Message 2025

Hope Will Not Disappoint Us!

Dear Sisters and Friends in Christ, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) As we joyfully begin the Pastoral Year 2025-2026, we stand together at a significant crossroad, poised to discern our path forward with hearts full of faith and hope. Looking back on the year gone by, our journey as a Congregation is marked by a vibrant tapestry woven from achievements, anniversaries, on-going commitments, mingled with uncertainties and challenges we have faced. Despite the ups and downs of life, we have been guided by a God who never fails, who perfects our path, and who, in His time, makes all things beautiful. Every moment, great or small, reflects the abundant grace of God and the compassionate love we are called to share with humanity.

The Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, leads us onward, gently urging us to keep hope alive even when challenges seem overwhelming. We were able to surrender our challenges to Jesus, trusting that, rooted in the promises of our faithful God, hope will never disappoint us. As St. Paul reminds us, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5). Every act of kindness, every sacrifice, and every challenge overcome is a reflection of God’s abundant grace at work among us.

At this pivotal moment, we are called to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of our holy Founder, Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves. He was a shining star among the clergy of our land, a man of vision and deep compassion. Guided by the words of Jesus, “He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18), Msgr. Herculano dedicated his entire life to uplifting the marginalized, especially women and children.

His mission of service continue through our Congregation bringing hope to generations, ensuring that the poor, the orphaned, and the marginalized would always find in us a home and a family. Msgr. Herculano’s legacy is not just in the institutions he built, but in the spirit of sacrificial love and tireless service that he instilled in each of us. He lived “all for God, only for God, and always for God”, in the service of God’s people.

As spiritual daughters of Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, we are heirs to this legacy of hope, a hope rooted not in fleeting optimism, but in the unshakeable promises of God. Our Founder’s example calls us to be beacons of hope, carrying the joy of the Resurrection in our hearts, spreading light, love and compassion wherever we are called to serve.

As we journey into this Jubilee Year, inspired by the Church’s Synod on Synodality, may we listen deeply, discern wisely, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us toward greater inclusivity, understanding, and peace. Drawing strength from Mary’s unwavering “Yes” and the inspiring legacy of our holy Founder, we continue to foster peace, compassion, and hope in all we do.

With deep gratitude, I thank God for my Sisters, collaborators, benefactors, and all who have generously contributed to our mission. United in hope, we move forward together, with renewed purpose, faith, and love, embracing our new assignments and forming new communities with the same generous spirit that our Founder, Msgr. Herculano embodied.

May our risen Lord fill our heart with peace and joy! Let us be beacons of hope, carrying the joy of Resurrection in our hearts, spreading light and love wherever we are called. For indeed, hope will not disappoint us!

With every blessing for a fruitful and grace-filled Pastoral Year!

Sr. Faria Barretto HC

Superior General Handmaids of Christ, Goa