The Catholic business network Goa Dimensions marked its 10th anniversary with a Eucharistic celebration and public program on Feb. 11, highlighting a renewed call for faith-driven entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
The celebration began with a concelebrated High Mass at St. Michael Church in Taleigao, a suburban village just outside Panaji, the capital of Goa in southwestern India. Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes of Goa and Daman presided over the Mass, with Fathers Jeorge Fernandes, Caetano Fernandes, and Valentino serving as concelebrants. The Goa Velha Choir, led by Placido Rodrigues, animated the liturgy.
Rooted in Purpose and Gratitude
In his homily, Bishop Simiao reflected on a story about a child who painted a “hand” when asked to draw what he was grateful to God for. The hand, the child explained, symbolized care, guidance, and support — the hand that uplifts, comforts, and corrects.
Drawing from this image, the bishop urged entrepreneurs to ground their economic journey in four pillars: purpose, partnership, progress, and gratitude.
He emphasized that a business without a deeper spiritual “why” is unsustainable, encouraging members to see entrepreneurship as a vocation and a form of service. He also called for stronger collaboration within the Goan Catholic community, warning that individual financial stability does not automatically translate into collective economic security.
Progress, he said, must go beyond personal success to include ethical job creation and the upliftment of others. Concluding, he described the organization’s first decade as a testament to God’s providence and invited members to renew their mission in fellowship.
From Service to Entrepreneurship
Following the Mass, members and guests gathered at Little Field for the anniversary program.
In his address, Goa Dimensions President Jason Andrade presented a candid assessment of the community’s socio-economic realities. He noted that a significant percentage of Goan Christians have migrated since Liberation, calling it a “wake-up call” for the community.
He identified a long-standing service-oriented mindset as a contributing factor and proposed a shift toward entrepreneurship.
The organization’s vision, he said, is to facilitate a transition from service dependence to entrepreneurship, while its mission is to provide mentoring and support structures that allow Christian values and business success to go hand in hand.
He outlined a three-point roadmap for the future: promoting self-employment among youth, strengthening existing Christian-owned businesses through networking and mentorship, and fostering parish-level awareness of entrepreneurship.
Andrade also invited greater collaboration with the Church, seeking support in encouraging parish-based initiatives and nurturing a self-reliant community rooted in faith.
Success and Holiness Go Together
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, who addressed the gathering, affirmed that entrepreneurship is a noble vocation when guided by Gospel values.
Quoting Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” — he reminded members that talents and resources are gifts from God entrusted for the common good.
He stressed that economic activity is never morally neutral and that business decisions must reflect integrity, justice, and compassion. Christian entrepreneurs, he said, are called to be “salt, light, and leaven” in society.
Referring to Pope Francis’ call to synodality, the Cardinal reminded the members that they, too, are the Church. He assured them of the clergy’s support, encouraging them to remain ethical, resilient, and united in their mission.
He expressed hope that the next decade would bear even greater fruit for Goa and the wider society.
Honoring a Decade of Service
The evening concluded with recognition of founder Evencio Quadros and directors Batista Fernandes, Custodio Fernandes, Jason Andrade, Antonio da Cunha, Tony Fernandes, and Francis Estrocio.
Awards were presented to board members, the operational team, and long-serving members. Additional recognitions were given for business performance, referrals, and exceptional stewardship.
The event, supported by the entrepreneurs themselves, concluded with a celebration of Goan talent, featuring hand-painted portraits of the Cardinal and the bishop by a member-entrepreneur, as well as a cultural performance.
Gabriel Pinto thanked the organizers and participants. The program was compered by Sheryl Vaz, who concluded by saying: “The incredible decade reminds us that the best chapters are still waiting to be written, and GD continues to grow, inspire, and transform lives for many more decades to come — a future filled with endless possibilities.”
As Goa Dimensions enters its second decade, organizers expressed hope that faith-based collaboration and entrepreneurship will contribute to economic resilience and social development in Goa.
