by Fr Joyston Machado for BIS Mumbai

The Parish Priests Meeting, held on October 17, 2024, at Don Bosco Provincial House, began with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by the Provincial Fr Savio Silveria. In his homily, he called on the priests to deepen the spiritual life of their communities, emphasizing the need to strengthen relationships among parishioners, modeling after the first Christian community. "We are Salesian parishes which means we must always keep the youth and children at the heart of our mission."

Reflecting on Pope Francis' May letter, Fr Savio challenged the parish priests with a critical question: "Do we know the life of our people from within?" He stressed that only by knowing the struggles and joys of their flock can parish priests help build a synodal Church. 

At 9:00 am, after a Bhajan to the Holy Spirit, Fr Provincial welcomed the parish priests, thanking them for their dedication to "being the face of the Good Shepherd" to their people. Fr Provincial highlighted the importance of youth ministry in Salesian parishes, urging the priests to focus on creating a space where young people feel heard and supported.

The morning's first session, led by Fr Patrick D'Mello and Mr. Sanjiv Ferrera, focused on "Emotional Well-being in the Parish." Fr. Patrick addressed the growing emotional challenges within parish communities, especially among young people. Fr Sanjiv led an interactive discussion, asking the priests about sensing emotional distress in parishioners and support systems for the vulnerable. The session delved into issues such as loneliness among the elderly, marital conflicts, and the insecurities faced by young people.

After a short break, Fr Ryan Alex presented on "AI in the Pastoral Context." He explored ways artificial intelligence could enhance pastoral care, from managing parish databases to using AI-driven tools to connect with parishioners more effectively.

The afternoon session featured Fr Joshan Rodrigues, who spoke about "Effective Media for Parish Communications." He encouraged priests to adopt a "multi-channel approach," combining traditional methods with modern digital platforms. "Your homily, your presence in people's homes—these are still powerful. But today, social media is the new stained glass window," he said. He advocated for parishes to create media cells, emphasizing that a hybrid model combining offline and online interactions is the future.

Fr Joshan's session concluded with practical advice on forming media teams within parishes and creating engaging content. The meeting wrapped up with a reflective session among the priests, allowing them to share their experiences and insights. Fr Provincial's closing words echoed throughout the day: "A synodal and missionary Church needs parish priests who lead with heart, mind, and spirit." The event left the participants with a deeper sense of purpose, eager to strengthen their communities through emotional care, technological innovation, and meaningful communication.