NT NETWORK
VASCO
The Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filip Neri Ferrao has appealed to the people to spread the message of brotherhood in society, thereby living a peaceful life in communal harmony.
Archbishop Ferrao was speaking after the inauguration of the newly extended and renovated Our Lady of Health Church at Sindolim, Sancoale on Saturday evening in the presence of parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church Sancoale Fr Louis Alvares, parish priest of Bambolim Fr Alban Fernandes, Fr Martin Dourado, Fr Valeriano Vaz, Fr Simon Fernandes besides Fr Eremito Rebello, Fr Roque Da Costa, Fr Saturnino Colaco and Fr Mariano Dias. The function was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Alina Saldanha, Cortalim Zilla Panchayat member Anthony Vaz and Sancoale Village Panchayat sarpanch Ramakant Borkar.
Archbishop Ferrao said that “May 21 is a historical day for Sancoalkars as their long pending dream of renovation of Our Lady of Health Church has been fulfilled”. He congratulated the parishioners and parish priest Fr Alvares for their tireless service. On the occasion, a souvenir was released at the hands of Archbishop Ferrao.
Our Lady of Health Church was a chapel founded in 1783 and elevated to a church in 1839. The Church has been extended after 117 years. Two ex- parish priests had initiated steps to extend the church, but were unsuccessful due to circumstances beyond their control. Parish priest Fr Louis Alvares was ultimately successful in making the dream of all Sancoalkars come true.
The budgetary expenditure of over Rs 2 crore appeared to be a distant possibility for the parishioners, who were apprehensive that their efforts would be in vain for the third time. However, Fr Alvares gained their confidence and got the work done.
The old building could accommodate only 200 to 300 parishioners, while the new structure, which is more elaborate, can accommodate 700 to 800 parishioners with ease. Incidentally, the parish of Sancoale has completed 410 years this year.