TO ALL THE PARISH SCC COORDINATORS
Archdiocese of Bombay
My dear Collaborators,
At the very outset, I thank you for the selfless services which you render to the poor and needy, irrespective of background or belief, to ensure that no one is in want in your parish Community. You do this wonderful work so very cheerfully. May your desire to stay connected through the outreach activities inspire you to become ardent and diligent disciples of the Lord Jesus who came “not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
As of now, we still do not know what the situation will be in the weeks and months to follow. The Catholic Church, besides others, is very much concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in unemployment and other psychological problems faced by our youth, adults and senior citizens. Our daily wage-earners and domestic workers are badly affected, wondering when they will experience true and lasting peace in their lives. In the midst of these trying times, we need to keep our eyes and ears wide open, so that we become missionaries, ready to reach out in service to all those in need of us.
We begin a new month - August: the feast of the priests (Vianney Sunday – August 09), the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the anniversary of our country’s Independence (August 15), and towards the end of the month, we will begin the Novena in preparation for the Nativity of Our Lady. May I request you to see how best you can celebrate these special days online (with the help of all the Community Coordinators and Animators) so as to make them occasions to remember. Please find enclosed a Prayer Service for Vianney Sunday (prepared by our Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission) and two suggested activities to be carried out on the occasion of the anniversary of our country’s Independence Day (prepared by Fr Luke Rodrigues SJ on behalf of the Archdiocesan Office for Environment). The two enclosed materials must be sent to all the families of the Communities and Clusters.
Another area which I request you to focus your attention on is the Communities in your parish. Please ensure that you hold your ‘virtual meetings’: the monthly Core Group, Steering Committee, and once in a way, a meeting of all the Community/Zonal Coordinators. At these meetings, you may discuss how best you can become a witnessing community, engage in outreach activities, conduct online parish programmes, reflect on environmental issues, faith formation programmes, and related matters. Please make a note of all these meetings so that you have a ready reference to fill up the Quarterly Reports (July 2020 to September 2020) which must reach my Office via e-mail by October 15, 2020.
My heartfelt wish for you is to keep well and stay safe. Together, we pray regularly and fast from time to time, so that the Lord is pleased with our works, and will continue to protect us and bless us always. Please convey my wishes to the members of your family.
God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
✠Barthol Barretto
August 01, 2020
Comments