy
Spirit”, invoking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the election of
the National Council. Francis Barreto, presiding officer conducted elections to
the Indian National Executive Board of Trustees pursuant to the
Statutes. Nominations were called and
public voting was preferred over secret ballot. Many of the delegates felt that
the present board should continue as most of the delegates had attended for the
first time and the present board did not do anything for past 3 years. A debate
followed trying to solve the issue. Fr Joel Pais raised a point that the rules
for conducting the elections were not correct or was not being followed and
there was no copy of the National statutes in the folder provided. Dr Celcio
was quick to resolve the matter and explained everything by reading the
articles from the National Statutes on Elections. The matter was cleared and
the elections proceeded uninterrupted. Nominations were called out seconded, and
declared elected. It was also decided as a special intervention by Bishop Peter
to co-opt 5 members to assist the new Executive Board since time was short for
the Centenary preparations.
The following members were
elected:-
National
Executive Board Chairman:
Fr M V Sunny, Raiganj diocese was reluctant to accept the post initially but
was persuaded to continue. He was nominated by Mr. James Lingam seconded by Fr Matthew Kannalayi along with
29 delegates unanimously approved..
National
Executive Board Vice Chairman: Fr Calistus Fernandes did not accept the post
as he was not sure of being in his present Parish after one year. This was
accepted by the delegates.
Dr
Celcio Dias, Goa Archdiocese, nominated by Fr Leo Michael, accepted,
seconded by Fr Henry Saldanha along with 33 delegates unanimously approved..
National
Executive Board Secretary: Mr. Anthony R V Viegas of Goa,
accepted
willingly, and unanimously approved by the remaining delegates.
National
Executive Board Treasurer: Fr
Alphy D’Silva of Karwar accepted
willingly, unanimously approved by the remaining delegates.
Co-opted
Members : James
Lingam Calcutta, Mrs Carmelina Vaz Karjat Bombay, Fr Lawrence Rayappan Meerut
U.P., Fr Francis D'Souza
Mangalore and Fr John Charuvilla
Batheri Kerala.
The newly elected office bearers spoke
briefly declaring their intent to work zealously this time to spread the
Message of Fatima.
The Fatima farewell hymn was sung after the tea
break.
The Holy
Hour began at 4.35pm and was lead by Mrs Raynor D. Viegas, Mrs Ludmila
Malhotra, and Julius.Fernandes.
After the Holy hour Francis Barreto spoke
in brief in brief the Centennial celebrations,
while Aflie [Alfond silveira] a well known composer and producer of plays gave
a short power point presentation of the play called
“Ave Maria” he has prepared
for the Centennial celebrations in 2016-17.
The choir
consisted of Twinney and Melinda Botelho on the Keyboard/Guitar, vocals
Euthemia, Deolinda, Sylvia Monteiro, Solano, Cheryl, Ludmila and Anthony.
Our Archbishop
Patriarch of Goa Daman Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao arrived and the traditional welcome hymn was
sung.
Bishop
Peter was the main celebrant at Holy Mass concelebrated by Bishop George Pallipparambil and Archbishop
Patriach Filipe Neri Ferrao. Archbishop Ferrao gave his message at the end. The vote
of thanks was given by Anthony R. V. Viegas Chairman of the WAF Goa
unit.
The delegates and observers and some
of the WAF members joined together for a short entertainment in song and dance
as is customery in our Goan culture. Dinner followed at 8.30pm.
The incoming Indian
National Executive Board then had their first meeting in the conference hall.
On the next day, 19th November 2015 (Thur), after
breakfast the delegates proceeded to Sancoale by bus to the sanctuary of St.
Joseph Vaz and 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 St Joseph Vaz and also visited the Se Cathedral..
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PREPARED BY:-
___________________
(Mr.
Anthony R V Viegas)
National
Executive Board Secretary
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APPROVED BY:-
___________________
(Rev.
Fr. M V Sunny)
National
Executive Board Chairman
__________________
(Dr
Celcio Dias)
National Executive Board Vice
Chairman
|
_______________
(Fr
Alphy D’Silva)
National
Executive Board Treasurer
_________________
(Fr
Francis D’Souza )
Member
|
|
|
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__________________
(Fr
Lawrence Rayappan)
Member
__________________
(Mr
James Lingam)
Member
|
____________________
(Fr
John Charuvilla )
Member
_______________
(Mrs
Carmelina Vaz)
Member
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Minutes and elected
Indian National Executive Board of Trustees confirmed and approved by
_____________________
Dated: ______________
(+ Bishop Peter Machado)
Bishop of Belgaum and Indian
National Ecclesiastical Advisor of the WAF
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