MANGALURU, JUL 3: The diocesan Lay Faithful Commission organized a one-day seminar for the parish Coordinators and Secretaries of the Lay Faithful Commission on 3rd July 2022 at St Anthony’s Jeppu. The theme of the seminar was Lay people’s Unity, Participation and Mission in the present church in the background of Synodality. Fr JB Crasta the chairperson of the Commission inaugurated the seminar along with lay participants. In his inaugural speech, he said that only unity among the laity will help them to participate in the mission of the Church.
Rev Fr Chatan Lobo Cap, the Manager of the Assisi Press and editor of ‘Sevak’ spoke on the present realities of the society that affects the life of the Church. He recalled many recent incidents and issues that disturbed the faithful of our community. He appealed to the participants that we must involve ourselves in the present flights of our people.
Fr Joachim Fernandes offered Mass for the participants. July 3rd being the commemoration of St Thomas and the Indian Christian Day, YESU BHKHIT DEVAS, he preached the origin and meaning of Indian Christian Day. He also said that as lay the faithful and the citizens of our country we must love all the people without considering their caste and creed as St Thomas did.
Being a resource person, Mr Roy Castelino the PRO of the diocese and the secretary of Interreligious Dialogue, conducted and compiled the group discussion. Eight groups were formed participants to discuss three questionnaires. People participated enthusiastically in the groups. Rev Fr Joseph Martis the diocesan coordinator of the Pastoral Commissions explained the role of commission members in the parish.
97 Lay Faithful from different parishes participated in the seminar. Roshan Kamath from Vamanjoor and Mrs Gretta Fernandes from Kinnigoly expressed their views on the seminar. Rev Fr Larry Pinto and Fr Rupesh Tauro were also present. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks from Fr JB Crasta.