Circular - November 2026
November 01, 2026
My dear collaborators,
We have just entered into a new month: the month of November. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints: a day that is set aside to reflect on the call to live a life of holiness. By virtue of our Baptism, all of us are called to live a life of holiness; we are called to unite ourselves to God and to live holy lives. The Saints who are in heaven have taught us to live holy lives. Though they were human like us, they said YES to God, and NO to sin. Indeed, we must be happy and joyful, for we have examples and role models of men and women who have led good lives for each one of us to follow. I firmly believe that as priests, religious men and women, we too received a call from Jesus to follow HIM who came “not to be served, but to serve and to give HIS life as a ransom for many.” Hence, I earnestly request you to minister to your parishioners in a spirit of love, care and concern, so that our people may recognise the living Jesus in and through your pastoral ministry.
We commemorate ALL SOULS DAY tomorrow, a day which is special to those who have lost their loved ones and are in a state of grief. Perhaps, we have people from our own families who have died and are with the Lord in heaven; our brother priests who ministered to the people in our Diocese of Nashik, and our parishioners who are no more with us. I earnestly request you to pray for our brothers and sisters when you celebrate the Eucharist tomorrow so that they may continue to intercede for us before the throne of God. I am sure our parishioners will come to the church tomorrow in large numbers, and most of you will also go to the villages to celebrate the Eucharist. In those parishes that have cemeteries, please see that you (priests) bless the graves; this is a special moment for our brothers and sisters, and they would certainly be happy that you are blessing the graves of their loved ones.
Another important date in November is Children’s Day that will be celebrated on Saturday, November 14. Most of us believe that children are special gifts given to us by God, and hence, as priests and religious men and women of God, we have to take care of the children entrusted to us; we need to lead them by example and also teach them values of love, joy, peace, goodwill, and most importantly, encourage them to pray and come for Sunday Mass. There have been occasions in my ministry when I have seen very few children in church for Sunday Mass and Sunday School classes. At times, I wonder what is the future of the Church if we do not have children coming for Sunday Mass!!! Could you, as priests, organise a programme for children on Saturday, November 14 OR Sunday, November 15; speak to the children about the importance of prayer and attending Sunday Mass. I believe that the Lord will most certainly bless you as you are taking care of the innocent ones in your parish.
We will be celebrating the 10th World Day of the Poor on Sunday, November 15. It was Pope Francis of revered memory who instituted the celebration of the World Day of the Poor way back in 2017. And since then the Universal Church has been celebrating the World Day of the Poor annually. Pope Leo has already announced the theme for this celebration – THE LORD IS THE REFUGE OF THE POOR (Psalm 14: 6). Enclosed, please find the entire message of the 10th World Day of the Poor.
May I request you to please see that the poor families in your parish are not abandoned. Please motivate the Animators of the Small Christian Communities to visit the homes of the poor, and bring a ray of sunshine and joy into the lives of our brothers and sisters who are poor, and have no one to care for them. You could also visit our poor brothers and sisters and pray over them and bless them.
We will end the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King on Sunday, November 22. It is customary that we reflect on our role as priests, and examine if we are really walking in the footsteps of Jesus who taught us to be servants, refraining from taking the place of authority. One of the persons who has taught us to be service-oriented is St Teresa of Kolkata; a person who reached out to the poorest of the poor by her acts of joyful service. Could we become conscious of our role as priests and reach out to the marginalised, exploited and have-nots?? If we visit such people regularly, I am sure they will be delighted to receive you and your blessings.
The Season of Advent will begin from Sunday, November 29. Could you (with the help of the Parish Pastoral Council members) draw up a programme to make the Season of Advent a preparation to celebrate Christmas joyfully? One of the ways I am proposing is by organising the Sacrament of Reconciliation in your parishes. Could we, as priests, sit for Confessions every Friday or every Saturday or every Sunday?? I am aware of the fact that you are busy on Sundays with Sunday School classes, youth group meetings, etc. But our people come to church in large numbers on Sundays. I am sure they will be delighted to make their confession and experience the joy of reconciliation with the Lord in their lives.
As I conclude this circular, I thank you for your selfless services towards the people entrusted to your pastoral care. You are doing wonderfully well. May we grow to be Missionaries of love in our Diocese, drawing grace and strength from Jesus, our Lord and Master, and spreading His love, especially to the poor and needy in our diocese.
God bless you and with every good wish,
Yours in Christ,
✠Barthol Barretto
Bishop, Diocese of Nashik
