Circular 24/2025
- Nashik Catholic Diocese
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
July 01, 2025
My dear collaborators,
We have completed one month of the new pastoral/academic year. I am sure you will be happy to note that much has happened in the month gone by: our children have returned from their holidays and for those who have boardings/hostels: our joy is limitless to have them back with us; the meetings with the Parish Pastoral Council members, Parish Finance Committee and Parish Property will have been held; Sunday School classes and Confirmation classes will have resumed, etc.; much has happened and thanks be to God, we have tried our level best to be at the service of the people entrusted to our pastoral care. You have gone out of your way to be pastoral in your approach and for this, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to each of you.
During the month gone by, I am sure some of you will have new priests and/or religious men and women 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”.
For us at the level of the Diocese, I must say that we had an enriching meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at the Nashik Social Service Society Hall. I was happy to interact with you and communicate the four types of closeness that is much needed: closeness to God; closeness to the Bishop; closeness to priests and closeness to the people. May I reiterate what I informed you during the meeting: please ensure that we need to take the catechesis for our children seriously. I have observed that there are a few parishes in our Diocese that do not have Sunday School classes and organize First Holy Communion and Confirmation after having organized a seminar, lasting just a few days. I think this is not proper. As mentioned to you, I do not mind coming to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to the youngsters of your parish twice or thrice, but the youth have to be fully prepared, after having gone through a proper syllabus. For those who need the First Holy Communion and Confirmation syllabus, please speak to Fr Prakash Bhalerao SJ (Mobile Number 9423029406), Diocesan Catechetical Coordinator; I am sure he will be more than happy to be of service to you. Also, please ensure that the youth of your parish meet at least once a month, if not more. Our youth are the pillars of the Church; the late Pope Francis, in Christus Vivit, said, “our youth are the present of the Church; allow them to come to the Church premises; do not forbid them; it is they who will make the Church youthful and dynamic by their presence”. May I repeat what I have just stated: please have regular meetings with the youth. For those of you who are finding it difficult to interact with the youth or due to lack of priests, you may invite the Religious men and women to take charge of the youth of your parish. I leave that decision to you. For more information regarding the youth ministry, please telephone Fr Kishor Vidhate, Diocesan Youth Director, Mobile Number 9881747600.
Another area that needs attention is the formation of the Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in our parishes. For those parishes that have not yet formed the SCCs, our Parish Priests are hereby requested to form them at the earliest. Formation of the SCCs is the need of the hour and we cannot ignore and/or pay a deaf ear to the SCCs. Some years ago, the Bishops of the country took a decision that they would form the SCCs in the parishes of their respective (Arch)dioceses. I would want to see the formation of the SCCs happen in our Diocese. Similarly, please select and/or elect Animators who will be the important people to have meetings in the SCCs. These meetings must be held in the SCCs once a month. For training of the SCC Animators and/or more information regarding the SCCs, please telephone Fr Vishal Tribhuvan, Diocesan Director of the SCCs (Mobile Number: 9588423670); Fr Vishal will be more than happy to train the SCC Animators.
One of the ways by which we can be pastoral in our approach is when we undertake a systematic visitation to the homes of our parishioners. I am aware of the fact that most of you if not all are extremely busy in your pastoral duties; my earnest request to you is to set one day in the week aside so that you can visit your parishioners. Visiting is an important aspect of our pastoral care and responsibility. And so, may I request you to visit your parishioners once a week.
A characteristic feature of the month of July is the celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 27. 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 your Parish Pastoral Council members will make the celebration of this day a memorable one for the grandparents and elderly.
In view of the Diocesan Board of Education meeting (Monday, July 21) and most importantly, the Vianney Day celebrations in early August, we will not be having the monthly meeting of the priests this month.
Thank you for your pastoral zeal and care which you extend towards your parishioners. 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
OUR DIOCESAN WEBSITE
Please send a short report of the interesting news (Feast Mass, School Annual Days, inauguration of a significant event, yatras, Blood Camp, Youth Days, Seminars, etc.) along with two or three high resolution photographs to nashikdiocese@gmail.com and we will surely upload the same on the Diocesan website.
MEETING OF THE DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION
Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
Timing: 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., followed by Lunch
Participants: Managers and Principals/Headmasters
