The faithful of St. Anthony’s Church, Gund, were blessed with the pastoral visit of Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias on 21st and 22nd February 2026. At his arrival, the bishop was warmly welcomed by the parish priest, Fr. Remend Fernandes, along with the parishioners. The visit then commenced with a meaningful prayer service. Preparations for the Sunday Liturgy were conducted in the wado, with active and enthusiastic participation from the parishioners, reflecting their unity and generous spirit of service.
On the following day, the bishop began the morning with a prayer service at the cemetery, lovingly remembering the departed souls of the parish. This was followed by Adoration and Morning Prayer, which created a serene and reflective atmosphere. The solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Bishop Duming Dias, became the spiritual highlight of the visit. The faithful participated devoutly, making the Eucharistic celebration deeply prayerful and enriching.
In his pastoral address, Bishop Duming Dias encouraged the parish community to deepen their faith, strengthen family bonds, and remain united in love and service. He expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the various parish groups and urged them to continue their active involvement in the mission of the Church.
During the visit, special meetings were held with the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and the Parish Finance Council (PFC) to review pastoral activities and developmental initiatives. The Bishop also met with the Women’s League, ICYM members, Children’s Club, and Altar Servers, attentively listening to their activities, challenges, and future plans, and offering guidance and encouragement.
A significant and touching aspect of the visit was the Bishop’s outreach to the sick and elderly, where he offered prayers, blessings, and pastoral care. The visit concluded with a meeting with the parish priest to reflect on pastoral planning and to further strengthen the spiritual growth and mission of the parish community. The Pastoral Visit was truly a blessed moment of grace and renewal for St. Anthony’s Church, Gund, fostering unity, collaboration, and a deeper commitment to faith and service.
