The priests of Varanasi Diocese gathered at Nav Sadhana for the Recollection Talk in view of preparing them for Chrism Mass and Meaningful Easter Celebration on April 6, 2017. The talk began at 9.30 a.m. in the main chapel and the preacher was Most Rev. Eugene Joseph, Bishop of Varanasi. He spoke on the theme PRIEST: SERVANT OF THE GOSPEL FOR SANCTIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. He stressed the need of sacrifice as Servant of God quoting Cardinal Paul Shan of Taiwan, “Sacrifice your pleasure and take pleasure in your sacrifice”. Quoting St.Paul he stated that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. Like St.Paul, preacher and evangelizer, the Servant of God is called to be fearless, humble, poor, daily toiling, and being all things to all persons. He further developed his theme stating that “be a giver blessed by God, the Gospel and the apostolic gift, sanctification of the Church, sharer in the priesthood of Christ, dispenser of the grace of the high priesthood, Eucharist as the centre of Christian life and priestly life, anchoring relationship with Christ, being close to people, living a modest life, being available, model of integrity, joy in ministry, quality of preaching, monitoring office or power, nurture popular piety of the faithful, being sensitive to ‘fringes and margins’, being genuine missionary disciple, promoting joy of love and caring the catholic families as Servant of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The talks were well appreciated and accepted. He did share the concern of the Church in India to deal with the sexual misconduct by Church Personnel and gave a booklet on NORMS TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT/OFFENCES AND SEXUAL ABUSE BY CHURCH PERSONNEL WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF VARANASI as well as DIRECTIVES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE LITURGY IN INDIA. The meeting got over on April 7, 2017 by Lunch.
