Pritesh Prabhune
VIRAR, JULY 22, 2008: It was a pleasure for of us at Resurrection Parish, Virar, to have Fr. Ivo Coelho, our former Provincial, in our midst once again on Sunday, July 20. His warm and cheerful disposition, combined with his approachability, always makes him a welcome visitor! This visit was special because it gave the parishioners the opportunity to thank Fr. Ivo for the help and support which he extended to the parish when he was Provincial. Addressing the parishioners in his homily during the Mass, Fr. Ivo pointed out that we should feel strong and secure in the loving care of our Heavenly Father. We often wish the world was free of the many negative elements we see all around us, but we need to be patient, knowing that God will take care of it in his own time. At the end of the Mass, Ms. Helen Fernandes, speaking on behalf of the parishioners, thanked Fr. Ivo for his unstinted support to the parish, in good times and especially in difficult times. Fr. Ivo then inaugurated the new volleyball court in the parish campus. Speaking to the youth, he expressed his hope that they excel in sports and that they enjoy being in the parish campus. Thanks to Fr. Edwin Colaco and the youth coordinators who worked hard to get this court ready. On the same day, the parish had its first training programme for the Zonal Coordinators, Community Coordinators and Animators of the Small Christian Communities. Mrs. Donna Prabhune, one of our own parishioners, was the resource person for the occasion. The parish has 8 communities in 33 clusters and it was very heartening to see that there was 98 percent attendance, including 5 prospective animators, for this training programme. Surely and steadily, the vibrancy and momentum is picking up, thanks to the sincere efforts and staunch support of the Parish Team – Fr. Blanny Pinto and Fr. Edwin Colaco.