The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman joyfully celebrated the Jubilee of Social Communications on October 12, 2025, across Goa, with special Media Missions organized simultaneously at Caranzalem and Dramapur parishes.
A solemn celebration was held at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Caranzalem, at 9:30 a.m., presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes. The event coincided with the parish feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, making it a day of double rejoicing for the faithful of Caranzalem.
The special event, organized by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media and the Parish of Caranzalem, began with a warm welcome to Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes. The felicitation ceremony was led by Fr. Barry Cardozo, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, who felicitated Bishop Simião Fernandes, Parish Priest Fr. Pio Almeida, Assistant Parish Priests Fr. Jonas D’Souza and Fr. Joism de Souza, and Mrs. Nita Fleming, a dedicated member of the diocesan communication team.
In his homily, Bishop Simião Fernandes reflected on the twin significance of the day — the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Jubilee of Social Communications Media. He emphasized that Mother Mary serves as a model of true communication, inspiring all to communicate with sincerity, faith, and compassion.
The Bishop highlighted five dimensions of Mary’s communication:
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Communication through words
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Communication through good deeds
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Communication through thoughts
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Communication through silence
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Communication through fellowship and companionship
He urged the faithful to become messengers of hope within their families, parishes, and small Christian communities. Reflecting on the power of the Rosary, he said that the Rosary is a beautiful instrument that helps us communicate with God through prayer. He further encouraged everyone to use modern media — mobile phones, television, the internet, and print — to spread messages of hope.
A heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Nita Fleming on behalf of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications. With a touch of faith, she remarked that sometimes it feels as though the Holy Spirit must also have a social media account because He keeps sending messages every moment of every day. Mrs. Fleming echoed the words inspired by Pope Francis, reminding all that true communication builds bridges — from screen to heart, and from heart to Christ.
She expressed gratitude to His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, for his guidance and leadership; to Bishop Simião Fernandes for presiding over the Eucharist and for his constant encouragement and support; to Fr. Pio Almeida for his generous collaboration in organizing the Media Mission sessions in the parish, which helped people think critically and act wisely while engaging with different forms of media and information; and to Fr. Jonas D’Souza and Fr. Joism de Souza for their timely help and support.
The Jubilee celebration, which marked the culmination of a ten-day media education programme organized by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media in Caranzalem Parish under Fr. Pio Almeida and in Dramapur Parish under Fr. Pascoal Afonso, served as a profound reminder that authentic communication — inspired by Mary and guided by the Holy Spirit — continues to be a mission of faith, connection, and hope in today’s digital world.
Finally, Bishop Simião Fernandes congratulated the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media for reaching out to people across Goa with the aim of empowering, educating, and inspiring them in the use of media.
