Report For July - September 2019
The Western Regional Bible Commission, in collaboration with National Commission organized a two-day regional seminar at Sharaddha Seva Centre, PDSSS, Pune on 25th and 26th of July, 2019 on the theme, "Challenges for Pastoral Interpretation of the Bible in the Life of the Church Today". Seventy members from the region participated. On the first day the programme began at 9 AM. The Bible was enthroned and a prayer service was conducted invoking the presence and blessings of God. Most Rev. Thomas Dabre, Chairman of the Western Regional Bible Commission presided over the inaugural function and delivered the presidential address. Rev. Fr. Lui Heredia, Regional Director of the Bible Commission welcomed the participants and the resource persons and explained the dynamics of the seminar. After the coffee break the input sessions began on various topics: Scriptural Basis in Canon Law and Regulations of the Church and its challenges (Rev. Fr. Roque Green - Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Pune), Word of God in Family Apostolate and Lay Apostolate (Fr. Roque Alphonso, Director of Family Apostolate, Diocese of Pune), Basis for Ecological Concerns in the Scriptures and its Challenges (Rev. Fr. Selva Ratinam SJ, President of Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune), Basis of Social Work and Labour Welfare in Scriptures and its Challenges (Rev. Fr. V. Louis, Director of Social Work and Labour Welfare), Enhancing Biblical Apostolate through SCCs and its Challenges (Mr. Sachin Fernandes, SCC Animator, Diocese of Pune), Biblical Apostolate at the National Level (Rev. Fr. A. John Baptist, Executive Secretary), Biblical Apostolate through Lay Missionaries (Rebecca Pinto), Scriptural Challenges in Ecumenical Apostolate (Rev. Fr. Lui Heredia), Word of God in the Prison Ministry (Rev. Fr. Wilfred Fernandes, Director of Prison Ministry, Diocese of Pune). Apart from the input sessions there was a panel discussion on the topic "Biblical Apostolate among Various Movements in the Church such as Neo Catechumenate, Renewal Movements, Krist Kiran Parivar, Sunday School, Youth and Women".

On the first day time was allotted for the Diocesan Bible Commissions to report their activities and a meeting of the diocesan directors with the chairman to express their concerns. On the second day the participants had a group discussion and reported their findings. Before lunch there was a session on the Outcome of the Seminar and Planning. After the vote of thanks and lunch the participants departed to their respective places with renewed energy to do Biblical Pastoral Ministry in their places of ministry. Fr. Lui Heredia, Regional Director of Bible Commission of Western Region, organized the whole seminar. This seminar was a good chance to come together to share about the ministry and also to be enriched by various presentations.