First Pastoral Council of the Exarchate of Khadki in India

After the Holy Qurbono, all gathered in the auditorium of the Cathedral for the Pastoral Council Meeting together with the Priests and the Religious.  The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Most Rev Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, Exarch of Khadki-Pune.

On the dais were Very Rev Monsignor Varghese Mattamana, Protosyncellus of the Exarchate, Rev Fr George Mathew OIC, Chancellor of the Exarchate, Bar Itho Kasiro Sri PV Thomas and Barz Itho Kasirtho Smt Sara Mani Kuriakose. After the opening prayer by His Excellency Most Rev Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, there was a reading from the Holy Bible (Mt 10:1-15). The Chancellor Rev Fr George Mathew OIC then welcomed the gathering.

ELECTION OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL SECRETARY

Very Rev. Msgr Varghese Mattamana introduced the agenda of the meeting. It was proposed that the secretary of the Pastoral Council shall be elected so that he may begin to record the minutes of the meeting. As per directive from the Exarch, the Council could propose the name and someone could support the proposal and on acceptance by the proposed, the person could take up the responsibility. Accordingly Shri Daniel Babu’s name was proposed and the house applauded the proposal as a sign of support. The Exarch asked the consent of the proposed. On acceptance of the proposal, the Exarch appointed Mr Daniel Babu as the Secretary of the Pastoral Council for the next three years.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

His Excellency Most Rev Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC then addressed the gathering. He highlighted the significance of the first official gathering of the Exarchate and welcomed everyone to the gathering. He stated that the Exarchate Pastoral Council is the coming together of all the Clergy, Religious and the Laity to serve the exarchate. The purpose of the Pastoral Council as per Canon 272-275of the CCEO was explained by His Excellency. He then presented a vision of the activities for the next five years.

The Protosyncellus, Very Rev Monsignor Varghese Mattamana, then presented a gist of sharing by the Exarchial Bishop. The Monsignor said that we have a dual responsibility, one of faith living as per the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and evangelization as per the vision of the Reunion Movement.

The house spent quarter of an hour in clarifying some of the points shared in the inaugural address. All then proceeded to the church for noon prayer and thereafter for lunch at the ground floor.

SESSION ON UPCOMING PLANS OF THE EXARCHIAL COMMISSIONS

The afternoon session started off with prayer and was followed by the self-introduction of the members.

Rev Fr Varghese Valikkodath the Coordinator and Secretary of the Exarchial Commissions for Evangelization, Vocation, Faith Formation, Apostolates of Bible, Youth, Family and Laity, then outlined how the various apostolates will be organized in the Exarchate. A write up on the model of functioning and requirements of each commission was handed out to all members and the same explained. Rev Father mentioned that his immediate responsibility was to animate the reorganization of the unit, zonal and exarchial level bodies of all these commissionsin accordance with the need of the Exarchate. He mentioned that he will be visiting all zones to ensure that the activities are launched and sought the help of all concerned.

The house was then open to discussion regarding Exarchial Commissions. His Excellency concluded the session and responded to interventions

Afterwards, the Protosyncellus Very Rev Monsignor Varghese Mattamana, with the approval of the Exarch, presented a general guideline of administration for the present.

OPEN DISCUSSION

The next session was the Zero Hour or Open Forum moderated by Very Rev Monsignor Fr. Varghese Mattamana. He invited the members to share their views and suggestions for the life in the Exarchate. Many of the members wholeheartedly contributed to this session

ACCOUNTS OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE EXARCHATE AND THE SUNTHRONISO

Rev.Fr. Mathew Varikkatt presented the accounts of the Exarchate till date including expenditure for installation functions and income from souvenir and Malayala Manorama supplement collection. At this juncture the Monsignor in a big way appreciated the finance committee which performed and contributed in a big way. The role of Rev Fr Mathai Iranathara OIC as General Convenor of the Finance Committee was also highly appreciated. Rev Fr Mathai Iranathara thanked all members of the Finance Committee and mentioned the names of Shri Babu George Kharghar, Shri Alex Valavil Dehu Road for their extraordinary commitment and the Kharghar Parish which collected Rs10 lakhs and BARC a small parish of 15 families which collected Rs2.25 lakhs.

The Protosyncellus also thanked the nine generous volunteers who contributed to purchase a vehicle for the use of the Exarch. These nine volunteers were given mementoes by the Exarch.

UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONSOLIDATION OF THE MEETING BY THE EXARCH

His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios said that the Padayatra to the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios will be taken up this year also as per arrangements coordinated in the previous years in ETRI.  Reservations shall be made with Netravathi Express from Mumbai starting on 12th June.  His Excellency will be part of Padayatra on all five days and said that the padayatris from the Exarchate can join on the 5th day at Trivandrum for one day walk. There are also Youth from the Exarchate who join the padayatra on the first day. His Excellency said that the organization of the Feast of Commemoration of Mar Ivanios in various zones needs to be stepped up.

The 85thReunion Day Celebrations and annual Sabha Sanghamam to be held at Thriumoolapuram in the Archdiocese of Thiruvalla from 19-21 September 2015. Participation from the Exarchate is to be ensured. Zonal Reunion Celebrations are also to be organized as usual.

Many are requesting a Holy Land Pilgrimage under the leadership of the Exarch. This will be organized in the month of November 2015. Those interested shall give their names to the Chancellor Rev Fr George Mathew OIC.

As we had a common gathering of the Exarchate at its inauguration, there is no plan for conducting any convention this year as a major function of the Exarchate. General convention of the Exarchate will be held next year. We will explore the possibility of a common convention of the MCYM with the Eparchy of St John Chrysostom.

EXARCHATE BULLETIN

His Excellency complimented the Editor of the Exarchial Bulletin, Rev Fr George Mathew OIC and others involved in the timely publishing of the first bulletin of the Exarchate during the installation/inauguration ceremony on 30th May 2015. He stated that the Bulletin is the organ where all the official communication in the Exarchate will appear. All the news from zones/parishes/institutions is to reach the Chancellor before the 20th of each month and the same will be printed and couriered to all units before end of month. Zonal and unit wise bulletins can be continued as per discretion of respective zones/units. However, all important news of the Exarchate has to be published in the Exarchate Bulletin. Vishal Malankara Voice (VMV) will continue and will cater to the needs of theological, spiritual, ecclesial and social thinking and sharing in the two Eparchies. Personnel and volunteers from the Exarchate to serve on the Editorial Board of the VMV are solicited.

PASTORAL COUNCIL

His Excellency also clarified that the Pastoral Council has included all the members of the Exarchate region elected and nominated in the erstwhile ETRI Pastoral Council. They are now confirmed as members of the Pastoral Council of the Exarchate. However the Council will be reconstituted by adding nominated members soon and the Council will have a term of three years from now.

GRATITUDE

His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios also took the opportunity to thank everyone of the Exarchate who worked diligently for the success of the inauguration the Exarchate and the installation of the Exarch, which was successfully conducted on 30May 2015 at Khadki Pune. Healso thanked Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Major Archbishop-Catholicos and the Holy Episcopal Synod of the SMCC for their constant solidarity with the Exarchate. He also placed on record the gratitude of the Exarchate and his personal gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio His Grace Salvatore Penachio and all the Bishops and other dignitaries who participated in the above mentioned functions. He appreciated the generous and dynamic leadership of the Laity of the Exarchate for their Spirit-filled commitment and hard work. They are the treasure of the Church and the Exarchate. In the Exarchate we have them as a special gift of Our Lord. He also thanked profusely the Rev. Priests and the Sisters for their commitment for the emergence of the Exarchate. He especially thanked everyone present for their participation in spite of their busy schedule. However, he pointed that absence in such gatherings without the most serious reason is a breach of trust the Church has placed on them.

CONCLUSION

The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Mr Daniel Babu, the Secretary of the Pastoral Council. His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios made the concluding prayers and gave the apostolic blessing to all present and for the entire Exarchate.