Priests, Religious Sisters and laity from the diocese of Varanasi gathered to review and to reflect on the SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES in Nav Sadhana Regional Pastoral Centre, Varanasi from May 07 to 10, 2017. Resource persons were: Fr. Peter Immanuel, Mr. Immanuel Johnson and Most Rev. Eugene Joseph. The seminar began with Bible veneration followed by the welcome accorded by the Bishop.
At the beginning of the session the resource person asked the participants to share their experiences of SCC in the present situation in their respective parishes. After having heard from the participants, Fr. Peter Immanuel gave some pointers on how to create interest and respect for the Word of God in people. The day one was spent on understanding the need and the meaning of the small Christian Community. The sessions were dialogical and in groups. The first day ended with a solemn mass by Most Rev. Eugene Joseph, the Bishop of Varanasi.
The second day began with Bible veneration and with the first three steps of the seven-seven steps suggested by SCC. The resource person explained about the gospel sharing and its seven steps. The seminar ended with the Eucharistic celebration.
On the evening of the second day only few chosen members of the core committee gathered together to discuss on the action plan for the diocese. At the end of the session, specific action plan was drawn and all the members went home with the firm resolve to build the participatory Church. Some of the members of this meeting shared: “This is the first time we experienced a gathering at the Diocesan level as a community. We did not just talk about community but we lived as a community. It also helped our growth in community spirituality.”
