by Kaitan Lobo and Father Brian Moras
PINGULI, FEB 10, 2016: The 'Year of Consecrated life' ended in the diocese of Sindhudurg, with many Religious attending the closing ceremony at Bosco Udyogshala, Pinguli on February 6.
The programme began with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to enlighten and inspire the minds of the Religious men and women. Father Brian Moras conducted the first session on 'Consecrated Life Demands A Life of Witness'.
He spoke on how one can make his or her consecrated life much more meaningful for oneself and the community at large and be effective witnesses. The session was followed by group work, sharing and reporting.
Bishop Allwyn Baretto of the Sindhudurg diocese, popularly known as the 'Smiling Bishop', graced the occasion with his presence. In his session, he urged the religious to be joyful in their commitment and consecration to God and to His faithful. 
Later during the Holy Eucharist, Father Clive Telles - in his homily - spoke about the three-point formula that the Holy Father, Pope Francis gave consecrated people to reflect upon while declaring the Year of Consecrated Life. The points included, looking at the past with gratitude, living the present with joy and looking to the future with hope.
After the solemn Eucharist, the Salesian Pre-Novices and the Capuchin Brothers put up a small fellowship programme. A specially designed wall clock was given as a memento to each of the Religious communities in the diocese, as a memory of the year of Consecrated Life.
The participants left, praising their experience as being extremely fulfilling and meaningful.