Goan Parish Celebrates ‘FREEDOM 4.0’ to Promote Youth, Heritage and Unity

A Catholic parish in Goa, western India, celebrated Independence Day with traditional games, music, food and cultural activities, bringing generations together and encouraging young people to take a more active role in parish life.

The fourth edition of FREEDOM, organized by Tilamola Parish in Goa’s South Goa district on August 15, coincided with India’s Independence Day and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Simião Fernandes, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was the chief guest, while Adv. Monisha Viegas was the guest of honor.

“You are our future. The future of the Church depends on you,” Bishop Fernandes told the parish youth, encouraging them to participate actively in parish life and work to preserve the unity of the Church.

He inaugurated FREEDOM by unveiling the event banner and the theme song, “FREEDOM,” composed by the parish priests. The parish youth led the prayer service, which concluded with a blessing by Bishop Fernandes.

As India marked its Independence Day, he urged participants to free themselves from attitudes that divide communities, including hatred, jealousy, anger and dishonesty.

“This is not an event merely for entertainment or play. It is a God-given opportunity to celebrate our brotherhood, unity and friendship,” Bishop Fernandes said.

FREEDOM was launched in 2023 in response to concerns that traditional playground activities and somudai, neighborhood community gatherings, were declining amid the growing use of mobile phones, online games and increasingly busy lifestyles.

Fr. Aldrin D’Costa, parish priest, envisioned an initiative that would bring parishioners together. Fr. Aidan Manuel Fernandes, then youth animator, helped turn the idea into a parish-wide event with the support of young people.

The annual celebration has since become an opportunity to revive traditional Goan games such as Logorio, Godd'ddeamni and Talleamni. Older parishioners help teach the rules, while younger generations take part in the games, creating opportunities for interaction across generations.

The program also features singing, cooking and other cultural activities.

The event is now organized through the collaboration of Fr. Aldrin D’Costa, Fr. Soccoro Rebelo and Fr. Denrish D’Costa, assistant parish priests, together with parish youth and parishioners.

Fatima Nogueira, a parishioner, said the event has strengthened community bonds and encouraged greater participation in parish activities. She also noted that the revival of traditional games has promoted physical activity and created opportunities for people to spend time together.

Stanley Oliveira said the initiative has helped younger parishioners discover games that were once familiar to earlier generations.

“Over the past four years, parishioners have developed renewed interest in playing them with the same enthusiasm with which earlier generations did,” Oliveira said.

Fr. D’Costa expressed satisfaction with the growing participation.

“It is a day of unity in our parish. More and more parishioners are participating in this event each year. We may have many wards, but we are one parish,” he said.

At the end of the competitions, Gonvoll Ward was declared the overall winner and received the championship trophy.

For Tilamola Parish, FREEDOM has developed into a celebration that brings together faith, Goan heritage and community life while giving young people a visible role in building parish unity.