Eparchy Assembly on "Grace-Filling Families" Conducted

  • Posted on: 2 September 2019

The Eparchial Assembly on the theme “Grace-Filling Families” was conducted on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at St. Vincent De Paul Syro-Malankara Catholic Cathedral. The Assembly was held in anticipation of the Ecclesial level assembly which will be held on October 7-9 in Pattom, Trivandrum.

The Eparchial Assembly began at 9 am with the celebration of the Holy Qurbono with Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Archbishop of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla, and concelebrated by Most Rev. Dr. Phiipos Mar Stephanos, the Eparchial bishop, along with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Augustine Mangalath Corepiscopo, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Gigi Philip, Rev. Dr. Saji Mukkoott, Rev. Fr. Thomas (Noby) Ayyaneth, Rev. Fr. Mathew (Liju) THundiyil, Rev. Fr. Michael Edathil, and Rev. Fr. Jerry Mathew. The Holy Qurbono was followed by the inaugural session with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Augustine Mangalath Corepiscopo giving the welcome speech and Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod, inaugurating the assembly. The orientation talk on the theme and the reasons for the assembly was given by Bishop Philipos Mar Stephanos.

The inaugural session as succeeded with the sharing session, with Rev. Sr. Dr. Jocelyn SIC as the moderator. The session included presentations on the challenges faced by the families in the Eparchy by resource persons, namely Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery Corepiscopo (from the perspective of a pastor), Mr. George James (from the perspective of a senior family), Mrs. Deepa and Mr. Roy ((from the perspective of young married couple), and Mr. Christopher Thomas and Ms. Tessy Philip ((from the perspective of youth and children). Following the presentations on the challenges faced by the families, the participants were divided into groups to discuss possible solutions to the challenges presented and to create an action plan for each age group.

After lunch, the secretaries selected from each group presented the summarized reports, with the session being moderated by Rev. Fr. Mathai Mannorvadakkethil, the Director of the Family Apostolate of the Eparchy.
During the Concluding session, the Consolidated Summary of the solutions was presented by Rev. Fr. Michael Edathil and Rev. Fr. Jerry Mathew, followed by Concluding Message by Bishop Philipos Mar Stephanos. After the Vote of Thanks by Mr. Philipose Mathew, the Pastoral Council Secretary, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm after the Farewell blessing by the bishops present. Around 100 people participated in the Spirit-filled and productive Assembly.