- 09 May, 2025
Jalandhar, 22 March 2025 - The Diocese of Jalandhar today organized a missionary meeting, bringing together around 40 religious priests working within the diocese. The gathering aimed to promote collaboration, synodality, and mutual growth among the religious and the diocese.
Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Jalandhar, warmly welcomed the religious priests and expressed his appreciation for their contributions to the diocese. Fr. Antony Thuruthy, Chancellor of the Diocese, introduced the concept of "spiritual conversation" as a method of dialogue, setting the tone for the meeting.
Fr. Suresh Mathew delivered a thought-provoking presentation on "Pilgrims of Hope: Discerning the Synodal Path." He emphasized the importance of synodality as a way of living and operating within the diocese and among the religious.
The participants were then presented with three questions to ponder. The first question, "Your life of prayer, of simplicity has to challenge us. Is it doing that? How am I walking in the diocese as a religious priest?" sparked a lively discussion. Many participants emphasized the need for a strong prayer life and simplicity as essential qualities for religious priests. Some acknowledged struggling to maintain a balance between prayer and work, while others recognized the challenges of living a simple life in the face of institutional centralization.
The second question, "What are the needs of the church in Jalandhar which the spirit is calling you as religious to answer?" led to a wide-ranging discussion on the needs of the church in Jalandhar. Participants identified the need for pastoral care and evangelization, unity and collaboration among Diocesan priests and Religious, priestly formation and spirituality, social concerns and youth ministry, communication and listening, and institutional reform.
The third question, "Am I influenced by the diocesan mission partners? How can we increase our mutual relationships?" highlighted the importance of collaboration, mutual respect, and inclusive mission practices in enhancing relationships between diocesan mission partners. Participants suggested that frequent collaborative gatherings, respecting and appreciating the work of missionary partners, and arranging annual prayers involving all stakeholders could foster unity.
Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias concluded the meeting by reminding the participants that the religious are the "powerhouse" of the diocese. He noted that the spirit of happiness is growing within the diocese, fostering a sense of hope and collaboration among its members.
The missionary meeting was a success, with participants expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to come together and share their experiences and insights. The meeting marked an important step towards promoting collaboration, synodality, and mutual growth among the religious and the diocese.
By Fr. Suresh Mathew
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