LECTORS & CHOIRS TRAINING WORKSHOP
The Lectors and the Music ministry members attended an interactive training workshop, conducted by Rev. Fr. Wilfred D’souza (SDB) on Sunday, 21st September 2025 at St. Marys Junior College Hall.
Registration of the participants was handled by our efficient volunteers (Cloty, Adelworth, Enid and Elvia). The light refreshments served helped energize us for the session. Our young and vibrant anchor, Sian D’souza set the event rolling with grace and poise. The session commenced with a Welcome note and an Opening Prayer by Cheryl Rodrigues. Rev. Fr. John Lopes, our spiritual director, introduced our trainer, Fr. Wilfred, who is an expert on Liturgical and Catechetical matters.
Fr. Wilfred reminded the ministry members that we are fulfilling our mission to serve the parish, by making the living Word, Jesus Christ known through our proclamation and music. Our service to the respective Ministries is a “Sacred Call”, to use the talents and gifts that the Lord has bestowed on us, for spiritually building up the community of Our Lady of Egypt, Kalina.
The Liturgy of the Word & Liturgy of the Eucharist is not a stage performance show and hence we need to serve with love, faith, humility, deep reverence, commitment and obedience to Ecclesial teachings. The session was divided into two modules, to enrich and empower the members of both Ministries.
The Lectors & Commentators workshop involved a short practical training, focusing on improvement of our proclamation skills. The session was very interactive with the enthusiastic involvement of the lectors. Fr. Wilfred with his excellent presentation and delivery skills, kept us all focused and attentive.
In the second part Fr. Wilfred gave fruitful insights on Sacred music and its purpose being to glorify God and the sanctification of the faithful. Since this song is sacred, its words, as also its music and instrumentation must be carefully planned and chosen with care, to go hand and hand with the liturgy. The interactive session between the members and Fr.Wilfred definitely will help us all to continue singing with “Joyful Notes”.
Sandra Colaco rendered the vote of thanks. As an expression of our gratitude and in solidarity with the Diocese Green initiative, we presented Fr. Wilfred with natural plants and a gift token. We thanked the Lord Almighty for the very informative session, with a spontaneous closing prayer, by Abigail Fernandes. We gratefully acknowledged that we all serve the same Eucharistic Celebration, by our melodious singing of the hymn “Bind us together”. The event concluded, by capturing memories of the workshop, with a group photograph.
We are thankful to our Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. John Lopes, for his vibrant leadership, guidance, blessings and enthusiastic approval for the training session and for inviting Fr. Wilfred, who with his expertise, imparted his vast knowledge to us. We express our heart felt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Amol Thopelya, for his valuable time and presence. The session was a success due to the zeal and dedication of our hundred plus participants and the tireless efforts of the Parish office – Anita Menezes and team who co-ordinated the arrangement of the entire event – Venue, Refreshments, Audio & Visual team, Volunteers and every minute detail executed well.
We dispersed with a sense of gratitude, for the role we play in our Ministries and enriched to serve the community of Our Lady of Egypt, imbibing the knowledge and training imparted to us, through this valuable session.
Report by the Lectors Ministry & Music Ministry
