Media Release

Vasco, Jul 6: A sacred music concert was organized by Our Lady of Bethlehem Church, Chandor, to felicitate its parishioner, the new auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Simiao Purificaçao Fernandes, on July 4. As many as 250 singers and musicians from all over Goa presented a sacred music concert under the banner of 'Vakhann’nni St Joaquim’s Choir and Orchestra' to honour the new auxiliary bishop.

Pope Francis appointed Fr Simiao P Fernandes as the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman on April 6, and he was ordained as a bishop on June 17 by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman.

The Vakhann’nni Choir Group, which included 80 singers and 63 musicians from the Vakhann’nni group, as well as 52 members of the children’s choir led by Fr Simon D’Cunha, chaplain of St Joseph’s Chapel Borda, presented hymns in Konkani, English, and Latin. These included 'Ecce Sacerdos', 'Mogall Guru', 'Gonvlli Kitlo Boro', 'I Will Give You Shepherds', 'Deva Tuje Dovlotichi', 'Maye Mogalle', 'Chosen to Serve', 'Mhozo Otmo Sorvesporak Vakhanntta', 'Jezu Mhoje Jinnent Ailo', and 'Gloria'. The orchestra included a variety of instruments such as Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Saxophone, Piccolo, and Euphonium.

Additionally, 'Progottnnar Ami', a hymn based on the pastoral theme of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was presented. Its melody and choral orchestration were done by Fr Simon D’Cunha, who is also the president of the diocesan commission for Sacred Music-Goa, and sung by Fr Jean da Cruz Fernandes and Agnes Noronha.

St Joseph’s Educational Institute’s Choir, which included 55 students and teachers of the institute, also presented a hymn, 'Chosen to Serve', as a tribute to their former student, Bishop Simiao Fernandes.

In response to the felicitation, Bishop Simiao Fernandes expressed his gratitude to almighty god for guiding him and to the parish priest of Chandor church, the headmistress, staff, and students of St Joseph’s Educational Institute, Chandor, the Vakhann’nni group led by Fr Simon D’Cunha, the parishioners of Chandor, and all those who worked to organize this event. He recalled his connection with the parish and the school. "We are on the Synodal journey, and I see here the face of the Synodal Church – we have singers and musicians of different ages, from little ones to the elderly, and in the audience, there are people of such nature," said the Prelate. He appreciated the soul-stirring performance of the Vakhann’nni Group.

Fr Jean da Cruz Fernandes, parish priest of Our Lady of Bethlehem Church, Chandor, welcomed the auxiliary bishop, priests, members of the Vakhann’nni Group, sisters of Bishop Simiao, the headmistress, teachers, and students of St Joseph’s Educational Institute, and the parishioners to the event. Ciete Da Cunha e Melo, headmistress of St Joseph’s Educational Institute, spoke on the occasion. Joy Da Silva anchored the programme, while Fr Jean da Cruz Fernandes thanked everyone.

Fr Simon D’Cunha, who heads the Vakhann’nni group, said, "The appointment of our new auxiliary bishop to our Archdiocese after 30 years is a great gift for us, so we need to praise God. Music is my God-given talent, so I thought of praising God for the gift of our newly ordained bishop through this Sacred Music Concert."

Fr Simon, a former conductor of the Santa Cecilia Choir of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, added, "Fr Jean da Cruz Fernandes, parish priest of Chandor church, who is also a member of the Vakhann’nni Group, wanted to felicitate our new Auxiliary Bishop, and I suggested that the Sacred Music Concert with the Vakhann’nni Group could be organized to honour the new bishop. Fr Jean agreed to my suggestion."

Fr Simon, along with his Vakhann’nni Choir, previously presented a sacred music concert at Holy Spirit Church, Margao, on September 29, 2022, to felicitate Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao after his elevation as a cardinal. Fr Peter Cardoso, a member of the Society of Pilar in Goa and a well-known musician, also held a sacred music concert at Kala Academy in 1994 when Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao was ordained bishop.