By Fr. Dominic Gomes,
VG
To take forward the Archdiocesan pastoral plan effectively,
Archbishop Thomas D’Souza has had interactive meetings with all our priests,
deanery wise, and gave a brief summary of the genesis of the process of the
Pastoral plan, which was officially inaugurated during the Chrism Mass 2013.
Animation of the six concerns had been completed throughout the Archdiocese
earlier. And now, with this renewed inspiration, another Six Concerns will be
completed on 18 July 2015. The schedule can be seen in the table below.
SCHEDULE
Common Zonal-level Pastoral Plan animation
Programme
Date
|
Kolkata Deanery
|
Midnapore Deanery
|
24 Pgns Deanery
|
Hwh-Hooghly Deanery
|
27.06.2015
|
Zone-I & Zone-II
|
Zone-I
|
Zone-I
|
Zone-I
|
Archbishop’s
House
|
SKC Kharagpur
|
St. Patrick’s
Church, Dum Dum
|
Liluah Don Bosco
|
|
04.07.2015
|
Zone III & Zone IV
|
Zone-II
|
Zone-II
|
Zone-II
|
Archbishop’s
House
|
Kamalasole
Church
|
Rupantor
(Morning Star College)
|
Bandel Church
|
|
18.07.2015
|
*****
|
Zone-III
|
Zone-III
|
******
|
Kamarchowki
Church
|
Bongaon Church
|
The work of the Pastoral Plan begins at the grassroots, our
parishes. The diversity of our parishes -spread over a huge area of urban,
suburban and rural Bengal - need infectious dynamism to kickstart and continue
the momentum required for the implementation of the plan in ways relevant and
possible by each parish unit.
This huge task is being fulfilled through the Common Zonal
Animation Programmes, where the core elements of each concern, evolved out of
the working papers over the last two years, are presented in a simplified way
to representatives of the parishes – Parish Pastoral Plan Core Team Members,
and potential parishioners - to take up each concern in their local setting.
The Animation programme is “common” because the content and
format is the same, wherever it is held. Animators representing each of the
concerns present the Pastoral Plan paper of their commission, followed by a
short interaction with the parish groups gathered. After all the concerns to be
taken up are presented, there is parish-wise workshops, which help the groups
to already map out a rough plan of action, even before they return to their
parishes to animate and implement.
The second round of ZAPs, in which six concerns were taken
up, began with simultaneous events in every deanery of the archdiocese, June
27, 2015. The Pastoral Plan Concerns taken up in this round were:
1)
Ecumenism & Interreligious Dialogue
2)
Education
3)
Health
4)
Laity
5)
Social Communication
6) Environment
& Social Justice
The Archdiocesan Social Communications Commission (ASCC) is
providing the moderators and reporters for all the ZAPs held, making sure we
have a reliable record and well-conducted programmes. We are grateful to them
and their team of persons who helped in moderating and reporting.
Now we need to look
into the actual process of activating the Parish Pastoral Plan in our parishes.
In this regard, Sunday 9 August 2015, has been set aside as Parish Pastoral Plan Inauguration Day in
the Archdiocese of Calcutta – when every parish will begin the mission of the
Pastoral Plan process.
Kolkata Deanery
A total of nine Parishes from
Zone I and Zone II attended the Zone-wise Pastoral Plan Animation event held at
the Archbishop House, Kolkata, 27 June 2015. After a short reading from
scripture by the Vicar General Fr. Dominic Gomes, who also led the parishes in
prayer with a hymn he played on his guitar.
 |
| Vicar General leads the Opening Prayer |
Opening address was by Fr.
Vincent Lobo, the Dean of Kolkata; thereafter, the proceedings were handed over
to Althea Philips, the moderator for the day.
The day’s sessions dealt with the papers of six different commissions,
each who sent an animator to present their paper.
Ecumenism and Inter Religious
Dialogue was presented by Sr. Mary D'Souza, Education was presented by Sr.
Joicy Madaserry, Health was presented by Dr. Mary D'Cruz, Laity by Ms. Bemvinda
Pereira, Social Communications by Mr. Farrell Shah, and Environment and Social
Development by Mr. Stephen Gonzalves.
Most presenters took the
participants through the relevant history of the church, the past and current
teachings of the church in the particular field of discussion and also the
light and shadow situation in the current context of the Archdiocese, before
delving into the goals and action plans.
Education by Sr. Joicy and
Environment & Social Development by Mr. Gonsalvas proved to be very
important for the participants - with the largest number of interactions by the
parishes on these topics. Most people had divergent views on the way our
Catholic institutions handle admissions of Catholic students, and Sr. Joicy
clarified that at least at her institution no Catholic child is turned away at
the entry level.
Ms. Bemvinda Pereira held a very dynamic
session which touched on the importance of the Laity in today’s church; while Mr.
Farrell Shah took the participants through the steps that the Archdiocese has
taken to improve communication as a whole. It was surprising to know that just
about 7 out of the 50 odd participants knew of the existence of an Archdiocese
website (www.archdioceseofcalcutta.org).
After the presentations by all
the six commissions, a small workshop was held, where each parish got together
in a huddle to discuss how they can implement the various action plans
discussed.
The day ended with lunch.
By Edward D’Castro,
Wellspring
Midnapore Deanery
The Midnapore edition of the
Zonal-wise Common Animation Programme of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan was
held at Kharagpur SKC, 27 June 2015.
Parishes present were:
1.
Sacred Heart
Church, Kharagpur, led by Fr. Ambrose
2.
Immaculate
Heart of Mary, Midnapore, led by Fr. Joy C. D’Souza
3.
Midnapore
Nirmal Hriday Ashram, led by Fr. George Anthony
4.
Church of
Our Lady of Consolation (Geonkhali) , led by Fr. Mark
5.
Catholic Church,
Ghatal, led by Fr. Godfrey
6.
Christ the
King Mission Church, Balichak, led by Fr. Edward Minj, with 13 members, the
largest delegation.
7.
Seva Kendra,
Hijli, led by Fr. Basil & Fr. Shyam Charan Mandi
Designated reporter was Ms. Lily
Prasad. After the opening prayer by Fr. Godfrey Fernandes, Catholic Church –
Ghatal, there was a short introduction by Fr. Shyam Charan Mandi, SKC, Hijli.
Fr. Ambrose spoke on how to form
Pastoral team. He, along with Ms. Dhanalaxmi Kaliram, was Moderator for the day.
The first presentation was on Ecumenism
& Interreligious Dialogue, presented by Mr. Dilip Gomes. After which Fr. Joy
D’Souza spoke on Education, which he said is a part of our Human Life and Jesus
is the Teacher of our life. Education is therefore a must for all. CBCI
wants us to teach the student the life wisdom, knowledge, values and how to
become selfless persons, and in doing so, change society for the better.
Social Communication was
presented by Ms. Ruth Joseph. She spoke on the different communication means in
our modern lives, for example, mobiles/tab, computers, etc. The bottom line - Jesus
is our Mass Communicator. Mr. Dilip
Gomes again stepped up to animate on Laity. He opined that there was no real empowerment
of laity seen yet, though we are talking of commissions.
Social Development was presented
by Fr. Basil Mandi, who quoted extensively from the Bible’s viewpoints in Exodus
(Chapter 3:9), Micah (6:8), Luke (4: 18-19), Mathew (28 – 4-45)
The Health concern was taken up
by Fr. Joy who expressed that 25% of the healthcare services in the country are
done by the Catholics, especially nuns. Jesus is the biggest leader in
healthcare!
At the event’s close, Fr. Ambrose
thanked all the resource persons and wished all parishes present the best in
this mission.
By Lily Prasad, Wellspring
24 Parganas
Deanery
Zonal level of the Diocesan
Pastoral Plan Zonal Animation Programme was held for Zone I at St. Patrick’s Church,
Dum Dum, and 27 June 2015.
Zone I is: St Patrick’s Church, Dum Dum; St. Damien;
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Barasat; Holy Family Church, Kestopur; Mother
Teresa’s Church Dum Dum Cantonment. About fifty persons attended.
The programme started at 10 a.m.
- delayed by half an hour due to inclement weather.
The first animator of the day was
Mr. Dipankar Basu, with the Pastoral Plan paper on Ecumenism &
Inter-religious dialogue. Linking the Ecumenical movement to the inter
religious dialogue he emphasised that in
a multi-religious/cultural milieu, the Church wants to promote inter-religious
dialogue, by identifying the common, acknowledging the differences and
identifying areas of appreciation.
Sr. Esther Rani, FMA, presenting
the Pastoral Plan Paper on Education and Culture, said to increase Christian
values in schools, all Catholic schools must be made aware of the All India
Catholic Education Policy 2007 and the Archdiocese Pastoral Plan.
Dr. Sipra Goswami, Secretary of
Health Commission, spoke of Christian values in health care and highlighted Christ’s
work among the sick. She suggested that a start could be made by setting up healthcare
centres in each parish.
Ms. Mary Ghosh led the next
session, the Pastoral Plan paper on “Laity”, she informed the audience of the
role of the laity in the Church as recognised by the Second Vatican Council.
The laity, thus, abiding by the Second Vatican Council must work in close union
with their pastors.
Rev. Fr. Robin Gomes carried
forward the importance of the laity in the Church through the presentation of
the Pastoral Plan Paper on Social Communications. He also gave a word of advice
to all Priests and religious to be available 24*7 to guide and help the laity,
as well as to improve their communication skills whether off or on the pulpit.
The last session was taken up by
Seva Kendra Co-ordinator Mr. Mukul
Haldar, with the Pastoral Plan
Paper on Social development. He highlighted the Seven Principles of the
Catholic Social Teaching. Along with the Rights comes the responsibility to
pursue peace and care for fellow humans especially the poor.
The Programme concluded with a
short prayer by Rev. Fr. Hermil D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Church
Dum Dum followed by a short discussion of the day’s program among the
representatives of the parishes, so that the seed of concrete plan could be
sown while the matter was fresh and the animators were available for queries.
By Ishita Chowdhury,
Wellspring
Howrah-Hooghly
Deanery
The Common Zonal-level Animation
Programme on Pastoral Plan of six concerns was held at Don Bosco, Liluah, 27
June 2015, for Howrah-Hooghly Deanery.
 |
| Mr. Charles Sasoon explains a point |
Attendees
were Parish Pastoral Core Teams and representatives from the following five
parishes.
Total turnout was 32 persons:
1. Our Lady of Happy Voyage, Howrah
2. St. Joseph the Workers’ Church, Santragachi
3. Catholic Church, Premnagar
4. Nirmala Mata Maria Girja, Andul Road
5. Don Bosco, Liluah.
2. St. Joseph the Workers’ Church, Santragachi
3. Catholic Church, Premnagar
4. Nirmala Mata Maria Girja, Andul Road
5. Don Bosco, Liluah.
Brother George MC began the
programme at 9.30 a.m. with a prayer. Dominic Azavedo, representing the Archdiocesan
Social Communication Commission (ASCC) was the Moderator and conducted the
programme in a masterly fashion within the given time-frame.
Ecumenism & Interreligious
Dialogue, by Fr. Timir Sinha: He said that Interreligious Unity through
Dialogue, Prayer &Meetings of all faiths at regular intervals and gathering
on Social issues help our Christian Community to have a better understanding of
other religions & beliefs.
Laity by Charles Sassoon: The
Laity must work closely with the pastors to take up and solve various challenges
of human salvation. Through various associations and movements like SCC, SVP,
CAB, LEGION OF MARY, YCS, CLC and AICUF, the Laity can work closely with
pastors.
Health by Sr. Meena Tirkey:
Sister mentioned that the Catholic involvement in field of health is born of
leadership and ministry of Jesus Christ. “Health” in our Christian understanding
does not only mean physical, mental and social wellbeing but also being in the
right relation with God.
Education by Sr. Grace Mary:
Catholic schools are irreplaceable sources of service to the society,
accounting for 25% of services provided in this sector. To achieve the goal of
holistic education of our Catholic children, it is necessary that no Catholic
child is refused admission in schools and colleges, and they can be supported
financially to pursue their academics.
Social Development by John
Francis Osta: Human Dignity is protected and developed when we are in a
community which is the foundation of society. Human rights can be protected
best when socially-oriented persons use their vocation to serve their
communities in the basic, economic, social, cultural, civil and political
rights.
Social Communication by Isaac
Harold Gomes: Isaac highlighted the clergy’s need to be trained in meeting the
press, facing the camera, etc. He also spoke on Crisis Management and said that
each parish should have a crisis management plan in place. Each parish should
have its parish journal for the promotion of healthy interactive (two-way)
communication.
This was followed by a Workshop
where the Parishes formed groups, discussed and noted down the salient points
of each presentation.
The day ended on a happy note
with a sumptuous lunch and hopes of positive action.
By Antoinette Kwan,
Auxilium Speaks
