Karwar Diocese comes together to distribute Food Kits to Flood-Affected Families

Karwar Diocese comes together to distribute Food Kits to Flood-Affected Families

In a remarkable display of leadership and compassion, the Diocese of Karwar, under the guidance of Bishop Duming Dias and the Karwar Diocesan Development Council (KDCC) have spearheaded an initiative to distribute food kits to families devastated by the recent floods. This timely intervention has provided much-needed relief to hundreds of affected households.

Charitable organization Caritas India and well-wisher Mr. George Fernandes showed their generous heart, by which diocese could provide food kits.  Each food kit includes essential items such as rice, pulses, cooking oil, and basic hygiene products, ensuring that families have the necessary supplies to sustain themselves during this challenging period.

Fr. Steven Dsouza, Fr. Silvan Rodrigues Fr. Stewart Fernandes, Fr. Edwin Dsouza and his Parishioners of our Lady of Piety Church Kone Karwar and Volunteers worked tirelessly, braving difficult conditions to reach remote and heavily impacted areas. Their dedication ensured that aid reached those in dire need, providing not only physical sustenance but also emotional support.

Before sending food kits Bishop prayed for the people and appreciated the donors and all those who worked for this project.

Beneficiaries of the food kits have shared their heartfelt appreciation. “We lost everything in the floods. This help means the world to us. It shows that we are not alone.” said one grateful recipient. Another recipient said “We were left with nothing after the floods. This help has given us hope and strength to move forward.”

This initiative has highlighted the power of unity and the profound impact of collective action. As the community looks ahead, the spirit of compassion and solidarity remains strong, offering a beacon of hope in these challenging times.  

13th Death Anniversary Requiem Mass for the soul of Bishop William D’Mello, Presided over by Bishop Duming Dias at Cathedral Church Karwar

13th Death Anniversary Requiem Mass for the soul of Bishop William D’Mello, Presided over by Bishop Duming Dias at Cathedral Church Karwar

Bishop Duming Dias along with Priests, Religious and people of the Cathedral Parish, celebrated the 13th Death Anniversary Requiem mass for the soul of Bishop William Leonardo D’Mello, the First Bishop of the Diocese of Karwar.  Gratefully acknowledging his shadow still being visible in many arenas, he invited the people of God to pray for him.  Fr. Wilson D’Souza the assistant Parish Priest of the Cathedral preached at the mass and thanked the Bishop for presiding over the celebration.

The grave of the Late Bishop was blessed after the mass. Snacks were distributed to all present by Mr. George Fernandes and Family.

Bishop Duming Dias visited flood affected places of Uttara Kannada District

Bishop Duming Dias visited flood affected places of Uttara Kannada District

The monsoon had arrived with a vengeance in the coastal districts of Karwar diocese. Honavar, Kumta, and Karwar itself were accustomed to heavy rains, but this year was different. As the clouds unleashed their fury upon the Western Ghats, the peaceful landscapes transformed into scenes of chaos and devastation.

Residents are struggling as water enters their homes, leaving them unable to step outside. In some villages, especially Gundibala, Hadinbal, Kavoor, Chendia and many other places unexpected volumes of water have left roads and lands completely submerged, making navigation difficult. Rescue efforts are underway, with locals mobilizing boats to bring stranded families to safety.

There are landslides in many of the Karwar Diocese. In place called Shiroor there was a big landslide and 10 people died, some are inside the mud. Rescue work is under process. In some places like Chendia, Karwar, water has entered inside the Church.

There have been rescue centers opened, Churches opened their doors to provide shelter, schools turned into relief centers, and prayers echoed through the hills for those who had lost everything. The scars left by the floodwaters would heal with time, but the bonds forged in adversity would endure, reminding everyone that even in the darkest times, compassion and solidarity could light the way forward.

Bishop Duming Dias visited all the flood affected places along with Fr. Thomas Fernandes and Fr. Wilson Noronha. Also, along with his team doing all efforts to do whatever is possible from the diocese to these affected places.

Seminar for the teachers by Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate

Seminar for the teachers by Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate

Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate in collaboration with liturgical commission organized a one-day seminar for the teachers involved in the catechetical ministry and members who are collaborators of Holy Communion Ministry in Sirsi deanery. 49 members participated. The workshop began with the Sunday Morning Prayer presided over by Fr. Nirmal. Then, various issues connected to both ministries, their importance in the church, need of faith and personal witnessing most necessary for the teaching of Christian Truths were explained. Father also gave few tips for effective teaching, an aid to catechism: Lesson Planning. Rev Fr Valento Fernandes beautifully presented an expose of Sacro Sancto Concilium as Preparation for   the Jubilee 2025, which was well appreciated.

The Dean Very Rev Anacletus D’Mello addressed the participants and admonished them to be good in word and deed in their parishes.

The Diocesan Secretary of the Commission, Rev Nirmal Miranda took over and summed up the need to accept this as a call and Divine mandate. He clarified certain terminologies clarifying their vocation as teacher is participation in the mission of Jesus the Teacher. Fr. Nirmal celebrated the Holy Eucharist and the seminar ended with words of gratitude to Fr. Cyril D’Souza, who took care of all arrangements and generously fed the whole group with sumptuous meal.

ICYM DIOCESE OF KARWAR – DEXCO MEETING

ICYM DIOCESE OF KARWAR – DEXCO MEETING

The Diocesan Dexco team convened with Bishop Duming Dias to kickstart a transformative journey for the upcoming year. The meeting was held at Diocese Pastoral Centre on 10th July 2024. Led by the leadership of Fr. Silvan Rodrigues, the Youth Director, the meeting commenced with a warm introduction of the team with 11 members to Bishop Duming Dias, setting a tone of collaboration and enthusiasm. President Royston extended a heartfelt welcome, emphasizing the youth’s commitment to community service and spiritual growth.

Central to the agenda was the formulation of a comprehensive one-year plan aimed at fostering inclusivity, spiritual development, Strengthening and forming parish units, quality leadership and impactful community engagement. Ideas flowed freely as members discussed initiatives ranging from youth retreats to outreach programs aimed at supporting the needy.

The highlight of the gathering was the felicitation of Bishop Duming Dias, acknowledging his unwavering support and guidance for the youth. The atmosphere was filled with gratitude and hope as Bishop Duming Dias expressed his encouragement for the youth’s dedication to service and faith. He also insisted to work at the grassroot level to reach the young people.

Looking ahead, the Diocesan Dexco team is poised to embark on a transformative journey, driven by their shared values and commitment to making a positive difference in the community. With Bishop Duming Dias’s blessings, they are set to embark on a year of growth, unity, and impactful service, aiming to inspire and uplift all those they encounter. 

Young Clergy Seminar Diocese of Karwar

Young Clergy Seminar Diocese of Karwar

On 9th July 2024, at Puneeth Sadan Shirwad, in the serene setting of the Diocese of Karwar, amidst the rustling palms and gentle sea breeze, a gathering of 40 young priests and 5 deacons eagerly awaited the wisdom and guidance of their esteemed speakers. Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias, welcoming all with warmth and hospitality, set the tone for a seminar that promised deep reflection and spiritual growth.

The keynote speaker, Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga, brought a message that resonated deeply with the young clergy a message rooted in the profound importance of prayer and the transformative power of personal encounters with God. Throughout the seminar, Bishop Serrao emphasized that prayer is not just a ritual but a lifeline, a direct line of communication with God that sustains and strengthens the spirit. And also, he emphasized on the God’s experience in our life.

As the seminar concluded, the young clergy of the Diocese of Karwar departed with hearts full of inspiration and minds enlightened by the shared experiences and teachings of Bishop Serrao. They carried with them a renewed commitment to integrate prayer deeply into their daily lives and ministries, knowing that through prayer, they could continue to nurture and uplift their communities.

Young Clergy Seminar, under the guidance of Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias and enriched by the wisdom of Bishop Francis Serrao, stood as a beacon of hope and renewal, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the transformative potential of prayer in the journey of spiritual leadership.

Meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions

Meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions

The meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions was called at Punit Sadan on June 25, 2024. It began with the invocation of the Holy Spirit by the coordinating secretary of all commissions, Rev. Fr. Nirmal Miranda. He welcomed the bishop and all those present and invited them to have a fruitful interactive session. The bishop, who was meeting the secretaries for the first time, gave the key note address in which he praised those present for silently working without making any public show and explained to them the importance of deans and various commissions for the growth of the diocese. He urged the creation of second- and third-line leadership among priests, and then he enthusiastically listened to all reports of the activities of commissions. Time was given for interaction and clarification, and then he gave them a series of guidelines from his experience as director of the Diocesan Pastoral Center: planning, executing, and reporting.
Bishop thanked Fr. Alex Fernandes (family), Fr. John Rodrigues (vocations), Fr. Royston Fernandes (youth), and Salvador Rodrigues (communication and evangelization) for their dedicated service for many years and wished the best of his support to the incoming secretaries, Fr. Sachin D’Souza (family), Fr. Stewart Fernandes (communication and evangelization), and Fr. Silvan Rodrigues (youth and vocations).
The bishop then thanked everyone present for their generous availability. 

Meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions

Meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions

The meeting of Deans and Secretaries of Diocesan Commissions was called at Punit Sadan on 25th of June 2024.  It began with invocation of the Holy Spirit by the coordinating secretary of all commissions Rev. Fr. Nirmal Miranda. He welcomed the Bishop and all those present and invited them to have a fruitful interactive session. The Bishop who was meeting the secretaries for the first time gave the key note address in which he praised those present for silently working without making any public show and explained to them the importance of Deans and various commissions for the growth of the Diocese. He urged to create second and third-line leadership among priests and then he enthusiastically listened to all reporting of the activities of commissions. Time was given for interaction and clarification and then gave them a series of guidelines from his experience as director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, planning, executing and reporting.

Bishop thanked Fr. Alex Fernandes (Family), Fr. John Rodrigues (Vocation), Fr. Royston Fernandes (youth), and Salvador Rodrigues (communication/ evangelization) for their dedicated service for many years and wished best of his support to the incoming secretaries Fr.Sachin D’Souza (Family), Fr.Stewart Fernandes (communication/ evangelization), Fr.Silvan Rodrigues (youth/Vocations).

Bishop then thanked everyone present for their generous availability.

 

Very Rev. Fr. Baptist Gomes took over as the New Chancellor of the Diocese of Karwar

Very Rev. Fr. Baptist Gomes took over as the New Chancellor of the Diocese of Karwar

On 25th June 2024, in the Presence of Bishop Duming Dias, very Rev. Fr. Baptist Gomes took over as the New Chancellor of the Diocese of Karwar. Bishop Duming had heap of praises for Very Rev. Fr. Victor Dias the outgoing Chancellor for his dedicated and sincere service for the past 8 years. Rev.Fr. Baptist Gomes professed his Credo and took the oath of fidelity in bishop’s chapel when all the deans and secretaries of various commissions were present for their planning session. Then the files were exchanged and documents were signed. Rev. Fr. Baptist holds a doctorate in the Canon Law. Everyone thanked the Lord and wished best of luck to the new Chancellor. 

Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate organized a seminar for the Catechism Teachers

Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate organized a seminar for the Catechism Teachers

Diocesan Commission for Catechetical Apostolate organized a one day seminar for the teachers involved in the catechetical ministry in three deaneries Honavar, Kumta and Bhatkal respectively. 183 members participated. The workshop began with the Sunday Eucharist by our Bishop Most Rev Bishop Duming Dias in which he insisted the need of faith and personal witnessing most necessary for the teaching of Christian Truths. The height of his presence was the talk he gave about the Fundamentals of teaching, an aid to catechism Lesson Planning. Rev Dr Stany Pinto beautifully presented en expose of Sacro Sancto concilium as Preparation for the Jubilee 2025. He invited the teachers to be bearers of Christ in order to be effective teachers. The Diocesan Secretary of the Commission Rev Nirmal Miranda summed up the need to accept this as a call and Divine mandate. He clarified certain terminologies and everyone was happy with the themes and material supplied. Fr Thomas the Dean of the Honavar deanery moderated the session.