Circular 16/2026

June 01, 2026

My dear collaborators,

            As we begin a new pastoral year, our hearts are filled with praise and gratitude as we have been gifted with one more year. If we look at the year gone by, while there has been much achieved in our parishes, Schools and institutions, we must admit to certain inabilities in executing some of our responsibilities. While we appreciate the achievements, let us be honest enough in evaluating our inabilities. We  are grateful to our loving God of “second chances” who continues to give us the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, our Lord and Master and imitate HIM in our ministry as we make ourselves available as HIS instruments of service to the people entrusted to our care.

In a number of our parishes and institutions, we will have new Team members. It is with immense joy and happiness that I welcome each of my brothers and sisters to the parishes and institutions in the Diocese of Nashik. We will work together and ensure that the spirit of synodality is maintained wherever we are: not merely in words, but also in deeds. We need to work together so that the people we minister to must realize that ours is a Synodal Church and together we will work for the growth of our people and see that they too experience joy and happiness in their lives amidst the challenges they face in their families and/or places of work.

To the Managers and Principals of the Schools and Junior/Degree Colleges in our Diocese: may I request you to please ensure that our Teachers and Support Staff do not engage in corporal punishment. Most importantly, all male teachers should be requested not to touch girls at all: be it in the classrooms and/or corridors and/or on the School Grounds. In some Dioceses, there have been cases that have been reported to the police and strict action has been taken on such teachers. I am confident of your wholehearted support and collaboration in this important matter which needs urgent attention.

As we get into a new academic year, after much prayer and reflection, I have decided to devote this year to Liturgical Renewal in our Diocese. We need to do much in this area as “the Liturgy is the source and summit of Christian life”. Much has been happening in the parishes of our Diocese; much more needs to be done so that our people may continue to experience joy and happiness in their lives, each time they visit the parishes and/or Shrines in our Diocese. I intend to have a meeting with all the priests appointed to the parishes and/or Shrines so that whatever is communicated as far as the Liturgical norms is concerned is followed in all the parishes and/or Shrines in our Diocese.

The Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has earnestly urged all the Bishops of the country to implement the pastoral plan (2033) in all the (Arch)Dioceses. I am making a special request to all the Coordinators of the various Diocesan Commissions to see that the plan is followed be it the Basic Christian Communities (Small Christian Communities), Catechetics, Youth, Family, Communications, Health, Laity, Ecology, Women, etc. His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao has been reminding us from time to time to ensure that the plan is followed in all the Dioceses of our country. We will get the Coordinators of the Diocesan Commissions to arrange one meeting so that all of us work towards the implementation of the Pastoral Plan (2033) in our Diocese.

I have arranged a meeting of all the priests (Diocesan and Religious) of our Diocese on THURSDAY, JUNE 11 from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. followed by lunch. Please note that this meeting is compulsory and will be held in the Nashik Social Service Hall, Bishop’s House campus.

Pope Leo has already announced a special Jubilee Year of St Francis to mark the 8^th centenary of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027. During this year, all of us are invited to follow the example of St Francis of Assisi by living lives of holiness and being witnesses of peace. The Apostolic Penitentiary grants a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, to those who devoutly participate in the Jubilee celebrations. This indulgence may be received by one and all who undertake a pilgrimage to a Franciscan Friary (residence of the Friars Minor)/ Church/Chapel/Shrine or place dedicated to St Francis. I feel happy to inform you that the Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at St Anne Cathedral, Nashik from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Details will be communicated to you by Fr Basil Lobo OFM.

Permit me to remind you that I have been constantly reminding and urging you to visit your parishioners. Visiting is one of the important aspects in our pastoral ministry. If we do not visit our parishioners, we will become merely functionaries. It is my desire that all of us become pastoral in our nature; and hence, I am urging you to devote once a week (any one particular day of the week) to visit your parishioners. You do not know the joy and happiness your parishioners will experience when you visit them, talk to them and before you leave, pray with them. I believe that when you visit your parishioners, the Lord will bless you tremendously and you will find joy and happiness in your lives. Please visit the sick and the elderly people with Holy Communion on the First Fridays of the month. If possible, please make yourself available to them and hear their Confessions and absolve them from their sins.

Could we also resolve to pray every day? For those who have the clergy teams, could you, for example, pray the Rosary after dinner every day or pray the Compline every night? We need to be seen as men and women who pray to God daily and live lives connected to God. If we only make it a point to pray, believe me, you will experience peace, joy and happiness in your lives and the Lord will continue to bless and protect you every day.

The last request that I want to make to you is to ensure that you have the Parish Pastoral Council meetings every month (please ensure that the members are not more than 6 years on the PPC); the Parish Finance Committee meetings (once in three months): the minutes of both these meetings are recorded and the attendance register is signed by the members present for the meetings. Meetings of the Cells and Associations should be held either once a week or a fortnight and the minutes of the meetings must be maintained in a special book.

Thank you for all the selfless services that you render to the people entrusted to your care, and with an assurance of prayer and good wish, I end

Yours in Christ,

✠Barthol Barretto

Bishop, Diocese of Nashik