Altar Servers Outing: Visit to Asro orphanage and Rachol Seminary

The Altar Servers picnic was organised on 30th December 2019 by Fr. Bolmax, our Parish Priest along with the animators Ms. Mercy Fernandes and Mr. Myron Lucas. Around 18 Altar Servers attended the picnic with 6 Youth volunteers Cavelossim and Rachol Seminary.

Our first destination was Asro orphanage at Cavelossim. We met the orphans residing there along with the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross who attend to their needs. These children being HIV positive are the unwitting victims of discrimination and rejection. These children look up at these nuns for love and care, which they find in abundance.

These children welcomed us with warm greetings and cheerful smiles. We introduced each other and presented some gifts to the inmates. Our Altar Servers, interacted with them by displaying their talents and taught them a few Christmas Carols and action songs. The children shared their experiences of Christmas celebrations.

Later, we served some snacks to the children and played a few games with them. As we left the Orphanage, we found that it was an amazing experience for us with a feeling of good vibes and a little tint of sadness. It also unconsciously encouraged us to do our two-bit for the needy and those who need our help.

Our next destination was the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, where we were welcomed with a cheerful smile by Fr. Ashley Alphonso, Spiritual Director. As it was nearing noon, we were taken to the refectory for lunch. Thereafter, Fr. Ashley led the Altar Servers, walking through the broad majestic corridors of the Seminary, adorned with old precious paintings, climbed up the ancestral stairs, peeped through the window pane oysters, as he gave us a taste of the rich historical heritage of the mighty Seminary of Rachol.

Snapshots of our visit to Rachol Seminary

The Altar Servers, had an opportunity to pray in the Seminary Church dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola and view statues of several saints now preserved in the Sacristy. We also had the opportunity to see the Pipe Organ, which is still used and played by the Seminarians during Mass. We were fortunate to be taken to Fr. Agnelo's room, when he served as a Spiritual Director from 1918 to 1927 until his passing away on 20th November 1927. Adjacent to this room is the Seminary Chapel dedicated to The Good Shepherd, the patron of the Rachol Seminary.

We also had the opportunity to see the residential rooms of the Priests and Seminarians. Climbing the upper room gave us a picturesque view of the scenic beauty of Rachol Church and the khazan lands of Rachol on the banks of river Zuari. A visit to the prayer room adorned by windowpane oyster shells gave us a nostalgic feeling reminding us of the Chicalim bay, once a breeding hotspot for windowpane oysters. Fr. Ashley, also took us to the fields where the seminarians cultivate paddy and grow their vegetables organically. It was an enriching experience visiting the Rachol seminary. In his parting words, Fr. Ashley urged the youngsters to consider priesthood as a vocation.

Snapshots of our visit to Rachol Seminary

As dusk began to fall, we reached home gaining a lot of information and experiences both at the Children’s Orphanage, Cavelossim and later at the Seminary of Rachol. We are grateful to Fr. Bolmax for his initiative and look forward eagerly to the next picnic.