by Father Cleophas Braganza for BISMumbai

On 18 June 2021, Bishop Barthol Barretto, zonal bishop for the North Mumbai Deanery-Archdiocese of Bombay, administered the oath of office to MumbaiSalesians' Father Allwyn Misquitta and officially inducted him as 'parish priest' of St. Dominic Savio Parish, Wadala (E).

Bishop Barretto expressed gratitude to former 'parish priest' Father Savio D'Souza for the good work during the last 06 years. He reminded the team of priests that "parish ministry primarily involves reaching out to the people entrusted to their care, especially the poor and marginalized." He warned of a perennial ecclesiastical hazard that "new office bearers disregard the work that has been done by the previous teams." He reiterated that the parish priest ought to first observe the methods, processes and existent traditions, ensuring that priests and lay faithful work as a team.

Urging the priests to follow the COVID-19 pandemic pastoral norms, as circulated by the Archbishop's office, Bishop Barretto said regular parish ministry - parish programmes, family visits - could resume after the lockdown regulations are eased.

Prayers were offered for the parish team, office-bearers, groups and movements-leaders, and all the families of the parish, for growth in faith, love and unity, as witnesses of Christ.