It is with expectation of great joy, faith and enthusiasm that we have stepped into the new Pastoral Year 2011-2012. Surely the Pastoral Year is another gift from God to our Archdiocese to help us grow in holiness, come closer to God and blossom as human beings. In this spirit kindly allow me to wish you on behalf of the Committee for the On-going Formation of Priests – Fr. Donato Rodrigues, Fr. Joseph Estrocio, Fr. Mathew D’Souza, sfx, Mrs. Nirmala Fernandes and Dr. Roshan Nazareth – and on my own behalf, a very fruitful and grace-filled Pastoral Year 2011-2012. 

As you are aware, this year, our Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão has brought out his Pastoral Letter focussing on environment. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, our Archbishop says: “The environment must be seen as God’s gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility to all humanity, especially the poor and future generations” (Past. Letter 2011-2012, 3.2.5. by Arch. Filipe Neri Ferrão). Having this theme in mind and other topics (shortlisted by the Committee from the 50 themes suggested by our Priests at the Monthly Meeting) we have chosen relevant topics so that we could enrich ourselves physically and spiritually after attending the Monthly Meetings of Priests:

1. (JULY) “Overview of the Pastoral Letter (2011-2012)”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 14th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 21st  

Clergy Home         Margão 28th  

2. (AUGUST) “Conscientizing our flock on how to live in harmony with nature”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 11th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 18th 

Clergy Home         Margão 25th 

3. (SEPTEMBER) “Welcoming the New Missal: Liturgy”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 08th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 15th 

Clergy Home         Margão 22nd    

4. (OCTOBER) “Priests’ relationship: team work and collaboration”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 13th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 20th   

Clergy Home         Margão 27th   

5. (NOVEMBER) “Spirituality of a Diocesan Priest”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 10th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 17th 

Clergy Home         Margão 24th  

6. (DECEMBER) “”

Pastoral Institute – joint meeting of all 3 Centres   Old Goa 15th 

7. (JANUARY) “Moral themes on sexuality”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 12th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 19th   

Clergy Home         Margão 26th  

8. (FEBRUARY) “How can the renewal of the Church be spiritually oriented”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 9th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 16th 

Clergy Home         Margão 23rd   

9. (MARCH) “How to manage our (priests’) health?”

St. Jerome’s Church Complex Mapusa 8th 

Pastoral Institute St. Pius X         Old Goa 15th 

Clergy Home         Margão 22nd  

The programme for each meeting will be thus:

Prayer 10.00 a.m.

Tea break and fellowship 10.30 a.m.

Input session and interaction 11.00 a.m.

Lunch 01.15 p.m. 

 

21st  – 27th August, 2011     -  Rachol Seminary, Rachol, preached by Fr. Anil Dev, IMS

9th – 15th October, 2011     -  Retreat Centre, Pilar, preached by Bishop Valerian D’Souza

08th – 14th January, 2012    -  Retreat Centre, Pilar, preached by Fr. Michael Alossonai, s.j.

Priests willing to participate in the above Retreats are kindly requested to contact the respective Rector/Procurator or Directors of the Institute for registration and further information.

 

Jul. 11 (Mon) – 15  (Fri) Pastoral Health Care      - Fr. Joe Pereira

Aug.  1 (Mon) – 05 (Fri) Legal Matters      - Fr. P. D. Mathew, s.j.

Sept. 12 (Mon) -  16 (Fri) Gospel Encounter with Cultures  - Fr. S.M. Michael, svd

Oct. 03 (Mon) – 07 (Fri) Youth Ministry       - Fr. Anthony Fernandes & Team

Oct. 17 (Mon) – 21 (Fri) Adult Catechesis    - Fr. Aniceto Pereira

Priests willing to take part in the above Courses have to register themselves previously with the Secretary of the Pastoral Institute,  St. Pius X, Old Goa. Participation in all sessions of the course is a must (9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.) 

Whilst thanking you for your kind collaboration in the past, I wish you once again a Pastoral Year filled with God’s blessings, courage and lots of enthusiasm,

 

 Fraternally yours,

 

fr. joseph rowland-salema

(Convenor of the Committee

for the Ongoing Formation for Priests)