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| News - International WWME in India Selects A New National Ecclesial Team Vally (Valentine) & Anna Coelho Worldwide Marriage Encounter-India has a new National Ecclesial Team in the persons of Patrick & Maria Fernandes and Fr. Abhay Shirekar from the Mumbai unit. This was the result of the Discernment conducted on the last day of the National Unit Coordinators' Conference of Worldwide Marriage Encounter-India hosted by the Goa Unit at Pilar, Goa from the 21st to the 24th of October, 2004. 12 units from various parts of India (Madurai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Indore, Jabalpur, Raipur and Ranchi) were represented by their Unit Coordinating Teams or their substitutes with some observer couples.
The Conference was inaugurated with a solemn High Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman and the Patriarch of the East Indies, Filipe Neri Ferrao and concelebrated by 10 priests. This was followed by Tea and snacks for all present before the Inaugural Function. The Archbishop was asked to light the Inaugural lamp along with the National Ecclesial Team (NET) Chacko & Valsa and Fr. Davis George. The Inaugural Address was given by the Archbishop followed by the Presidential Speech by the NET. A short Cultural programme highlighting the traditional songs and dances of Goa followed. The Cultural programme ended with the singing of ME Song (There's a New World Somewhere) in the local language, Konkani with the chorus repeated in English. A buffet Dinner ended the evening on a very pleasant note. The next day began with the Formation program on the theme "Cast out into the Deep" which focused on building intimate priest-couple relationships, with 2 sessions being held in the morning. After lunch all the participants were taken on a sight seeing trip to the Basilica of Bom Jesu where the uncorrupted body of St. Francis Xavier lies. The participants were then taken to one of Goa's world famous beaches to see the sunset and spend time in fellowship on the sands. The 3rd day began with the concluding sessions of the formation program followed by the reports from various units after lunch. Later in the evening, the National Finance Board meeting was conducted. The evening ended with lucky donor coupon draw after dinner followed by a fellowship evening enriched by songs and skits given by different units.
The 4th and final day dawned with the promise of a new leadership. Only Unit Coordinating Teams or their authorized substitutes were permitted to sit for the Discernment Process conducted by Valentine & Anna Coelho and Fr. Reginald Britto s.j. of Goa. The declaration of the new National Ecclesial Team was a joyful climax to a very fruitful and enriching Conference. With the celebration of our joy in the Concluding Eucharist presided over by the out-going National Ecclesial Team Priest and incidentally, the Asian Ecclesial Team Priest -elect, Fr. Davis George, the Conference was declared closed. All the delegates warmly appreciated the traditional Goan hospitality they experienced during their stay. The next National Conference will be in Nagpur. Vally (Valentine) & Anna Coelho
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