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. 

Diocesan Liturgical Commission

Diocesan Liturgical Commission

Diocesan Liturgical commission conducted a course on Theology of the Eucharist on 15th and 16th of June 2024. It was organized for those who were training to be the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in different parishes of our diocese. It was held at the Punith Sadan, the Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
Most. Rev. Duming Dias, Bishop of the Diocese inaugurated the seminar with the Eucharistic celebration and stressed the need of personal holiness in life grounded on Gospel values.
Fr. Roshan Fernandes beautifully highlighted “Passover of the Old Testament as the foreshadow of the present day Eucharist and the close relationship between both in the history of Salvation. The session conducted by Fr Sachin summed up the Sacraments, their meaning, way of administering them and effects in recipients life. Fr Gabriel on the other hand insisted participants to have personal holiness, prayer, trust in God’s mercy and to do little things with great love. Fr Nirmal Miranda spoke elaborately on sacrament of the Eucharist, its relation to priesthood, ordinary and extraordinary ministers of the sacrament of the Eucharist and also various ministries prevalent in the church.
The final day of the seminar began with prayer of the church and a brief catechesis on the liturgy of the hours followed by Eucharistic celebration by Fr Nirmal Kumar Miranda who reminded participants to be persons close to Christ. He gave elaborate guidelines regarding the life and mission of EMHC. This included “to hold most Holy Jesus in hand, we need to be holy persons in family in the church, in society and specially being holy in all that they do. Every one expressed satisfaction over the different sessions, its content and presentation. They did have heap of words of praise for the organizers and domestic staff for comfortable stay and food. Thus the seminar ended with distribution of the certificate by Fr Nirmal Miranda director of DPC. 

Marriage Enrichment Program Receives Excellent Response in Honavar Deanery

Marriage Enrichment Program Receives Excellent Response in Honavar Deanery

The Marriage Enrichment Programme was held on 16th June 2024, at Prathibhodaya, Honavar for the young married couples of Honavar Deanery. The event brought together approximately 160 participants, including both married couples and singles from the various parishes of the deanery. This day-long programme was organized by the Diocesan Family Commission to provide insightful guidance and strengthen the bonds between young married couples.
The presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias, the Bishop of Karwar was a significant highlight of the event. His Excellency presided over the Eucharist and emphasized upon the sacredness of the marital bond. He offered prayers and extended best wishes to all the married couples present.
The programme featured two insightful talks that addressed various aspects of married life. The first talk was delivered by Mrs. Irene Rebello, focusing on the balance between family-oriented and career-oriented life, and the influence of social media on family life. Her presentation shed light on the challenges young couples face in balancing their career with family responsibilities giving advices to successfully eliminate these problems to a great extent, and she also discussed how social media can both positively and negatively impact the families.
The second talk was presented by Dr. Antonio and Dr. Wilma Carvalo, who eloquently spoke about the domestic family as an image of the Holy Trinity and the importance of openness to life. They highlighted that the strength of the Catholic Church is deeply rooted in the domestic church, pointing out that the example set by Holy Family of Nazareth and family members is impactful in the upbringing of the children. They also emphasized upon keeping open to the gift of children given by God.
Following the talks, the participants engaged in group discussions, allowing them to share their experiences and learn from each other. After the group discussions, each group presented their reports, highlighting key takeaways and raising relevant questions. A clarification session followed, during which experts addressed the questions and provided further guidance on the issues raised.
The event also catered to the physical well-being of the participants by providing meals and breakfast. The meals were not only a time for nourishment but also an opportunity for informal interactions and fellowship among the attendees.
Overall, the Marriage Enrichment Programme was a resounding success, offering valuable insights, and providing spiritual enrichment to all who attended. The positive feedback from the participants underscores the importance and effectiveness of such initiatives in supporting and enriching marital relationships. 

Executive body meeting Women Commission held on 11th June 2024

Executive body meeting Women Commission held on 11th June 2024

The day began with the Eucharistic Celebration. At 10.30 am Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Duming Dais presided over the meeting. The members present for the meeting are: Rev. Fr. Nirmal Miranda – All commission Coordinator, Sr. Mabel Pinto DHM, the Diocesan Secretary for women Commission. The Diocesan women cell office bearers, Deanery Sister-coordinators and the Deanery women leaders. Totally 21 members participated in this gathering. Rev. Fr. Nirmal Kumar cordially welcomed the gathering. Thereafter, the executive members of the Diocesan women Commission felicitated Bishop Duming Dias, with joy. The report of the women commission was highlighted through PPT by Sr. Mabel Pinto. Each deanery leader got the opportunity to share about the activities taken place in their respective deanery. Bishop appreciated the work that is been implemented in and through the Parish, Deanery as well as Diocesan level women’s commission. The bishop then guided the commission to reach the higher goals through the commission. He spoke
• Training of the trainers needs to be organized, for women leader of the diocese.
• To build and strengthen local governance and motivate leadership at panchayat and taluk level. The already existing leaders need to be felicitated and encouraged.
• A financial backbone is a must and that need to be created for better functioning of
the Women commission.
Other points brought to the discussions were: Annual Retreat for women. Program for Widows, Income generating process in women commission for economic stability, 6th National Conference of Women commission, at Odisha in September 2024 and Annual contribution of women towards Diocesan women’s commission. The Diocesan women Commission Secretary Sr. Mabel Pinto thanked all those who all the participants. The bishop blessed the gathering, thus the meeting Concluded with Hymn to mother Mary.