St. Anthony Church Siolim
A WARM WELCOME
It gives me immense joy to join you as your pastor leading this renowned Parish of St. Anthony, Siolim, along with my close collaborators, to greater spiritual heights. Hence, I greet all of you with fraternal love! In our times the immense gift that the Creator has bestowed upon us is none other than the privilege of communicating to one another at the pace of the “speed of light.” Within no seconds we are connected to each other in any remote part of the world and remain updated of all the news and happenings on account of the internet facilities. That is why the entire universe has been reduced to a“global village” and everyone experiences the closest of proximity when communicating with others who are miles and miles away from us. In this most challenging period of Covid-19
Fr. Socorro Mendes
Parish Priest
St. Anthony Church Siolim
Our Profound Gratitude
The Late Mr. Sebastian Lazaro Florentino D’Cruz once wrote in one of his books, “ Just as all Goenkars have a taste for their rice and curry so also all Catholics love their village church. But my love to my church trancends far beyond this saying.” Following in the footsteps of his ancestors who had been working in our Siolim Church as Sacristians, he too dedicated 10 years of service as a Sacristian from 1945 to 1955.
Good morning and wish you a glorious Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus! ( Mt 3, 13-17)
Jesus, after having spent 30 silent years in the far-off & half-pagan city of Galilee, enters the river bank of Jordan (Jordan in Hebrew means the one who comes down). He, in fact, takes upon Himself the sin of "humankind" symbolising the abyss of abasement. It is the "kenosis" of which St. Paul speaks. He was plunged into the waters only to raise Himself nigh up to be filled with the Holy Spirit & experience the "theophany" of God who would declare Him as His BELOVED, Son with whom He is pleased.
Do l realise that l too am made His beloved son/daughter & lifted up from the abyss of sin to the divine dignity of being His beloved child?