With a heart full of overflowing emotions and joy, I wish to extend hearty congratulations to you all on the happy occasion of the Silver Jubilee of our beloved Church bulletin, PORMOLL.
This journey of 25 years began in December 1999, initially as a quarterly magazine, and gradually became a monthly issue. This was the brainchild of our then Chaplain, Fr. James Torres e Silva, with the active support of a few zealous parishioners who rightly constituted the initial Editorial Board. The members were Sr. Ernestina Fernandes HC, late Archibald Gomes, late Otilia Clovis Costa, late Lawrence Noronha, and myself.
The first issue of PORMOLL was released at the hands of Rev. Fr. Lucio Dias after the Christmas midnight Mass in December 1999. A lot of people have played their part in achieving this milestone. The initial typing work was taken up by Savia Fernandes, and the printing was done by Farrel Furtado e Gracias at Aqua Printers, Margao. I cannot forget the immense contribution made by the late Richard Rodrigues towards setting and printing in the later years.
Many writers have put in a lot of effort to give us their articles and write-ups. Some of the names that come to mind are Irene Antao, Julie Fernandes, Farrel Gracias, Sr. Ernestina Fernandes, the late Otilia C.C. Costa, Bertrand Da Costa, the late Dr. Alfred Antao, Sr. Faria Barreto, Eudencia Vaz, and many more.
The Parish Priests appointed in Aquem in the later years, namely Fr. Ligorinho Da Costa, Fr. Andrew Pereira, and the present ones, Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues and Fr. Josely Rocha, have all along supported this journey, and today we are what we are!
Presently, the Editorial Board consists of the following members: Tony Dias, Rosarito Coelho, Ashodi Ferro, Neville Fernandes, and myself, working in close coordination with the Parish Priests. The numerous writers, doctors, and board members are doing yeoman service to our beloved magazine. I take this opportunity to wish all of them and express our profound gratitude for their service to Pormoll.
Please excuse me if I missed out on any name of any writer/doctor who has been a part of this exercise. I also thank all the benefactors and sponsors for their support, without which it would be impossible to come this far. Incidentally, I can proudly state that with your support, upto now we have been able to print and distribute the magazine to the parishioners free of cost. I thank and praise the Almighty for the blessings. May God bless you all.
November 7th was a very happy day for us, as our very own, Neville, a member of our editorial board, in charge of cover designing and typesetting, tied the nuptial knot with Cherryl. We extend our heartiest congratulations to them and seek God’s choicest blessings on them.
We are at the threshold of the festive Christmas Season. May this season always be full of light and laughter for you all and every member of your family. Wishing one and all a Merry Christmas 2024.
Until we meet again in the coming New Year 2025, be safe and take care.
-Felix Dias (Editor)