MARCH-APRIL 2025
Way of the Cross
On 23rd March 2025, Crusaders from Goa organised the Way of the Cross in their respective zones, Vasco, Panjim, and Margao. In Vasco, the Way of the Cross was organised at Chicalim Church, in Panjim at the Panjim Church, and in Margao, at the Holy Spirit Church. In each of the three zones, the members of the various ministries of the ACJM (the Advanced Crusaders Ministry, the Intercession Ministry, the Youth Ministry, the Music Ministry, the Christ Every Home Crusader Ministry, Young Married Hearts, the Teens Cell, the Kids Cell) took turns in conducting the different parts of the devotion of the Way of the Cross.
Vasco Zone: St. Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim
Panjim Zone: Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim
Margao Zone: Holy Spirit Church, Margao
Lenten Retreats
Every year, the Crusaders are invited to conduct retreats during the Lenten Season in various parishes all over Goa. A team consisting of praise & worship leaders, preachers, those giving testimonies, choir members, etc. is deployed in the parish that has asked for a retreat. The elements that make up the entire retreat include praise and worship sessions, testimonies, Word of God, skits, adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, healing and infilling sessions. In particular, the in-depth preaching of the Word of God and the variety of life-conversion testimonies of the Crusaders contribute to a rich experience for those taking part in the retreats. This year, the Crusaders were invited to conduct Lenten retreats in the following parishes:
Mae de Deus Church, Saligao (24th to 26th March 2025)
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel, Mungul (27th to 29th March)
St. Sebastian Church, Canaguinim (4th and 5th April 2025)
Day-long Program for Members of the Advanced Crusaders Ministry (ACM)
The Crusaders above 50+ years in age - the Advanced Crusaders - had a fantastic, day-long program at Pallotti Home on Sunday, 30th March 2025. The program drew a crowd of 110 persons - all bustling with the joy of the spiritual fellowship, group discussions, music & unwinding sessions, testimonies, Praise & Worship, and Preaching. As one, they took their meals together and also in the Holy Mass & the Way of the Cross. Many new people attended and expressed a desire to be part of the ACM. It was a scene of joy, as they all rejoiced in the struggles to carry their different Cross-es in life.
Village Outreach Program in Collem, Goa
One of the areas of mass evangelisation work of the Crusaders is organising outreach programs in remote villages. 'Village Campaign' is a term commonly used by the Crusaders while referring to such programs. Over the years, many village campaigns have been organised in Goa and even in other states of India, the furthest being the Northeast. A compact team of around 15-20 persons, generally consisting of youth and married people, is selected. These 15-20 persons belong to the various ministries of the ACJM. The team is faced with the task of going into different localities of the village, visiting homes in each locality, conducting a short program in that locality, and then organising a common retreat for all the people at the main church on the last day.
This time, a team of 18 Crusaders was camped at the Colem village in Sanguem Taluk in South Goa, from 8th to 13th April 2025. There are about 320 families in the village, distributed over 8 localities (commonly known as waddos).
The team members would spend the first half of the day in personal prayer, celebration of the Holy Mass, group prayers, sharing the Word of God, evaluation, and briefing. There was also time for fellowship.
Evening would be the time for going out in the waddos. Each waddo was covered on a scheduled day. After visiting the families in a waddo, an evening program would be held in a chapel tied to that waddo. The evening program would consist of praise and worship, testimonies, a live skit, preaching of the Word of God, and a healing session. At the end of the program, a call would be given to the people of that waddo to watch a film on the life of Jesus on the following day and then to attend the day-long retreat at the main church on 13th April 2025.
DAY 1:
Waddo: Cansavli
Date: 8th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Cansavli Chapel
DAY 1:
Waddo: Cazumoll
Date: 8th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Cazumoll Chapel
DAY 2:
Waddo: Metawaddo
Date: 9th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Metawaddo Chapel
DAY 2:
Waddo: Mollem
Date: 10th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Mollem Chapel
DAY 3:
Waddo: Shigao
Date: 11th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Shigao Chapel
DAY 3:
Waddo: Pimpollmoll
Date: 10th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Metawaddo Chapel
DAY 4:
Waddo: Kallay
Date: 11th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Kallay Chapel
DAY 5:
Waddo: Sectors 1-4
Date: 12th April 2025
Waddo Program held at: Collem Church
DAY 6:
Day-long Retreat at O.L. of Piety Church, Collem
Date: 13th April 2025
Like the seventy-two men mentioned in Luke 10:17, the team members returned home victorious and full of joy. The few days of staying together, praying together, eating together, and ministering to the people of God had not only resulted in the strengthening of their faith but also the development of a close bond with one another.
Seminar on Career Guidance
A seminar on career guidance was organised by the Crusaders at St. John Paul Complex in Borda, Margao on 14th April 2025. The seminar was mainly for students who had passed their SSC and HSSC exams. However, other students also attended. Unlike the regular career guidance seminars that are focused entirely on the career aspect, this seminar also emphasised the importance of seeking God's will through prayer and spiritual counselling.
