A Pastoral Program to Strengthen Church Life in India

The Diocese of Shimoga in southwest India is highly active, despite having just 18,000 Catholics in a total population of over 5.6 million. It has set up various committees to deal with a range of particularly important issues, including the ongoing formation of priests, religious, and laity, so they are equipped to help the people and promote the Gospel. “The Church in Shimoga needs leaders who can help advance the mission of our Redeemer Jesus Christ and extend our networks,” says Father Duming Dias, who runs the diocesan pastoral center.

For example, the Family Committee needs to strengthen its marriage preparation program and its work in counseling married couples and families. The Liturgy Committee needs to intensify its training of lectors, cantors, and altar servers, so the liturgy can be celebrated as worthily as possible. The Catechetical Committee wants to provide more summer camps for children, as well as Bible study sessions for adults and young people. And the Vocations Committee wants to inspire the apostolate with a range of special activities and school visits. And generally, the Church is striving to combat child labor and promote the rights of ethnic minorities and the advancement of women, who continue to be deeply disadvantaged in India.

The program they have established includes training sessions, courses, workshops, meetings, retreats, days of recollection, and more. It is aimed at laity, priests, and religious over a three-year period. It has already begun successfully, and this is now the second year we are supporting it, since it needs proper funding. Father Dias has written to thank us and adds, “Please help us to build the Kingdom of God here!” So we are once again supporting this excellent program with a contribution of $10,941. Will you answer Father Dias’s call for help?

Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.

Code: 317-08-49