Eparchy of Melbourne Prepares for Jubilee 2025

Webinar on Jubilee 2025 for the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne

On Tuesday, 17 October 2024, the priests of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne, came together on Zoom for a remarkable webinar to prepare for the Holy Year Jubilee 2025.

Msgr. Francis Kolencherry, Vicar General and Convenor of the Webinar, warmly welcomed the gathering, inspiring them with the call: "Let us join hands in preparing ourselves for the Holy Year Jubilee 2025, and we shall resolve to walk as 'pilgrims of hope.'"

Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, the National Coordinator for Jubilee 2025, shared profound insights on the Jubilee preparations and celebrations, beautifully connecting them to the synodal journey of the Church.

His Excellency Most Rev. John Panamthottathil CMI, Bishop of the Eparchy, encouraged the priests with Pope Francis' words: "Let us fan the flame of hope in our Eparchy."

This spirit-filled gathering united hearts and minds to embrace the mission of hope and renewal as the Jubilee 2025 draws near. 

Let us journey together as one community of faith, ready to celebrate this extraordinary time of grace and transformation! 

25 Years of Ecclesia in Asia: PMO PMU CCBI International Symposium

The international symposium, “Towards a Fully Synodal and Missionary Church in Asia: Re-reading Ecclesia in Asia for the Jubilee Year”, commemorating 25 years of Ecclesia in Asia, was held on December 13-14, 2024, at St. John’s NAHS, Bangalore. The hybrid-mode event brought together 450 participants, including bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful, from across Asia and beyond.

The symposium was organized by the Pontifical Mission Organizations - India, in collaboration with the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), International Secretariat, and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).

In his video message to the participants, His Eminence Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle emphasized the significance of re-engaging with Ecclesia in Asia in contemporary contexts. “The revisiting of Ecclesia in Asia does not mean critiquing it, but applying it to our present context,” he remarked, urging the Church in Asia to rediscover its missionary zeal and adapt to current realities.

His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, in his felicitation address, highlighted the importance of unity and mission. “This gathering invites us to reflect on and celebrate our unity with the universal Church and to respond to the unique challenges and opportunities in our Asian context. It inspires us to embrace our mission with new enthusiasm, striving to embody the spirit of communion, participation, and mission envisioned by Pope Francis for a synodal Church.”

Archbishop of Bangalore, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, pointed to key pastoral priorities derived from Ecclesia in Asia, including lay empowerment, youth ministry, family care, interfaith dialogue, and addressing poverty.

Very Rev. Dr. Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, Secretary General of the PMU, presented the keynote address. In his address he underlined that Ecclesia in Asia was written “within a Christological and missionary framework.”

His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Ambrose Pitchaimuthu, Bishop of Vellore and Director of Pontifical Mission Organizations - India, extended a warm welcome to the gathering, underscoring the significance of the symposium in renewing the Church’s missionary commitment in Asia as it approaches the Jubilee Year.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary to the CCBI, Rev. Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam, Director of St. John's NAHS, Rev. Sr. Dr. Lalitha Thomas SJT, Synod Participant were among the dignitaries.

The speakers were: Rev. Fr. Dr. Clarence Devadass, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Rev. Sr. Dr. Patricia Santos RJM, Pune, India; Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, Dharmapuri, India; Most Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakumthala, Kannur, India; Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Mangalore, India; Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Davis James, Bangalore, India; and Rev. Fr. Charles Vijay Kumar CSsR, Bangalore, India.

The panel discussion held on the theme "Re-writing Ecclesia in Asia: Imagining a Document for Asia’s Future Church synodal and missionary by nature" attracted more participants. The speakers were Mr. Sagar Gabbeta (a young person's perspective), Ms. Mary Priyadarshini (a lay / woman's perspective), Rev. Fr. Dr. Vincent Chinnadurai (a pastor's perspective), and Prof. Dr. Shilanand Hemraj (a non-Christian perspective). The panel was coordinated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Roy Lazar, Vellore, India.

The valedictory session was presided over by Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Vimalraj Hiruthya, Associate Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, who situated the international symposium in the context of the forthcoming Plenary Assembly of the CCBI on "Discerning Pathways for Synodal Missionary Church."

The symposium facilitated robust discussions on re-reading Ecclesia in Asia to inspire a fully synodal and missionary Church in Asia. The event served as a clarion call for the Church in Asia to embody the spirit of Pope Francis’ vision of communion, participation, and mission while addressing the unique pastoral realities of the Asian continent.

Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, the Program Coordinator, proposed read out the final statement, spelling out 12 calls to action: (i) Deepen the synodal journey; (ii) Foster inter religious and ecumenical dialogue; (iii) Promote evangelisation through witness; (iv) Support contextual theologies and liturgies; (v) Empower marginalised communities; (vi) Enhance formation programs; (vii) Empower lay participation; (viii) Prioritise youth and family ministry; (ix) Care for creation; (x) Utilise digital media for mission; (xi) Celebrate Asian spirituality; and (xii) Enter the Jubilee Year with purpose. 

The International Symposium on Ecclesia in Asia has set a transformative path for the Asian Church, fostering inclusivity, dialogue, and missionary zeal. It has reignited the commitment to living out the Gospel message as a synodal and missionary Church in Asia, in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025.

“The symposium was a profound reminder of the Church’s mission in Asia. The sessions were inspiring and relevant, particularly the call for inclusivity in our synodal journey," Rev. Fr. B. Paulraj, Archdiocese of Madurai.

“I was especially moved by the panel discussion, which brought fresh and diverse perspectives to Ecclesia in Asia. It was thought-provoking and truly synodal in spirit,” Mrs. Clara Fernandes, Bangalore.

“This event was a perfect preparation for the Jubilee 2025. The discussions on evangelization in the digital age were insightful and necessary for today’s Church,” Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak, Berhampur.

Photos courtesy: Fr. Joel Mendonca CSC

Gwalior Diocese towards Jubilee 2025

As the Universal Church prepares for the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope, the Diocese of Gwalior has taken a significant step forward by convening a gathering of 96 priests, religious, and lay faithful on Thursday, 5 December '24, to discern pastoral priorities. This inspiring event, held in the spirit of the ongoing synodal journey, reflects the Diocese's commitment to fostering a synodal Church rooted in communion, participation, and mission.

The gathering was graced by the presence of His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Thykkattil, who, in his presidential address, emphasized the essence of Jubilee as "a time for celebrating God's mercy on us individually and collectively." His words set the tone for the day, inspiring the participants to reflect on God’s abundant blessings and the call to live as witnesses of His mercy.

The event was meticulously organized by Rev. Fr. John D'Souza and Rev. Fr. Arokia Dass, with the sessions animated by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi. A key highlight of the program was the introduction of Communio, a call to deepened communion with God and one another, which aligns seamlessly with the vision of a synodal Church.

During the session, participants engaged in meaningful discussions, prayerful discernment, and strategic planning. At the conclusion, they resolved to dedicate themselves to three key commitments: Prayer, Solidarity, and Mission.

This collaborative effort marks a milestone in the Diocese's journey towards Jubilee 2025. The spirit of hope and determination among the faithful signals a readiness to embrace the grace of this holy year, making it a transformative moment for the Diocese of Gwalior.

Photos courtesy: Fr. Pramod