Catechists Renew Commitment to Family as ‘Domestic Church’ at Lenten Seminar in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, March 4, 2026: Reaffirming the family as the heart of Christian faith formation, 49 catechists and pastoral sisters of the Diocese of Jamshedpur gathered for a three-day Lenten seminar from February 23 to 25 at Janvikas Kendra, Patel Bagan.

Centred on the theme, “Lent: A Time for Renewal in the Families,” the seminar invited participants to rediscover the family as a living “domestic church,” where faith is nurtured, celebrated, and handed on. Through prayer, reflection, and dialogue, the gathering underscored that authentic renewal of the Church begins in the home.

Drawing inspiration from Psalm 127:1 — “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” — the sessions highlighted the need to place Christ consciously at the centre of family life. The programme was guided by Fr. Valerian Lobo, diocesan director for Faith Formation, and unfolded around four key themes: Christ-centred families, the domestic church, forgiveness, and digital families.

Rooted in Sacred Scripture, including the call of Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), the reflections were further enriched by teachings from Familiaris Consortio and Lumen Gentium. These Church documents reaffirm the family as a privileged space of prayer, reconciliation, and shared faith.

Participants reflected on Lent not merely as a season of personal penance but as a grace-filled opportunity for families to grow together through prayer, fasting, and charity. Echoing St. Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” — the seminar stressed that conversion must shape daily relationships within the household.

Special emphasis was placed on forgiveness as a healing force capable of restoring broken bonds and fostering unity within families. In addition, the sessions addressed the realities of the digital age, encouraging families to cultivate healthy digital habits that prioritise meaningful dialogue, shared prayer, and attentive presence over excessive screen time.

The catechists and pastoral sisters also reflected deeply on their vocation as pastoral companions to families. The seminar emphasised the importance of empathetic accompaniment, particularly for households facing spiritual, relational, or emotional challenges. Participants were encouraged to make the Gospel accessible and life-giving within the concrete realities of family life today.

The programme culminated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Bishop Telesphore Bilung of Jamshedpur. In his homily, he urged the participants to become agents of renewal within their communities, beginning with their own families. Quoting Amoris Laetitia (no. 315), he reminded them: “The family is the place where parents become their children’s first teachers in the faith.”

As Lent continues, the seminar has strengthened the diocese’s pastoral focus on families, equipping catechists and pastoral sisters to promote Christ-centred, prayerful, forgiving, and responsible family life amid the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

By Catholic Connect Reporter