Ponda parish mobilises 95 volunteers for coastal clean-ups

Ponda, Goa, September 19, 2026: More than 95 volunteers joined two coastal clean-up drives organised by St. Anne’s Church, Ponda, collecting over 39 bags of plastic, glass bottles and other waste from Miramar and Bogmalo beaches.

The initiatives, held on September 12 and 19 respectively, were organised in collaboration with the Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE) and community partners as part of the Season of Creation 2026 and the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.

(CLICK HERE to follow Catholic Connect and to stay updated with Catholic News & Content)

At Miramar Beach, nearly 38 volunteers, including parishioners, teachers, professionals, young people, children and DCE members, participated in the clean-up. The programme began with a prayer led by parish priest Fr. Francis Rozario, OFM.

Dr. Kennedy D’Silva briefed the participants on the ecological and spiritual responsibility of caring for creation. The volunteers collected more than 17 bags of waste, along with a significant quantity of discarded glass bottles and other refuse.

The Bogmalo Beach clean-up on September 19, coinciding with International Coastal Cleanup Day, drew more than 58 volunteers. It was organised in association with the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club, led by its president Shogun Fernandes. About 22 bags of waste were collected.

Fr. Heston, representing the Syro-Malabar Church in Goa, and Fr. Lijo joined Fr. Francis Rozario and the volunteers, highlighting Christian collaboration in environmental stewardship.

The clean-ups also served as awareness initiatives, with volunteers engaging beachgoers on the need to protect Goa’s coastal environment and on the Season of Creation theme, “Living Waters.”

At Miramar, Fr. Francis stressed the need for ecological conversion and reconciliation for environmental harm caused by human actions.

St. Anne’s Parish, Ponda, has been designated the Season of Creation Parish 2026 by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in partnership with the DCE. The parish has undertaken a series of initiatives to translate its ecological commitment into practical action and promote care for the common home.

By Catholic Connect Reporter