Pastoral Enrichment Programme for PPC Members
Dear Deans/Parish Priests/Chaplains/PPC ExCo Members
SUB: Pastoral Enrichment Programme for PPC Members
May the Holy Spirit continue to be with us all in our Parochial Ministry
We are soon going to commence the Pastoral Year 2023-2024, during which will reflect on this command of Jesus, “You also should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13: 15). In order to empower the functioning of the Diocesan, Deanery and Parish Pastoral Councils, constant on-going formation and assessment of the functioning of the councils is necessary. Keeping in mind the need for the ongoing formation of the lay leaders in parishes and also taking some inspiration from the feedback received from consultations held at the Diocesan level in view of SYNOD 2023-24, the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat along with Diocesan Pastoral Council, is organizing a Pastoral Enrichment Programme for all the Parish Pastoral Council members at 5 different locations in the month of June and July. The details of the same are as follows:
| Date: | For whom? | Venue |
| 11 June | PPC members of all parishes in Central Zone | SJVSRC, Old Goa |
| 18 June | PPC members of all parishes in Canacona Deanery | Agonda Parish Hall, Agonda |
| 25 June | PPC members of all parishes in Pernem Deanery | Arambol Parish Hall, Arambol |
| 16 July | PPC members of all parishes in North Zone (Except Pernem Deanery) | Mapusa Parish Hall, Mapusa |
| 30 July | PPC members of all parishes in South Zone (Except Canacona Deanery) | Navelim Parish Hall, Navelim |
The time of the session on each day will be 9.30 am to 4.00 pm. Eucharist will be included in the programme. If in case any member(s) cannot attend the session on that day, can take part on the other day at a different venue as indicated above.
We request you to kindly intimate the members in your Pastoral Council and request them to make it for the same. The names and details of the members to be attending the session must be mailed to the DPS at ([email protected]) and /or given to DePC ExCo members (via WhatsApp) in the format attached one week prior to the session for your respective parish/deanery.
This pastoral enrichment programme at the onset of the pastoral year aims to help all the members to grow in faith as lay leaders, thereby making Pastoral Councils more effective instruments of pastoral action in their parish. Moreover the reflection on the pastoral letter of the Archbishop for the pastoral year 2023-24 and practical tips and suggestions for implementation shared will be of great help in this regard. Hence, we request the participants to carry their copies of the pastoral letter. For those who do not have, the same will be made available at the venue. It is advisable that all the members plan to journey together. This should make their journey pleasant, their participation interesting and the entire session, hopefully, productive and useful.
In order to continue the on-going formation of the PPC members, the DPS along with the DPC would be sharing material for faith-formative input sessions of 15-Mins duration. This would also help us to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in 2023-24 and the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier, to be held in 2024-2025,
Thanking you and wishing you good health and blessings in your pastoral ministry,
Fr. Leo Fernandes Executive Secretary
Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat