God’s immense love is seen in many ways, especially in and through His people. This same love we have experience through our generous benefactor, Saude Furtado, who generously donated his land for a good cause that is to established a convent. He also had a great wish to start a Home for the Aged in the existing house and in the same area to cater to the needs of the locals. Thus on 1st June 1977 our sisters opened the Home for the Aged.
The first woman who sought shelter in our Home for the Aged was from Chinchinim named Vincentina Furtado, a spinster. Later on poor women from Navelim itself were admitted in the house free of charge. Gradually the number of inmates went on increasing. The first Superior of the house was Sr. Rosaria sfn, who took charge on 2nd June 1977. The house inaugurated at the hands of Rt. Rev. Archbishop Raul Gonsalves, with the celebration of mass, and an entertainment programme for the inmates.
Seeing the rising number of the inmates, we felt the need to extend the home. Thus, the second wing of the Nazareth Home was built, and inaugurated at the hands of our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Leonardo Correia. We had mass and short entertainment programme by the students of PerpetualSuccourConventHigh School, Navelim. The extension of the house was possible due to the help of some generous persons- Mano Unidas, Rev. Fr. Thomas Fernandesmsfs, and others. We are grateful to God for the help given to us through such generous people.
Initially, the Nazareth Home and PerpetualSuccourConventHigh School formed one community. After the extension of the new wing, Nazareth Home was formed a separate community, in the year 1994. In the beginning only two sisters were in the Nazareth Home to look after the inmates. Gradually another one was added to the two sisters and so three sisters were in the new community. Now the community comprises of four or five sisters.
We have various activities for our inmates such as:
- Every year on 15th August Lions Club of Navelim stage a programme of songs, plays, talk.
- The students of PerpetualSuccourConventHigh School, during the Christmas Season, put up a small programme of Carol singing and also distribute sweets to the inmates.
- College students of various colleges pay a visit once in a way and render their help by cutting their nails, hair, sewing and mending their clothes.
- Once a month one Charismatic group from Borda, Margao, comes to conduct prayer meetings for our inmates. They sing hymns in praise to the Lord and pray to the Creator in their own way.
- Regularly some groups come to our inmates- Legion of Mary, Basic Christian Communities, Vincent De Paul Society members, etc. they come from different places. Our inmates feel very happy when someone comes to visit them. They feel that they are being wanted in the society and are cared for. They express their gratitude to them through their blessings and prayers.
- Our Hon. Ex. Minister, Mr. LuizinhoFaleiro, on his birthday gives lunch to our inmates.
- We on our part try our best to keep our inmates happy and cheerful in various ways, through a common and organized recreation, celebration of each and every inmate’s birthday, common celebration at Christmas, Easter and other occasions.
- The Rosary is prayed every day in common for various intentions. Our inmates daily remember all those who have helped and are helping us in different ways, particularly our Benefactors. They also pray for those who have asked for their prayers. The sisters also read and explain the Scriptural passages.
- Every Saturday a priest is invited to celebrate mass. To hear their confession once a month a priest is arranged. Besides this, the sisters distribute Holy Communion as when the inmates show their desire to receive the Lord.
Although the inmates are happy to live in each other’s company, yet they feel that they are being forsaken from their loved ones at home. They feel that their home people do not want them. Many of them express their sadness to us. We try our best to sooth their sorrow and lighten their burden and be their companion in their loneliness.
Through the will made by our inmates we do their funeral rites as per their wishes. We inform their home people or to those who are responsible for them, when they are seriously ill and when they die.
At present, there are seven sisters in the Nazareth Home and 30 inmates, carrying on the same task and serving in the Lord’s vineyard joyfully through the ministry entrusted to their care.
Annual Visit
