The World Day of the Grandparents and the Elderly was marked with a difference in St Francis Xavier Parish, Duler on Sunday, July 28, 2024 as part of its Decennial Celebrations and in keeping with its Parish Pastoral Vision: “Rooted in Christ, towards a Community of Hope and Love”. The program, consisting of two parts, was focused on communicating care and empowering the Grandparents and Elders or Senior Citizens above the age of 60.
The morning part of the program began with the Mass based on the theme of Pope’s message for the day viz., “Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71, 9). The Catechism Children and the Youth participated in the Mass to thank God for the Gift of their Grandparents and the Elders. After a meaningful Eucharistic celebration, the Grandparents and the Elders proceeded to the Hall for a unique program titled “Senior Citizens’ Empowerment Program”.
The highlight of this largely attended morning program were the four very informative and empowering Input sessions on the following topics: Various Government Schemes for the Senior Citizens, the functioning of the All-Goa Senior Citizens Federation, Police-Senior Citizens-Community Connect for Effective Policing and the Constitutional Provisions and Legislative Rights of Senior Citizens in India as per the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 and Goa Rules 2009. Mr. Antonio Joao Fernandes, Social Worker and Ex-Sarpanch of Cortalim, Mr. Dattaprakash Kavlekar, President of Bardez Unit of the All-Goa Senior Citizens Federation, Mr. Bablo Parab, PSI, Mapusa Police Station, and Mr. Braz Menezes, DySP, SP Office, North Goa were the resource persons, respectively.
The program also consisted of a question-answer session, interspersed with a meaningful skit and entertaining songs and dance by the Parish Youth Group. The Seniormost Citizens from about 14 Wards/SCCs of the Parish were symbolically felicitated on behalf of the Community by the Chief Guest, DySP Mr. Braz Menezes, who is also a ‘son of the soil’ from Mapusa. The program was aptly compered by Ms Maryjane De Sousa. Those who contributed to the success of the program, including the sponsors, were profusely thanked by Maryanne De Souza. As an intended fruit of the program, about 40 people willingly registered to be part of the to-be-formed Parish Senior Citizens Forum. The program ended with a simple but delicious fellowship meal for about 200 people who were present.
The morning part of the program was ably coordinated by the Social Apostolate Cell, led by Mrs. Rekha Mendes, along with the Parish Youth Group and other Associations of the parish and came in for high praise by the Senior Citizens and resource persons for its meticulous planning and smooth execution. There were tears of joy on the faces of many senior citizens, some of whom even came on wheelchairs, for the meaningful, touching and empowering program.
The evening part of the program consisted of ‘Care Visits’ to those Grandparents and Elders who are living alone. The Family Apostolate Cell members along with the respective members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Small Christian Community as well as the children and youth of the Vaddos visited those Seniors living alone. They spent some time with them communicating care and sharing with them some tokens of appreciation, including beautiful Appreciation Cards prepared by the Catechism Children with those visited deeply touched and overwhelmed by feelings of profound joy and happiness. This evening part of the Program was efficiently coordinated by the Family Apostolate Cell of the Parish led by Mrs. Larissa Rodrigues.
The Executive Committee of the Parish Pastoral Council, headed by the Parish Priest, inspired and guided both the Parish Cells, the Social Apostolate and the Family Apostolate, to make this day truly meaningful and memorable for the Grandparents and the Elders of the Parish so as to truly grow as a Community of Hope and Love.
Report sent by:
Mrs. Larissa Rodrigues
PPC Moderator, SFX Church, Duler
