The Parish Priest's Letter.

A mother of a 20 years old youth was getting depressed because of her only son who had gone astray. She prayed for the reform of her son, attended several healing services and retreats all in vain; the boy continued living astray. To crown it all, her husband too blamed his wife saying that she mothered and pampered him excessively causing him to go astray. It is then that this mother tried to find solace in the Word of God namely the passage of the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthans.(1 Cor. 13:4-7) “Love is patient and kind,love is not jealous or boastful ... She read and pondered over the passage daily until it dawned on her that, as parents neither she nor her husband really understood the problems their son faced at a crucial age. Their son needed love in understanding, not futile corrections and cheap advice with a number of dos and don’ts. He had to be appreciated for the good he displayed rather than be condemned for every mistake he made. He wanted to share his problems without being told how to handle them. He sought for an assurance from loving parents rather than to live in fear and dependence on them.

When the parents’ attitudes changed to resignation, tolerance, acceptance, assurance and love the son surprisingly embraces them saying: “I love you mum and dad. The young son experienced a parenting love.

The Pastoral letter, this year, by our Archbishop Patriarch is addressed to the youth of this Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. It is innovative for the fact one section of the people of God - the youth - has been made the focus of the guiding words of our Pastor.

His Excellency writes to them saying: “SHINE LIKE STARS IN THE WORLD” Being this year dedicated to the youth at large, I would request our catholic youth of Mapusa parish to come together and form a Mapusa Parish Youth Association which has to be registered as one of the Association of the Archdiocesan Youth Centre, Panaji. There will be a motivating talk for those youth who wish to form a fresh C.P.Y.A Mapusa. The talk is scheduled for July 12, 2009. Mapusa Church Hall at 10.00 a.m.

It is my earnest request that those youth who wish to attend the talk given by Mr. Allan Pinto give their names in the Church Office by July 10th and to enable us to organize the programme.

With best wishes to all and especial graces and blessings to our young parishioners (boys & girls) from Mapusa Parish ,

I remain,

Fr. Francisco De Mello,
Parish Priest.