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Pope Francis at the opening address of the Synod in October 2021 said that ‘we must not forget God’s style, which is closeness, compassion and tender love.’ It was a time when the fear of death and dying masked in the form of Covid19 pandemic played havoc with life and hope.  The pope then emphasized that he envisaged ‘a church that does not stand aloof from life, but immerses itself in today’s problems and needs, bandaging wounds and healing broken hearts with the balm of God.’ When wearing masks and maintaining distance and quarantine were becoming the new normal and covid was becoming synonymous with hopeless end, Synodality was ushered in to pave the way for an endless hope.

“Dear brothers and sisters” said Pope Francis during the Homily at the opening of the Synod, “Let us have a good journey together, may we be pilgrims in love with the Gospel and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit. Let us not miss out the grace filled opportunities born of encounter, listening and discernment.” This was something the world was waiting to hear, a call to break free from the clutches and confinements of the culture of death and dying of our time and to journey forward on the road to life and living, warming one another’s heart to move together spreading the good news. So that with synodality being our way of life for the future  all our tower of Babel confusions and divisions may give way to the one heart and mind with a spirit of unity and understanding of the Pentecost.

Fr. Babu Jose Pamplany OFM

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On the occasion of the World Synod of Bishops, I had the privilege of attending the 1st World Meeting of Professional Lay Ministers on the theme of ‘Beyond clericalism, for the people’s sake on the empowerment of non-ordinary ministers’. This meeting was organized from the 1st of October to the 5th of October 2023 in Rome by the Association of Professional Pastoral Ministers in Germany, which at this moment might be the largest organization of full-time lay theologians in the world.

The meeting aimed at bringing together theologically educated laity and pastoral lay ministers from all continents to reflect on their status, role, and mission in a synodal church. The meeting also aimed at empowering lay ministers (non-ordained but theologically educated professional pastoral ministers) working in various countries all over the world given the fact that though their work is a long-given reality in the Roman Catholic Church, it still seems to be overshadowed many times by subversive ecclesial perspectives.  Also though this ministry reveals an ecclesiological alternative to the “classical” dualism between clergy and laity, it is neither well-known nor largely accepted.

THE PEOPLE & THE PROCESS

The meeting was attended by 22 professional lay ministers and theologians from 12 countries – Bolivia, Austria, Switzerland, Peru, Philippines, Ghana, India, USA, Germany, Korea, and Slovenia. In our five days together we prayed, discussed, shared amazing meals, and also had the chance to visit some important historical sites of Rome. We got to know each other, shared our experiences, and listened to each other as we engaged in the various processes designed to help us connect and reflect. Some members of our group attended the opening Mass of the Synod on the 4th of October to show our solidarity with the Synod process. In addition to our exchange and as a fitting conclusion to our process, there was also a meeting with the participants of the Synod at an official evening get-together. The outcomes of the reflections of the meeting (which had been synthesized and compiled in a paper) were then shared with the Synod delegates. Through our interactions with the delegates and the paper, we hope that their voices would influence the processes of the World Synod of Bishops so that lay ministries could become a sign of hope for the emerging Church.

Ms Grace David

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Ubuntu is a profound Nguni Bantu term that encapsulates a fundamental essence of African culture, translated as “I am because we are.” This concept emphasizes the interdependence of all people, highlighting that our individual well-being is intertwined with the well-being of others. In a philosophical sense, Ubuntu signifies a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity and eloquently underscores the intrinsic values of community, compassion, and mutual respect. In a world increasingly marked by individualism, violence, hate, and extreme secularism within the Church, Ubuntu becomes relevant, serving as a beacon, inspiring a longing for global solidarity, moving from aloneness to ‘we’ness. Pope Francis, a vocal advocate for synodality, revitalizes a ‘we’ Church that stimulates a ‘journeying together’; promotes one human community celebrating diversity; and suggests a Pilgrim Church that is always in movement, embracing global Catholic solidarity.

A ‘We’ Church: Navigating Beyond Comfort Zones

With each stroke of his pen in the ecclesiastical writings, Pope Francis, challenges Catholics to move beyond comfort zones. In a special way, Evangelii Gaudium urges outreach to the peripheries, Laaudato si’ emphasizes the urgent need for care for the Earth, Fratelli Tutti highlights the importance of universal fraternity, and synodality awakens and strengthens the ecclesial ‘we’, practicing communion at the service of the ‘common home’.

In his quest for a synodal Church, Pope Francis not only preaches, but also practices this ‘we’ philosophy, creating a harmonious resonance that reverberates throughout the ecclesiastical landscape. Once during his visit to the regional seminary in Bologna, Italy, Pope Francis posed a thought-provoking question to the seminarians: “What is the opposite of ‘I’?” Anticipating a simple ‘you’ in response, the seminarians were surprised when the Pope gently shook his head. He patiently explained, “No, the word ‘I’ denotes an individual, as does ‘you’. It’s illogical for singular words to be opposites. The true opposite of ‘I’ is ‘we’, representing the rich fabric of communitarian plurality.” The event loudly speaks of an inclusive, multicultural, and interconnected ‘we’ Church. This metaphorical shift from fragmented singular to communitarian plural represents the fertile diversity and collective existence that defines a synodal Church.

Fr Jayaseelan Savariarpitchai SDB

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As we all know, we are in an era of ever-increasing finance related statutory compliance. As days go by, the volume of compliance keeps increasing so much that quite many of us are at a loss. As a help for those who may need, here I have tried to list them, some old provisions but many new changes, so that we are familiar with the list and learn to comply.

Income Tax-related Compliance

1. As per section 12AB, once every 5 years charitable and religious trusts registered u/s 12A have to get their 12A, henceforth 12AB, renewed.
2. Trusts registered under 12A (12AB) get tax exemption on all their income, if 85% of the annual income is spent [except corpus donation (section 11(1)(d)] in India on their objectives spelt out in their Memorandum of Association [section 11(1)].
3. As per section 139(4A), if income of the trust is beyond the basic exempt income, which is Rs 2.5 lakhs for now, the accounts have to be audited and Income Tax Return has to be filed.
4. As per section 139(1), IT exemption is denied ipso facto if form 10 is not filed before the due date u/s 139(1).
5. No modification of the objects of the trust without permission from Commissioner of Income Tax.
6. Corpus donation made to another trust cannot be claimed as an application (cannot be part of the 85% application). However, a trust can make a corpus donation to another trust from its 15% savings of the current year’s income.

Fr Alex G SJ

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About two years before his ordination, this seminarian who belonged to the Holy Cross Congregation, was diagnosed with advanced tuberculosis. He had to be in the hospital for months. After a year the doctors told him he had only two options. He could have surgery, which was risky and did not guarantee a cure. What do you think was the other option? Prayer.

He had a wise mentor, Fr Cornelius Hagerty, of the Holy Cross Congregation. He urged the gravely sick seminarian to pray to our Blessed Mother. “What she asks for and insists on she always gets. She has never failed anyone who went to her with faith and perseverance.” The seminarian started praying the Rosary which had been a part of his life when he grew up.

After a week of ardent prayer, the seminarian surprised the doctors by declaring he had been cured. They examined him and were astounded to find he had indeed been cured. So his priestly formation continued and he was ordained, along with his older brother, on 15 June 1941. “That day I gave my heart and soul in love to Mary,” he said. He was Fr. Patrick Peyton, who came to be known around the world as ‘The Rosary priest’.

FR M.A. Joe Antony SJ

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In 2025, the Catholic Church will observe a significant milestone, as it marks the Jubilee Year, a sacred period with the inspiring theme “Pilgrims of Hope” bestowed by Pope Francis. In the following article, Sister Celine contemplates the profound spiritual significance of this upcoming event and delves into the spiritual journey that the Church is summoned to embark upon.

Fruitful Memories of two Jubilees:

GREAT JUBILEE 2000 called by Pope John Paul II, held from December 1999 to January 6, 2001, as a celebration of the Mercy of God, prepared for it with a three-year intense preparation. It ushered the Church into the third millennium of her history. Putting aside all historical divisions the Church celebrated the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, as a special time of grace of God.

Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

We celebrated the extraordinary jubilee of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20,2016.   In calling for this Jubilee year, Pope Francis encouraged us

• to grow ever more convinced of God’s Mercy,
• to discover the face of God’s Mercy,
• to show that face of mercy to the world through our words and actions,
• to put aside all fear and dread, and
• encounter that grace which transforms all things.

Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA

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God’s Best Ideas!

Fr Fio Mascarenhas (1998)

This publication is a concise guide to spirituality for the third millennium. The book, written in response to John Paul II’s call to “broaden horizons,” explores key Catholic doctrines in a simple, clear manner grounded in the Bible. The introduction focuses on the Fatherhood of God, revealed in the Old Testament and further expounded in the Gospels. Recognizing the crisis in today’s faith formation due to modern secularism, the author advocates for a fresh approach to Catholic spirituality and a new evangelization based on Trinitarian spirituality. The book begins with a reflection on God’s fatherhood, culminating in the teachings of Jesus in Matthew and John’s Gospels. Chapter 1 shares the author’s personal experiences as a seminarian and pastor, emphasizing the need for a more profound experience of the Good News rather than mere ritualization and intellectualization. Subsequent chapters explore Jesus, the spiritual experiences of saints like St. Francis and Ignatius Loyola, the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Eucharist, the Bible, and Marian devotion. Throughout, the author emphasizes that God’s best ideas aim to bless, heal, strengthen, and provide abundant life. In essence, the book encourages disciples to be actively involved in the world, transforming it into a place where the upright feel at home.

Evangelisation: The Story of Jesus, His Apostles and Evangelists (2010)

Fr Joseph Parachalil

This book offers a fresh perspective on Jesus, tracing his ministry through the apostolic mission, Church fathers, and into the modern world via legendary saints and martyrs. Grounded in the Bible, it reveals historical insights often overlooked by the ordinary faithful. Emphasizing the Church’s essential missionary nature, the author calls for a revitalization of the Mission of Christ, echoing Jesus’ command to “preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” The book, spanning 23 chapters, explores the roots of the Church, the struggles of apostles globally, including India, and the challenges faced by later Churches. In our contemporary era, the author asserts the need to repeatedly share the story of Jesus and his disciples, translating the great message of salvation into daily life after encountering Christ. Dispelling misconceptions, individual chapters focus on prominent figures like Saints Peter, Andrew, James, Thomas, Matthias, Paul, Barnabas, John, Simon the Zealot, and even Judas Iscariot, followed by the evangelists. Noteworthy historical tidbits include St. Thomas as the acknowledged first apostle of India and the brief evangelization and martyrdom of Bartholomew (possibly Nathaniel) in North India around the same time. Ultimately, the book underscores that the mission of evangelization is achieved not through teachers and preachers alone but by the living examples of those committed to the cause, sharing their personal experiences.

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Even before the invention of thermometers, people knew when they or someone else had fever. Don’t you remember your mother putting her hand on your neck and saying, “You have fever”?

Similarly, what we today call “counselling” (or psychotherapy or whatever) did not start with the new academic pursuit called psychology. People faced emotional distress—depression, jealousy, anger, fear, worry, broken relationships, stress, confusion, despair, feelings of rejection or inferiority. It is normal to talk about such disturbing or stressful events or feelings with someone we trust. We have all done it. Most of us have listened to others who spoke to us about their distress. Many find relief when they pour out their disturbing or confusing feelings.

Today, we probably have a more systematic understanding of mental and emotional struggles, and of how help can be given. We have all heard this word, “counselling.” Let me make ten simple and basic statements about it—hoping this helps the reader to clarify issues and also to seek and give help when needed.

1. Everyone needs it: During my initial training in counselling, Carlos Welch, a wonderfully effective counsellor from the US who worked in India, told us one day that everybody needs counselling. I raised this objection: “Carlos, you told us the other day that, as adults, we need to stand on our own feet. Today, you are telling us that we need counselling.” He gave me a wise and practical answer: “Joe, standing on one’s own feet means that there are times when we realize and admit that we need help.”

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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In the Christian calendar, the season of Advent is a period of expectation and planning. It serves as a period of thought and anticipation before the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and signals the start of the liturgical year. Within the Church, there has been a growing understanding in recent years that the old ways of being and doing church need to change, to reflect the shifting social and cultural milieu. This essay analyzes the idea of Advent as a metaphor for the new way that the church will be and operate, stressing important ideas and practices that can direct this change.

1. Hope: A sense of expectation and hope marks the start of Advent. The Church also needs to foster a spirit of optimism for the future. In order to do this, the Church must reconsider its place in society, concentrate on the message of hope of the Gospel, and take an active role in addressing global issues.
2. Reconciliation and preparedness: Advent calls for reconciliation and preparedness. This entails accepting responsibility for past wrongdoing, working toward reconciliation, and laying the foundation for a more welcoming and caring community within the structure of the Church.
3. Community and Fellowship: The Church should place a high priority on community and fellowship, much as Advent promotes collective waiting and celebration. Within the Church, emphasizing connections and shared experiences helps increase the members’ feeling of purpose and sense of belonging.

Fr. John Singarayar SVD

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The Global Compact on Education (GCE), titled “Together to Look Beyond,” is not a plan for a new educational system. Instead, it is an invitation to dialogue and work together. It encourages us to come together to create a more fair and just world through education. In a meeting in May 2022, Pope Francis talked about how important education is for the strong foundation of society and for a better future. He said education can help create a fair and friendly world, letting people reach their full potential. With all the problems in the world, the Global Compact on Education comes at the right time, showing how important education is now. Pope Francis wants everyone to work together to build a better future through education.

Why the Global Compact?

Pope Francis presented the Global Compact on Education in September 2019 to address significant challenges in education worldwide. This initiative calls for people to work together to improve education. The goal is to create a fair and compassionate future while also taking care of the environment. Pope Francis believes that education is not just about learning facts but also about growing as a person. The GCE aims to ensure that everyone has access to education, treating each other with kindness and taking responsibility for the planet.

Fr Arnald Mahesh SDB

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