Report of the Carmelite Parish Priests’ Meeting
(Sadbhavana, Bangalore: 16-17)
The Parish Priests from our Province, participated in a meeting that was held at Sadbhavana, Carmelite Provincialate on September 16th and 17th 2014. The inauguration was held in the presence of Fr. Charles Serrao, Provincial Superior, Fr. Jerome Moras, Prov. Councilor in-charge of Apostolate and Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Prov. Councilor, by the lighting of a lamp.

Fr. Melwin D’Cunha led the gathering in prayer. Later Fr. Jerome Moras Councilor in-charge of Apostolate welcomed the gathering and introduced the resource person Rev. Fr. Jervis D’Souza, Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He enlightened all the participants regarding the duties of Administrators, celebration Sacraments, Marriage procedures, and adult Baptism. It was well appreciated by all the participants. The session lasted till evening 5 pm. Fr. Wilfred Frank proposed the vote of thanks to the resource person.

September 17, the second day was set aside for the purpose of studying the statutes drawn up for Carmelite parish priests. The day began with a prayer led by Fr. Sunil Arthur Monis. Rev. Fr. Charles, Provincial and Fr. Jerome Moras Councilor in-charge of Apostolate were present. Due to unavoidable circumstance Fr. Prasanna Kumar was absent. Fr. Nelson Pinto was elected to moderate the session and Fr. Deepak KJ Thomas was elected as the secretary.

Fr. Nelson suggested that since there are six sections, discussions would be taken up on related issues after reading all the numbers of each section. Fr. Charles Serrao asked the opinion of the members present with regard to the re-arranging of the headings as a) Appointments; b) Administration; c) Spirituality; d) Vocation Promotion; e) Finance; and f) Construction.

He also presented the worldview of Carmelites taking over Parish ministry and quoting Rev. Fr. Camilo Maccise then General of happy memory said “each province has to take up the parish ministry in proportion to the houses.” He also stressed and emphasized the aspect of involvement of the entire Carmelite community in parish ministry rather than the individual religious who is the parish priest, working alone. He pointed out that the parish priest has to take into confidence the community in the parish administration and in the functioning of the Carmelite parishes.

After reading and discussions on the statues all were given time to share their experiences in their respective parishes.

The meeting came to an end with a word of thanks by Fr. Jerome Moras.

Fr. Deepak KJ Thomas OCD
Secretary