MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023
FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATION OF THE ACJM
It has been 26 long years since the actual founding of the ACJM. Every year on 3rd March, the Crusaders from various zones gather together to commemorate the Foundation Day of the ACJM. However, this year the Crusaders had the Foundation Day celebration on 28th February 2023 in their respective zones, Vasco, Panjim and Margao. In each of the zones, there was Holy Mass celebrated followed by a brief session of fellowship.
In Vasco, the Foundation Day celebration was held at Pallotti Home Chicalim.
The Crusaders from the Panjim zone had their celebration at St. Inez Church in Panjim
In Margao, the Foundation Day celebration was at Lar de Sta. Therese, Pajifond-Margao
INNER HEALING RETREAT FOR THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
The Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) is an international Congregation of nun sisters who care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service which they have received from their founder St. Jeanne Jugan. In India itself, there are 14 Homes spread all across the country. An online Inner Healing Retreat based on the life of Joseph of the Old Testament was organised by the Crusaders for the LSP sisters on 27th February and 1st March 2023.
MONTH OF MARCH 2023
CONCLAVE FOR THE LEADERSHIP CADRES OF THE ACJM
The leading cadres of the ACJM from all three zones, Vasco, Panjim and Margao gathered together for a formation conclave in South Goa from 3rd to 5th March 2023. Such leading cadres are steps away from being part of the zonal leadership of the ACJM. The spiritual formation provided at conclaves like these prepares the leading cadres to finally commit themselves to live according to the Rules, spirituality and community life of the ACJM for the rest of their lives.
1-DAY PROGRAM FOR LEADING MEMBERS OF THE WIDOWS MINISTRY
On 7th March 2023, the leading members of the Widows Ministry of the ACJM gathered together for a 1-day program consisting of fellowship, meditating on the Word of God and planning for an upcoming orientation program for widows. Regular meetings, in-depth Word of God and fellowship with one another have enabled these leading members to recognise Jesus as their Bridegroom. The grief is gone, and the joy has come. They have taken upon themselves the mission of reaching out to other widows and sharing with them too, the secret of their new-found joy.
ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR WIDOWS
The Crusaders conducted an orientation program for widows of the Taleigao Parish at St. Michael's Church in Taleigao on 11th March 2023. The leading members of the Widows Ministry of the ACJM were actively involved in conducting the program, which included praise and worship, inspiring testimonies, preaching of the Word of God, video presentations and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
VILLAGE OUTREACH PROGRAM IN VADDEM, SANGUEM
On 12th March, a team consisting of 17 Crusaders from Vasco, Panjim, Margao and Ponda, set out to conduct an outreach program in Vaddem village in Sanguem taluka of Goa. The church there is named Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The team was faced with the huge task of reaching out to the Catholic population spread across the entire village.
The village of Vaddem is further subdivided into what is known as 'waddos'. There are six such waddos namely Vichundrem, Curpem, Neturlim, Colony 1, Colony 2&3 and Vailan Bhati where Catholic families are residing. Each day, the team would cover one waddo. The day would begin with morning prayers, the celebration of the Holy Mass and then setting out two-by-two to visit the families.
Upon entering a house, the team members would spend time with the family members, enquire about them, pray with them and finally give a call to attend the program in the evening at a common meeting point in the waddo. Having completed all the visits, the team members would then gear up for conducting the waddo program. The waddo program consisted of praise and worship, a street play, testimonies, brief preaching of the Word of God, and a prayer of healing. At the end of the program, a call would be given to every one to attend the retreat on the final day in the main church in Vaddem.
Waddo Program in Vichundrem Waddo:
Waddo Program in Curpem Waddo:
Waddo Program in Neturlim Waddo:
Waddo Program in Colony 2&3:
Waddo Program in Colony 1:
After each waddo program, a film on the life of Jesus in Konkani language would be shown in the same waddo on the following day. It was a pleasant sight to see people of all age groups have their eyes glued to the screen. For many who have not had the privilege of learning to read or write, the film was of great help as they were able to understand various events that happened in Jesus' life and which are mentioned in the Gospel of Luke.
On 18th March, the last day of the program, the parishioners from all the surrounding waddos arrived in buses at the main church in Vaddem for a day-long retreat. The retreat set the right tone for the Lenten season. After being deeply convicted in their hearts by the Word of God, the people were seen lining up for confession. Truly, one could sense the Spirit of Jesus moving all around the place, touching the lives of many and inviting them to repent deeply and to believe in God's love for them.
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Having accomplished the task of rekindling a burning flame of love for Jesus in the hearts of the people, the team members returned to their homes filled with great joy and strengthened in the faith. As Jesus said, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." (Acts 20:35).
LENTEN RETREAT AT BAINA CHURCH
The Crusaders conducted a 3-day Lenten retreat at Our Lady of Candelaria Church in Baina on the 24th, 25th and 26th March 2023.
ZONAL MEETINGS OF THE CRUSADERS
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity". (Psalms 133:1). Besides the Word of God and Sacramental life, Christan fellowship is also needed for a person to keep going while on his spiritual journey to being one with God. That is how the Crusaders have not only been held together for 26 long years but have also grown in number. The 2019 pandemic, instead of severing the fellowship element of the ACJM, has only made it stronger. The longing to meet face-to-face again is even more fierce than it was before the pandemic. And this was seen at the recently held zonal meetings in the Vasco, Panjim and Margao zone of the ACJM. The members of the Panjim zone met on 26th March 2023 at St. Inez Church Hall in Panjim. In Vasco the members met together on 28th March 2023 at Pallotti Home in Chicalim. And finally, the members of the Margao zone met together on 30th March at Lar de Sta. Therese, Pajifond in Margao.
The Panjim Zonal Meeting held at St. Inez Church Hall:
The Vasco Zonal Meeting held at Pallotti Home in Chicalim:
The Margao Zonal Meeting held at Lar de Sta. Therese:
MONTH OF APRIL 2023
FOLLOW-UP ORIENTATION SESSION POST VILLAGE CAMPAIGN IN WADDEM, SANGUEM
As a follow-up of the recently held village campaign in Waddem Sanguem, the Crusaders organised a 1-day Orientation Session for selected parishioners of the Waddem Parish on 2nd April, Palm Sunday, in South Goa. Besides praise and worship sessions, testimonies, preaching and the Holy Mass, special counseling was also provided to the participants. The program ended with visiting some of the sites in South Goa linked to the life of St. Joseph Vaz.
CRUSADERS CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY - 16th April 2023
The venue premises at Vasco da Gama, Goa-India, seen in the pics below decked up in the colors of the Divine Mercy, all set to welcome and host the crowds of Crusaders, well-wishers and benefactors of the ACJM, from all over. The event marked to celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy, also coincided with the birthday and wedding anniversary of the Founding Coordinator-General and Spiritual Guide, Br. Edmund Antao. The event commenced with a burst of exuberant joy - a hallmark of the Crusaders when they come together - this time all the more, to celebrate God's Divine Mercy. MC's led the gathering into fellowship, dance, giving fitting praise to God through meaningful skits and worship dance, besides other events put up to add to the beauty of the occasion. It was an evening well spent by the Crusaders - in the company of one another - knowing well that the Lord is very much present in their midst.
