Synod Directory and Anthem released at Final PreSynodal Members Meeting

-Farrell Shah

Kolkata: The third meeting of the Members of the Diocesan Synod of Calcutta was held on 2 September 2017, at Seva Kendra Calcutta, Tangra. The programme stared at 10 a.m. with a prayer song, led by the Vicar General Fr. Dominic Gomes on accordion.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza’s welcome address followed; he thanked all the members for their presence and commitment to making the synod a successful one. He observed that through serious reading and reflection on the various documents, especially the synod Questions, the delegates would look deep into themselves with the power of the Spirit and know what the Lord wants us to do in this Archdiocese. Synod prolocutor, Fr. Gregory Monterio then requested His Grace to release the Synod directory, which was done solemnly and copies were given to the Vicar General and the Synod Officials present. All other members would receive a copy with attached Synod Questions, at the end of the programme.

Short talks on the synod directory (Mr. Farrell Shah), the synod Questions (Fr. Soosai Manickam) and the Working Papers for the pastoral Concerns (Fr. Franklin Menezes) were given. After this groups resembling the Synod Discussion Groups were formed and invited to share tea and get to know each other.

After tea, Mr Shah took the group through a full day at the Synod, with explanations on the each significant part of the schedule, such as the consultative votes for proposals. Within this session the Anthem of the Synod was previewed to the Members, who enjoyed both the English and Bengali versions, and asked for the same to be emailed/Whatsapped to them, to learn. Thereafter, Ms Bemvinda Pereira went over the salient points of the Synod Liturgy as well as the Holy Hours to be conducted across the archdiocese, in preparation for Synod 2017. There was also an appeal to help with fundraising at the parish level, through contribution envelopes. A souvenir would also be published.

The Diocesan Synod of Calcutta Synod 2017 – will be held at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore, 26 - 30 September 2017 . It will conclude with a Eucharistic Celebration, to which all are warmly invited; at the same venue, 10:45 a.m.