Diocesan education institutions to be shut on Jan 5 in honour of Pope Benedict

Panaji: All diocesan educational institutions will be shut as a mark of respect on Thursday, the day of the funeral of the departed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away on December 31.
All primary, secondary and higher secondary schools and colleges belonging to the diocesan society of Education, as well as those belonging to the St Joseph Vaz Educational Society, will remain closed on January 5. The offices of the Archbishop’s House and of other diocesan centres and bodies will also be closed on the day of the funeral.
A circular to this effect was issued by the secretary of the Diocesan Society of Education, Fr Jesus Rodrigues, on Monday.
The archdiocese has rescheduled the Mass for the soul of the late pontiff at Se Cathedral, Old Goa, from January 5 to January 9, at 4.30pm. It has welcomed the lay faithful, clergy, religious and members of other faiths in participating in the Mass.
Chancellor of the archdiocese, Fr Romeo Monteiro has appealed to all churches and chapels to toll bells on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect, and to offer special prayers and a mass in suffrage of the departed pope.
The Papal Flag at the Archbishop’s House is being flown at half-mast.