- 22 July, 2025
Goa, July 22, 2025 — New Age Printers, Verna, Goa, celebrated 25 years of its establishment on July 20. The occasion was marked by a thanksgiving Mass presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, at St. Lawrence Chapel, Arossim-Cansaulim. The celebration was especially significant as it also coincided with the 72nd birth anniversary of its founder, Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, a diocesan priest of Goa.
Delivering the homily, Cardinal Ferrão called upon the faithful to be witnesses of hope. He urged them to “Make Jesus the centre of our life.” He further added that when we strengthen our relationship with Jesus, read and reflect on the Word of God, and serve others generously, we become the tangible signs of hope that we are called to be. The Cardinal, who also serves as the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), reflected on the founder’s mission, stating that New Age Printers was established to spread rays of hope—a mission that continues to this day.
He thanked God for the gift of Fr. Freddy and expressed gratitude to all those who have served and continue to serve at the press.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Fr. Ave Maria Afonso, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Church, Cansaulim; Fr. Myron Barreto, Chaplain of St. Lawrence Chapel; Fr. José Remédios Fernandes, former Vicar General of the Archdiocese; Fr. Ashley Alphonso, Spiritual Director of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Fr. Mario Souza, Assistant to the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese and Fr Victor Rodrigues.
Speaking to Catholic Connect, Cardinal Ferrão shared that the celebration was a joyful moment as the Archdiocese remembered the courageous initiative of Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa. “The press had become a powerful medium of communication and an apostolate of good literature.” Said the Prelate.
The Cardinal recalled that for the first four years (2000–2004), Fr. Freddy worked tirelessly to place the press on a strong foundation. After Fr. Freddy’s untimely death in 2004, his family, respecting his wishes, handed over the press to the Archdiocese of Goa.
He highlighted that for the past 21 years, priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful have continued the founder’s mission, enabling the diocesan press to become a significant instrument of social communication and a means to spread the Gospel. The Cardinal also acknowledged the contributions of Fr. Adrião Furtado, the first diocesan manager, and Fr. Myron Barreto, the current manager, along with their teams, for their tireless efforts in printing countless books and magazines that proclaim the Good News.
Cardinal Ferrão expressed his hope that the Silver Jubilee would be a privileged occasion to renew the Church’s commitment to making New Age Printers a true medium of evangelisation.
As part of the celebration, a Konkani book titled ‘Bhagevont Nomune’, authored by Fr. Myron Barreto, was released at the hands of the Cardinal. This book, which is Fr. Myron’s tenth publication, presents brief insights into the lives of saints and their feasts within the Liturgical Year. Fr. Myron Barreto, who also serves as the Manager of New Age Printers, expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the celebration and to the growth of the press.
Fr. Freddy had always envisioned handing over New Age Printers to the Archdiocese of Goa. However, he passed away on May 17, 2004. Following his demise, his family, knowing the will and intentions of Fr. Freddy, gifted the press to the Archdiocese of Goa through a Gift Deed. As part of the agreement, the Archdiocese paid 25% of the press's value to Fr. Freddy's family, ensuring a smooth transition. This amount was subsequently utilized to establish the Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa Memorial Trust, that now functions in his memory.
By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD
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