To all the Parish SCC Coordinators, Archdiocese of Bombay
My dear Collaborators,
The long awaited breakthrough we have all been praying for, right since the start of the pandemic and through Advent and Christmas, has now seen the light of day.
After months of research and solid commitment by our scientists and technicians, united in their efforts, we now have not just one, but two produced-in-India COVID-19 vaccines. Our frontline workers – doctors, nurses, healthcare staff– are now being offered priority for immunisation against the virus.
Some of us are wondering when we will get back to the normal routine – attending Church Services without any restrictions, meetings of Cells and Associations, organization of parish programmes and activities, and so on. For the moment, we accept the fact that the State Government has laid down specific Standard Operating Procedures and our Archbishop, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, has been issuing instructions and guidelines from time to time as far as participation in Church-based Liturgical programmes are concerned. We continue to pray to the Lord so that HE alone may accompany and lead us towards a full participation in Church-related programmes.
Ash Wednesday, this year, falls on 17th February. As we step into Lent, observances and programmes may have to be followed with necessary restrictions in mind. Perhaps, we could offer this up as our sacrifice as we make the three pillars of Lent our own—Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Ms Melanie Fernandes, one of our Parish SCC Coordinators at St Anthony Church, Vakola, has prepared an interesting input which is attached herewith. (Click here to download) May I request you, as is the practice, to disseminate the ‘Reflection Paper’ to all your SCC Animators and Coordinators, and request them to forward the same to all the cluster families, for an in-depth study and reflection.
A number of parishes have already sent in their SCC Quarterly Reports for the period, October 2020 to December 2020. I sincerely thank all the Parish SCC Coordinators who have already taken trouble to despatch the reports to our SCC Office via email. Just in case you have still not sent your parish Quarterly report, I request you to do so immediately, but not later than Wednesday, February 10, 2020. The reports give me first-hand information of the ground reality as far as the SCC happenings are concerned. Hence, this request to please keep me up to date.
As I end this message, I pray that you and your loved ones keep well and stay safe. Never forget that you are precious in the Lord’s sight, and very much in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you and the members of your families abundantly.
Yours in Christ,
✠Barthol Barretto Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay & Bishop in-charge of SCCs, Archdiocese of Bombay
January 31, 2021