Team Goemkarponn
CARANZALEM: The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman joyfully marked the Jubilee of Social Communications on Sunday, with simultaneous celebrations held across Goa — notably at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Caranzalem, and Dramapur Parish.
A solemn Eucharistic celebration at Caranzalem was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes, and coincided with the parish feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, making the day doubly significant for the local faithful.
The special event was jointly organized by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media (DCSCM) and the Parish of Caranzalem. A welcome and felicitation ceremony preceded the Mass, during which Fr. Barry Cardozo, Director of the DCSCM, felicitated Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes, Fr. Pio Almeida (Parish Priest), Fr. Jonas D’Souza, Fr. Joism de Souza (Assistant Parish Priests), and Mrs. Nita Fleming, a long-serving member of the diocesan communication team.
In his homily, Bishop Fernandes reflected on the twin themes of the day — the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Jubilee of Social Communications — urging the faithful to emulate Mary as a model of true communication. He highlighted five dimensions of Mary’s communication: through words, good deeds, thoughts, silence, and fellowship.
“The Rosary is a beautiful instrument that helps us communicate with God through prayer,” Bishop Fernandes said, encouraging the congregation to use modern media — from mobile phones to television and the internet — to spread messages of hope, compassion, and truth.
A heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Nita Fleming, who remarked humorously, “Sometimes I think the Holy Spirit must also have a social media account, because He keeps sending messages every moment of every day.” Quoting Pope Francis, she reminded those present that “True communication builds bridges — from screen to heart, and from heart to Christ.”
Mrs. Fleming expressed gratitude to His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, for his leadership; to Bishop Simião Fernandes for his encouragement; and to Fr. Pio Almeida for organizing the media mission sessions that helped parishioners engage critically and responsibly with various forms of media.
The Jubilee celebration marked the culmination of a ten-day media education programme conducted by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media at Caranzalem under Fr. Pio Almeida and at Dramapur under Fr. Pascoal Afonso.
Bishop Fernandes commended the DCSCM team for their efforts in empowering, educating, and inspiring people across Goa to use media as a force for good. The celebration served as a reminder that authentic communication — inspired by Mary and guided by the Holy Spirit — remains a mission of faith, connection, and hope in today’s digital age.
