BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3406
ORIENTATION SEMINAR FOR THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Patrick John Ashing
NAJAFGARH- DELHI, FEBRUARY 25, 2013: It is said, "Well begun is half done", and what better way of beginning any great work or undertaking <![if !vml]>
<![endif]>than by placing oneself at the feet of the Lord, listening to His Word and imploring His graces and blessings? Keeping this in mind, the newly-constituted parish council members of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Najafgarh, about twenty five in number, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Katara Mathew the parish Priest left early in the morning at 8.00 am on Sunday, February 24 from the precincts of the Church to attend a half-day orientation programme at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Goledakhana.
<![endif]>than by placing oneself at the feet of the Lord, listening to His Word and imploring His graces and blessings? Keeping this in mind, the newly-constituted parish council members of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Najafgarh, about twenty five in number, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Katara Mathew the parish Priest left early in the morning at 8.00 am on Sunday, February 24 from the precincts of the Church to attend a half-day orientation programme at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Goledakhana.
The programme promptly began at 10.00 am with the celebration of the Holy Mass. The chief celebrant was Bishop Franco, assisted by Director of Small Christian Communities in the archdiocese, Fr. Peter Emmanuel, alongwith Fr. Sebastian and Fr. Arokiadas. A devotional and prayerful atmosphere was accorded to the mass by the lively singing of the St. Xavier's Church Choir. About ten parishes attended this programme.
The highlight of the mass was of course the homily delivered by Bishop Franco. He spoke on what the Church is, the roles played by different members in the Church and what it entailed of each member to play his/her role faithfully and effectively. He also touched upon dissident voices within and outside the Church and asked us to regularly examine which agency we belonged to - Christ's or Satan's. In his inimical style, Bishop Franco interspersed his talk with short, amusing anecdotes that kept the congregation attentive, in splits of laughter and begging for more.
After mass, a role play identical to the working of the Municipal Corporation when portfolios are being distributed was enacted. After the role play, Manjula Thomas, resource person of the Diocesan Core Group of SCC asked the congregation to compare and contrast the manner in which the meeting of the MCD was conducted and that of the parish councils in the parishes.
After a short break, Joseph D'Souza, resource person from Pallotine Animation Centre, Nagpur conducted a <![if !vml]>
<![endif]>session, taking as his text, 1 Peter 5: 1-4. This passage was read out in English and Hindi and reflected upon. He was assisted by Emmanuel Johnson, resource person of the SCC Diocesan Core Group. Leaflets and booklets were distributed enlisting the vision and mission of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). One aspect on the working of each was taken up for discussion in groups. Sharing of insights was done by each group after the discussions.
<![endif]>session, taking as his text, 1 Peter 5: 1-4. This passage was read out in English and Hindi and reflected upon. He was assisted by Emmanuel Johnson, resource person of the SCC Diocesan Core Group. Leaflets and booklets were distributed enlisting the vision and mission of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). One aspect on the working of each was taken up for discussion in groups. Sharing of insights was done by each group after the discussions.
At the end of the programme, the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Fr. Peter Emmanuel. Profuse thanks were rendered to Bishop Franco, Joseph D'Souza, the St. Xavier's Choir and all those who had worked hard to make the day's programme fruitful and successful.
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