Carmel Fraternity 2016
All the brothers of our province under
the banner Carmel Fraternity 2016 gathered together
from 8th of October to 11th of October 2016 in Mount
Carmel School, Londa. This is for the second time
such event is organized in our province. It was held
earlier under the title ‘Carmel Fest’ which was
changed to ‘Carmel Fraternity’ this year to
highlight and savor the fraternity and solidarity of
one another – ‘how wonderful and pleasant it is when
brothers live in unity.’ The brothers belonging to
different stages of formation except the novices who
joined us in spirit were divided in four groups and
the groups were given the name of the Carmelite
Saints namely, St. Edith Stein, St. Raphael
Kalinowski, St. Mary of Jesus Crucified and St.
Elizabeth of the Trinity.
On the 8th of October the inaugural session was
held. The event kicked off with the solemn
Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev.
Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum who also preached a
motivating homily on fraternity. After the
Eucharist, march past, hosting of the event flag,
erecting of the group flags, lighting of the sports
lamp was done ceremoniously. Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao
hoisted the flag, Most Rev. Bishop handed over the
group flags to the group leaders, Fr. Archibald
Gonsalves lighted the sports lamp before it was
handed over to the group leaders and Rev. Fr.
Johnson Kurruppassery delivered the inaugural
address inviting the formees to experience the love
of God in every event of their lives. Then various
sports and games were conducted for the following
three days comprising cricket, tug of war,
volleyball, Treasure hunt, quiz and various
entertaining indoor games which was a great fun.
On the 9th of October, being Sunday brothers joined
the people in the celebration of Eucharist in Holy
Family Church, Londa. Carmel Fraternity was
celebrated in the liturgy dedicating each day for a
saint whose names the groups bore. It was a
meaningful celebration joining our voices in the
pious atmosphere of Ramnagar in praising the Lord in
Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and the Eucharist.
On the last day Fr. Peter D’Sa along with Br. Regan
Paul D’Souza shared their mission experience and our
mission in Tanzania. The event culminated with the
stage programme comprising of songs, jokes, skit and
an inspirational mime show which captured the hearts
and minds of the local people who witnessed the
programme for more than two hours. During this
entertaining programme the prizes were given out by
Rev. Fr. Provincial and Rev. Fr. Russel Raj,
councillor in-charge of Formation, Tamil Nadu
Province. The red curtain of the event was pulled
down by lowering of the flag by Rev. Fr. Provincial
and expression of gratitude by Rev. George
Santhumayor, the mind and heart behind the event.
Fathers from the community of Xellim and Margao
extended their fraternal love to the brothers by
their fraternal and paternal visit.
A special thanks to Fr. Provincial and team for
organizing such a memorable event.
