ST. ANNE’S CHURCH
AGONDA – CANACONA - GOA
ST . ANNE’S PARISH HISTORY
In 1859 a small chapel attached to the church of Canacona was constructed in Agonda to cater to the faithful of the area. Between the yeas 1882 and 1888 the foundation was laid and the founder of Society of Pilar Fr.Bento Martins constructed a new bigger sized Church spreading the word of God amongst the people mostly engaged in fishing and farming occupations.
Again a new church with the beautiful front view (still maintained) acclaimed all over was built in the year 1951, till the present church with a much more spacious Mass hall and parochial residence is rebuilt in the 2001 with the total participation in finances and managements by village faithful.
THE FIRST PASTOR
Archbishop Don Antonio Sebastiao Valente appointed young and dynamic priest Fr.Jose Mariano Bento Martins from Orlim village as a first Parish Priest of St.Anne’s Church, Agonda.
AGONDA – CANACONA - GOA
ST . ANNE’S PARISH HISTORY
In 1859 a small chapel attached to the church of Canacona was constructed in Agonda to cater to the faithful of the area. Between the yeas 1882 and 1888 the foundation was laid and the founder of Society of Pilar Fr.Bento Martins constructed a new bigger sized Church spreading the word of God amongst the people mostly engaged in fishing and farming occupations.
Again a new church with the beautiful front view (still maintained) acclaimed all over was built in the year 1951, till the present church with a much more spacious Mass hall and parochial residence is rebuilt in the 2001 with the total participation in finances and managements by village faithful.
THE FIRST PASTOR
Archbishop Don Antonio Sebastiao Valente appointed young and dynamic priest Fr.Jose Mariano Bento Martins from Orlim village as a first Parish Priest of St.Anne’s Church, Agonda.
It is heartening to mention that, the mother of all Christian Missionaries, the Society of Pilar was in fact founded in this very tiny village on 26th September 1887 by the than Chaplain of Agonda Fr.Jose Bento Martins, but due to the various difficulties it was soon shifted to its present house at Pilar on February, 1890, from where it continues to blossom giving worldwide fragrance of God’s mighty words. In December 1888, the chapel of Agonda is upgraded to a Church, and its chaplain Fr. Jose Bento Martins became the first parish priest of Agonda.
Priests who since than served our Parish and kept their marks of inspirations, dedications, and their fond memories while serving to God Almighty and who became instrumental in showing many of our villagers the way to live life as the children of God are:
Fr. Jose Mariano Clemento Bento Martins – 1883-1890
( Founder of Society of Pilar)
Fr. Desiderio Antonio Fernandes – 1890-1913
Fr. Pascoal Antonio Lacerda – May to July 1913
Fr.Jose Hipolito Venecia Barreto – 1913-1916
Fr. Antonio Felip Nery Moniz – 30.3.1918- 23.5.1924
Fr. Caetano Salvador Americo Des Neves Barbosa – 24.5.1924
Fr. Bras Arthur Francisco de Piedade Quadros – 24.02.1927
Fr.Jose Nicholas Martins – 30.4.1934
Fr. Libiano Mendes – 09.02.1936
Fr. Salvador Dias – 27.11.1943
Fr. Joao Menino Rebello – 03.04.1954
Fr. Luciano Milagres de Purificacao Monteiro – 30.10.1956
Fr. Alvim Do Carmo Esteves – 17.02.1965
Fr. Martinho Menino Gomes – 31.05.1975
Fr. Macedonio D’Costa – 01.06.1982
Fr. Oscar Quadros – for 6 months
Fr. Bosque Damaso Rodrigues - 02.06.1984
Fr. Santano Carvalho – 28.5.1989
Fr. Antonio Pais – 01.06.1994
Fr. Antonio Costa – 01.06.1995
Fr. Augostinho De Mello, sfx. – 01.06.1996
Fr. Blaise Mascarenhas, sfx. – 15.10.2004
Fr. Mathew Fernandes, sxf. – 01.06.2008
( Founder of Society of Pilar)
Fr. Desiderio Antonio Fernandes – 1890-1913
Fr. Pascoal Antonio Lacerda – May to July 1913
Fr.Jose Hipolito Venecia Barreto – 1913-1916
Fr. Antonio Felip Nery Moniz – 30.3.1918- 23.5.1924
Fr. Caetano Salvador Americo Des Neves Barbosa – 24.5.1924
Fr. Bras Arthur Francisco de Piedade Quadros – 24.02.1927
Fr.Jose Nicholas Martins – 30.4.1934
Fr. Libiano Mendes – 09.02.1936
Fr. Salvador Dias – 27.11.1943
Fr. Joao Menino Rebello – 03.04.1954
Fr. Luciano Milagres de Purificacao Monteiro – 30.10.1956
Fr. Alvim Do Carmo Esteves – 17.02.1965
Fr. Martinho Menino Gomes – 31.05.1975
Fr. Macedonio D’Costa – 01.06.1982
Fr. Oscar Quadros – for 6 months
Fr. Bosque Damaso Rodrigues - 02.06.1984
Fr. Santano Carvalho – 28.5.1989
Fr. Antonio Pais – 01.06.1994
Fr. Antonio Costa – 01.06.1995
Fr. Augostinho De Mello, sfx. – 01.06.1996
Fr. Blaise Mascarenhas, sfx. – 15.10.2004
Fr. Mathew Fernandes, sxf. – 01.06.2008
Not, undermining the contributions of all the most dedicated priests ever served in this tiny hamlet, and continues to serve, the contributions made by Fr. Alvim Esteves during his ten years stint in the church is highly commendable and requires special mention. It was due to his daring face-off with the other faithful and within our own community, that he went on to build an empire, what we the parishioners of Agonda are cherishing now!
Fr. Esteves began a school, purchased lands for the church (Fabrica of Sta. Anna), constructed school building (saw it gets necessary recognition, attains the statue of a high school), constructed a road to reach the church which is presently used by all sundry (imagine he was reportedly attacked for taking up road works), all this without any source of notable income, but single handedly with his might and very little cooperation from the than not-so-well-off parishioners who helped through their physical contributions by way of involving in labor works, and taking care of priests daily sustainable needs.
PILAR FATHERS IN AGONDA
Agonda parish was with the diocesan since its inception, however, since June 1996 Missionaries priests from St.Francis Xavier Society popularly known as Pilar Fathers are most devotedly carrying on with the mission and keep the lives of our villages lighten-up with the word of God.
The present parish priest Fr.Mathew Fernandes is completing a year in June, while Fr.Peter Cardozo, a well known musician and maestro, dedicated to the church in Assistant priest of our church, Sisters of Mary Immaculate who established their convent in the village are also working in the church.
AMCHI FIRGOZ
Agonda firgojek ani Pilar Sonvsthek motto sombond asa. Hakach lagun 1996 vorsa hi firgoz Pilarche Sonvsthechea padrinchea tabeant Mha Gonvlli-Bapan dilea. Tedna thavn Pilarche padri thoim Vigarki choloitat. Sodea Fr. Mathew Fernandes Vigar asa ani tache sangata bhov fanki songitkar ani maestro Pri. Peter Cardoso gonvllik kam’ kortat.
1859 vorsa adim Agonda ganvant ek lhanxem Kapel aslem tem Kankonche Igorjek lagu zatalem Ponn uprant 1882 ani 1888 vorsamni Pilarche Sonvsthechea Sthapnnar Pri. Jose Mariano Clemente Bento Martins hannem tem vaddoilem. To thoim Kapelanv aslo. Tannem 1887 vorsa, Setembrache 26ver St Francisco Xavieracheam Misionaranchi Sonvstha ghoddli. Agonda tichem survatem kendr ghor zalem. Ponn uprant 1890 vorsa Febrerache 4ter Goychea Patriark Dom Antonio Sebastiao Valente hannem tankam Pilarchea Motthant vhele. Tedna thavn tankam Pilarche Padri mhonn vollkhotat.
Fr. Esteves began a school, purchased lands for the church (Fabrica of Sta. Anna), constructed school building (saw it gets necessary recognition, attains the statue of a high school), constructed a road to reach the church which is presently used by all sundry (imagine he was reportedly attacked for taking up road works), all this without any source of notable income, but single handedly with his might and very little cooperation from the than not-so-well-off parishioners who helped through their physical contributions by way of involving in labor works, and taking care of priests daily sustainable needs.
PILAR FATHERS IN AGONDA
Agonda parish was with the diocesan since its inception, however, since June 1996 Missionaries priests from St.Francis Xavier Society popularly known as Pilar Fathers are most devotedly carrying on with the mission and keep the lives of our villages lighten-up with the word of God.
The present parish priest Fr.Mathew Fernandes is completing a year in June, while Fr.Peter Cardozo, a well known musician and maestro, dedicated to the church in Assistant priest of our church, Sisters of Mary Immaculate who established their convent in the village are also working in the church.
AMCHI FIRGOZ
Agonda firgojek ani Pilar Sonvsthek motto sombond asa. Hakach lagun 1996 vorsa hi firgoz Pilarche Sonvsthechea padrinchea tabeant Mha Gonvlli-Bapan dilea. Tedna thavn Pilarche padri thoim Vigarki choloitat. Sodea Fr. Mathew Fernandes Vigar asa ani tache sangata bhov fanki songitkar ani maestro Pri. Peter Cardoso gonvllik kam’ kortat.
1859 vorsa adim Agonda ganvant ek lhanxem Kapel aslem tem Kankonche Igorjek lagu zatalem Ponn uprant 1882 ani 1888 vorsamni Pilarche Sonvsthechea Sthapnnar Pri. Jose Mariano Clemente Bento Martins hannem tem vaddoilem. To thoim Kapelanv aslo. Tannem 1887 vorsa, Setembrache 26ver St Francisco Xavieracheam Misionaranchi Sonvstha ghoddli. Agonda tichem survatem kendr ghor zalem. Ponn uprant 1890 vorsa Febrerache 4ter Goychea Patriark Dom Antonio Sebastiao Valente hannem tankam Pilarchea Motthant vhele. Tedna thavn tankam Pilarche Padri mhonn vollkhotat.
Hem Kapel 1888 vorsachea Dezembrant Igorz keli ani ticho poilo Vigar Pri. Bento Martins-ak kelo. Tannem ani tacheam sangateamni thoim moladik vavr kela. Doriache veller ramponnkaram modem bhokti vaddounk Devachea axirvadan aplo vavr dhondo korunk tannem Agondache veller ek vhoddlo khuris bandlolo asa. 1951 vorsa adli moddun novi Igorz bandli. Atanchi igorz 2001 vorsa vaddoilea.
He firgojent Sisters of Mary Immaculate sonvsthancheo madri thoim vavurtat.
ST. ANNE, OUR PARISH PATRON
The patron of a parish is very important to that community of faith, because the patron saint's life reflects the ongoing hope and reality of daily Christian living -- that an ordinary person can become one with Jesus here on earth and accomplish wonderful things through His grace. Our patron is St. Anne, whose feast is July 26 (In our parish feast is celebrated on the First Saturday of the month of May). She was the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus Christ.
Anne and her husband, Joachim, were rich and very devoted to God. Nazareth was their home. Though married many years, they had no children. The Jewish people believed that the inability to have children was a punishment from God. For this reason, Joachim felt unworthy to offer sacrifice in the temple. He was deeply saddened and retreated to the mountains to pray for God's forgiveness. Anne prayed in her home, begging God to give her a child. She promised God if she were to give birth, she would dedicate the child to His service.
Although Anne was thought to be past childbearing years, her prayers and those of Joachim were heard. An angel came to Anne and said, "The Lord has looked upon your tears. You will give birth to a daughter, and she will be honored by all the world." The angel made the same promise to Joachim.
The patron of a parish is very important to that community of faith, because the patron saint's life reflects the ongoing hope and reality of daily Christian living -- that an ordinary person can become one with Jesus here on earth and accomplish wonderful things through His grace. Our patron is St. Anne, whose feast is July 26 (In our parish feast is celebrated on the First Saturday of the month of May). She was the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus Christ.
Anne and her husband, Joachim, were rich and very devoted to God. Nazareth was their home. Though married many years, they had no children. The Jewish people believed that the inability to have children was a punishment from God. For this reason, Joachim felt unworthy to offer sacrifice in the temple. He was deeply saddened and retreated to the mountains to pray for God's forgiveness. Anne prayed in her home, begging God to give her a child. She promised God if she were to give birth, she would dedicate the child to His service.
Although Anne was thought to be past childbearing years, her prayers and those of Joachim were heard. An angel came to Anne and said, "The Lord has looked upon your tears. You will give birth to a daughter, and she will be honored by all the world." The angel made the same promise to Joachim.
A daughter was born to Anne and she called her Miriam, Hebrew for "Mary." Anne and Joachim offered their child to God in the services of the temple while Mary was very young.
Anne means "grace" in Hebrew. God endowed St. Anne with special grace to be the mother of the Mother of God. Anne is the patron of mothers, children and housewives. Her prayers in intercession to Jesus are very powerful. After all, Jesus was her grandson. Anne's virtuous life was surely a great influence on Mary, and thus on Jesus on the everyday level of His human life.
