Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: The annual feast of St. Anthony, traditionally celebrated on the third Sunday of January, was observed with deep devotion and fervour at St. Anthony Church, reinforcing values of peace, compassion, unity and respect for religious traditions.
Hundreds of parishioners, along with residents from Poinguinim and Loliem–Polem villages across Canacona taluka, gathered to take part in the celebrations. Established in 1824, St. Anthony Church at Galgibhaga is dedicated to St. Anthony, its patron saint. The feast is traditionally held on the Sunday following the annual feast of St. Thereza of Jesus Church at Chaudi, which falls on the second Sunday of January.
The solemn High Mass on Sunday was ceremoniously attended by the Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Arts & Culture and Tribal Welfare and MLA of Canacona, Ramesh Tawadkar, along with Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas. Also present were newly elected Zilla Panchayat member from Poinguinim Ajit (Ajay) Lolienkar and the minister’s personal secretary Sidharth Desai.
The dignitaries attended the Holy Mass on a special invitation extended by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Agnelo Gomes. Notably, MLA Venzy Viegas shares a close family connection with Galgibhaga as its son-in-law, while Minister Tawadkar hails from the parent village of Poinguinim.
A statement issued from the minister’s office noted that the presence of the two MLAs added grace to the occasion and symbolised unity, mutual respect for religious traditions and a strong commitment to fostering communal harmony.
“The Feast of St. Anthony continues to inspire values of peace, compassion and togetherness among the faithful and the wider community,” the statement added.
