Lissy Maruthanakuzhy

Panaji, Dec.5, 2019: “The mandate of Jesus to proclaim Him throughout the world brought St Francis Xavier to Goa. And we know what he achieved within 10 years (1542 to 1552)in India with the fire of zeal for Christ burning within him. It is the same desire, dedication and zeal that led a group of catholicsin our Archdiocese to begin Catholic Charismatic Renewal T V- – Channel of God’s Love (CCR TV) in Goa-as they call it ‘The Impossible Dream’”, Archbishop Filippe Neri said in his message on the second anniversary of the Channel at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on December 4.

Stressing on the importance and relevance of the Channel, the Archbishop said emphatically and with a broad smile, “This will continue. The Good News of Jesus will continue to spread. The Good News of Jesus is given to each of us to share with others. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has not left any stone unturned for this purpose.”

“I feel so proud of the ‘Impossible dream’ made possible,” he beamed clutching proudly the Souvenir he released on the occasion. “Facing myriads of challenges and difficulties right from the moment of its conception the CCR movement in our Archdiocese, CCR TV has become one of the leading 24-hour Catholic TV channels in our country,” he added reminiscing its birth and growth in the past two years.

The Director of Caritas, Goa, Fr Maverick Fernandes, observed, “The primary reason for any media to exist, particularly for the Church, is to be the eyes, ears and voice of the community that is the challenge and demand of effective Evangelization. When one engages in the culture of encounter Transformation is possible. The primary encounter has to be with the truth, who is Christ, ever to be proclaimed. In this regard CCRTV has created for itself particularly in the Catholic homes through its regular programmes designed for all ages.”

Sixty-five-year old Celine Alberto bubbled with joy as she boarded the bus for Margao to participate in the celebration. “We get everything in CCRTV,” she began to relate her experience. “We get Eucharistic Celebration, Rosary, Bible Reflection, quiz for children, Guidance in Cookery, Exercises and what not. In my village the ladies have shifted their beds to their living room,” she laughed with excitement.

Joy Anthony, Chairman of National Service Team, Charismatic Renewal, congratulated his counterparts in Goa for their, heroic undertaking of CCRTV. “It is built on Christ’s call to preach the Gospel “in all the world for a witness unto all nations” (Matt 24;14) and to do this CCRTV is looking forward to Media Evangelism through socio-religious programmes, pertaining to the daily requirements of all age levels, including secular programmes like cooking and singing.”

Robin D’Souza the leader behind the venture recalled the birth pangs of CCRTV saying, “I was told it is not possible. You will not get very far. You do not have the faintest idea of what you are getting into without adequate financial support, without requisite personnel, without proper office space and others.”

With his usual smile and calmness Robin continued, “Many of the comments were of the ‘wet blanket’ category enough to sink anyone else. But now I can declare with gratitude that God was on our side, because it was His work we set out to do. I could proclaim with Mary ‘the Lord has done marvels for us.”

As CCR TV steps into the third year, Robin reminded, ‘We have to be ready for changes in technology and also possible changes in organizational structure.”

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