Circular 20/2026

July 01, 2026

My dear collaborators,

At the outset, I wish to express my gratitude to you for attending the clergy meeting on Thursday, June 11 which was based on the theme of the pastoral year of our Diocese: Liturgical Renewal. A few priests mentioned to me that the presentation of the topic was useful particularly the references made from Sacrosanctum Concilium. We pray that the Liturgical Renewal in our Diocese will motivate our parishioners to experience Jesus in and through the Breaking of the Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

During the month gone by, there will be new priests and/or religious men and women appointed in your presbyteries and institutions. I am sure that our newly appointed priests and religious men and women are filled with the passion and energy to be at the service of the people entrusted to their care. We need to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and become living examples of Jesus who “came not to be served, but to serve”.                      

It is one month since we have commenced a new pastoral year in our Diocese. Over the past month, our children will have started going to schools and our youth have begun their studies in their colleges. At the parish level, the children will have started attending Sunday School classes and the youth attending the youth group meetings. May I earnestly request you to ensure that our school going children attend Sunday School classes and the youth attend the weekly or fortnightly parish youth group meetings. I am sure you will also pay attention to other Association meetings. May I earnestly request you to ensure that the Animators of the Basic Ecclesial Communities and/or Small Christian Communities motivate the families of their respective Units to meet once a month in their respective Communities/Units. For those needing assistance in the formation of the BEC/SCC, please contact Fr Vishal Tribhuvan (Mobile Number: 9588423670).

I have been constantly requesting you to ensure that the Trust Papers are in its proper place and most importantly, in your custody. Please see to it that the name of the Trustee is entered in the Charity Commissioner’s records and that you have a copy of the same with your name mentioned specifically on the Order; the Audited Statements for the Financial Year, 2025-2026 are in your possession; all other extracts: 7/12, payment of the property taxes, etc. are made and a copy of the receipt is in your files, a copy of the 12A document is in your custody. Please ensure that you have the Parish Finance Committee and Parish Property Committee and that the meetings with the 2 Committees are held regularly and that  the  minutes  are  maintained  in  two  separate Books. Most importantly, 

please see to it that the Parish Pastoral Council meetings are held regularly; the members should be on the Council for only 6 years (3 years + 3 years) and the minutes of these meetings are maintained in a separate Book. We will have the formation of a new Parish Pastoral Council next year, 2027.

One of the points which I have been repeatedly emphasizing to you is to visit your parishioners in a systematic manner. Please see to it that you visit your parishioners once a week. Visiting is an important aspect of our priestly ministry and we need to visit our parishioners so that they will recognize in us the living Christ who has not forgotten HIS people. There is immense joy that our parishioners experience when you visit them and pray with them. I am confident of your cooperation.

A characteristic feature of the month of July is the celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 26. Liturgy Notes will be sent to you well in advance, but could you think of ways and means of how to celebrate this day, considering the fact that the Grandparents and elderly have played an important role in Faith Formation? I am sure you, with the help of the Parish Pastoral Council members will make the celebration of this day a memorable one for the grandparents and elderly.

Thank you for your constant collaboration, dedication and commitment towards your parishioners. I know that you are available to their needs and that you reach out to them in their hour of need.  May the Good Lord continue to inspire you to be at the service of the people entrusted to your care.

God bless you and with every good wish,

Yours in Christ,

✠Barthol Barretto

Bishop, Diocese of Nashik