Tilamola Parish Champions Hands-on Farming for Ecological Awareness in Goa

Tilamola, July 8, 2025: Our Lady Mother of the Poor Church in Tilamola, Goa, hosted an eco-friendly initiative that united parishioners, students, and members of the Diocesan Commission for Ecology in a collaborative effort to promote sustainable practices and ecological awareness on July 7. Led by Parish Priest Fr. Aldrin D’Costa, along with Assistant Parish Priests Fr. Aidan Manuel Fernandes and Fr. Denrish Clyde D’Costa, the initiative brought together diverse groups from the community in a meaningful celebration of creation care.

A prayer led by Fr. Rosario Oliveira, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral in Old Goa and a resident of Tilamola, marked the start of the programme. Following the prayer, villagers and students from Our Lady Mother of the Poor High School, Tilamola, and Immaculate Conception High School, Paroda, marched into the paddy fields. Teachers and headmistresses also joined the students, taking part in the cultivation efforts that followed.

Villagers enthusiastically guided the students in traditional farming techniques, while support from the Diocesan Commission for Ecology added encouragement and visibility to the initiative. The experience aimed to instil ecological consciousness among the youth, foster a sense of connection with the land, and inspire sustainable living practices.

Fr. Aidan Manuel Fernandes noted, “The main motive was to bring the parishioners together. Usually, we complain that people don’t come to the church, but if we create an opportunity, then there is a possibility that they come. Since most of the people are farmers, we decided to get together to work in the fields.”

Mrs. Gretta Menezes, Headmistress of Immaculate Conception High School, Aveddem Paroda, highlighted the educational value of the initiative. “This activity has given our students a very rich and valuable hands-on experience of cultivation. This will develop in them a love for nature and sustainable living, and even spark an interest in potential future careers.”

Parishioner Mrs. Alcina Fernandes expressed gratitude for the community engagement. “I thank the priests in our parish for giving us this opportunity to come together and work with each other. Many students of Tilamola School and Paroda School came and worked along with the people. We thank our priests for also providing us with food.”

Fr. Aldrin D’Costa remarked, “As the pastoral letter invites you to care for nature, we the Tilamola parishioners have come together to care for Mother Earth. By cultivating the field, we have done just that. The people of Tilamola are farmers. They love to cultivate the field. It showed so much unity and dedication.”

The event concluded with reflections on the joy of learning traditional cultivation methods and witnessing people of all ages coming together to express their care for creation. A shared meal prepared by villagers rounded off the day, fostering a spirit of community and environmental stewardship.

By Mabel Menezes