By Sr Molly Fernandes SFN

Nagoa-Verna, Aug 31: Kiran Niketan Social Centre, Birla, Zuari-Nagar, under the leadership of directress Sr Jeryssa Pereira, and Sr Lourenca Marques, in collaboration with Goa Jesuit Social Action, Fr Joseph Nazareth, hosted a full-day community event tailored for migrant and Adivasi women working across Goa, on August 30, at Our Lady of Succour and Good Success Church and St Joseph Convent High School Ground, Nagoa-Verna. The event aimed to nurture spiritual growth, legal awareness, and sportsmanship, bringing together diverse migrant communities for a day of shared joy, empowerment, and fraternity.

The day’s proceedings commenced with the Eucharistic celebration in Hindi at Our Lady of Succour and Good Success Church, Nagoa-Verna, presided over by Fr Joseph Nazareth, SJ. In his homily, Fr Nazareth delivered an inspiring sermon tailored to the realities of the migrant and Adivasi communities.

Listening with Intention: Fr Nazareth reminded the congregation that coming to church is about opening one's heart to receive the Word of God with intention, unlike seeking material goods in a market.

Denying self and gaining the soul: Drawing from the Gospel reflection where Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah yet resists His sacrifice, the sermon emphasized aligning human thoughts with God’s will. Citing Saint Francis Xavier's famous principle, he asked: "What does it profit a person to gain the whole world if they lose their soul?"

Carrying one's cross: Through the illustration of choosing a cross, he reminded the congregation that while life brings inevitable trials, true strength lies in taking up one’s burdens and following Christ.

Core virtues of the migrant community: Fr Nazareth commended the migrant and Adivasi women for demonstrating three core virtues in their daily lives:

Sacrifice: Leaving homes and familiar surroundings to work hard for the health, education, and advancement of their families.

Resilience and courage: Approaching hard labour without fear, maintaining a steadfast resolve to learn and press forward.

Service and humility: Serving others faithfully, even from a position of hardship, which brings true spiritual strength.

Saintly inspiration: Highlighting the unceasing prayers of St. Monica for her son St. Augustine, the sermon concluded with a call to love and serve others with humility while trusting God for peace and strength.

Following a short refreshment break, an interactive legal awareness session was conducted by Adv Sayonara Telles-Laad (Former district and sessions judge, founder and president of Beyond Barriers – Towards Hope, legal consultant, mediator, and POSH trainer).

Adv Telles-Laad briefed the participants on critical legal rights, child protection frameworks (including the POCSO Act and Children's Court procedures), free legal aid access, and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) at the workplace. Using an engaging, conversational approach with frequent checks for understanding, she made complex legal safeguards accessible to all present.

At the conclusion of the session, Fr Joseph Nazareth, SJ expressed gratitude to Adv Telles-Laad and the distinguished guests for dedicating their Sunday to empower the community.

Following lunch, participants gathered at the St Joseph Convent High School Ground in Nagoa-Verna for the women’s (Migrants) throwball tournament and tiebreaker match. A total of seven teams of the Migrant and Adivasi Group and Holy Family Sisters competed in the tournament, representing various local regions and communities: Consua, Verna, Cansaulim, Velsao, Sancoale, Panjim, Dona Paula, Holy Family Sisters.

The games were witnessed by notable dignitaries, including Sr Berna Rodrigues, SFN (Superior general of the Holy Family Sisters), Fr Joseph Nazareth, SJ, Nathan Menezes and his family, Holy Family Sisters and other distinguished guests.

The tournament offered an energetic space for the migrant and Adivasi women who contribute significantly to the Goan workforce and society to step into the spotlight, showcase their athletic talents, and build camaraderie. Trophies were presented to the winning and runner-up teams amid enthusiastic celebration. The throwball trophy was carried away by the Velsao Group, while the Verna group was satisfied with being the runner-up. The tiebreaker trophy was lifted by the Sancoale group, while the Holy Family sisters took the runner-up spot.

Nathan applauded the winners and encouraged the energetic and vibrant women whose energy on the ground shook the surroundings. Sr Berna too empowered the women with her words of wisdom and resilience.

This first-of-its-kind initiative provided a comprehensive platform for spiritual enrichment, legal education, and community integration. The event successfully brought together disparate migrant groups across Goa to celebrate unity, strength, and mutual support. The efforts of the Kiran Niketan Social Centre and Goa Jesuit Social Action were widely appreciated by all present.