Bishop Sahaya Thatheus Thomas Makes Surprise Pastoral Visit to Jagadhri Parish

St. Joseph's Church, Jagadhri, Haryana – In a gesture that brought great joy and encouragement to the faithful, Most Rev. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh, made an unscheduled and surprise pastoral visit to Jagadhri Parish. The unexpected visit was warmly welcomed by the parish community, who were delighted to have their Bishop in their midst.

The Bishop celebrated the Holy Eucharist with the parish community, inviting the faithful to be builders of community through forgiveness and bridge builders.

Following the Mass, Bishop Sahaya devoted considerable time to meeting various groups within the parish individually. He first met with the Parish Pastoral Council members and the parish Finance Committee, listening attentively to their experiences, concerns, and aspirations for the growth of the parish. He thanked them for their generous service and encouraged them to continue exercising leadership in a spirit of communion and mission.

The Bishop then met with the members of the Mahila Sangh (Women’s Association) and BEC animators, appreciating their invaluable contribution to the life of the Church through prayer, service, and family apostolate. He encouraged them to remain strong witnesses of Christian values within their families and society.

In a special interaction with the new catechumens, Bishop Sahaya Thatheus expressed his joy at their desire to embrace the Christian faith. He assured them of the prayers and support of the diocesan community as they continue their journey of faith and preparation for full initiation into the Church.

The Bishop also met with the catechism children, krusveer, spending time listening to them and encouraging them to grow in their love for Jesus through prayer, and regular participation in catechism classes. His warm and fatherly interaction brought great happiness to the children.

A separate meeting was held with the youth of the parish, during which the Bishop invited them to become courageous disciples of Christ and active contributors to the life and mission of the Church. He encouraged them to use their talents and energy for the service of God and society and to become agents of hope and transformation in today’s world.

Throughout these meetings, the Bishop placed particular emphasis on the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, encouraging every parish group to actively collaborate in implementing its vision and priorities at the local level. He stressed that the pastoral renewal of the Diocese can only be achieved through the participation and commitment of all the faithful—clergy, religious, and laity alike.

The visit was marked by a spirit of openness and dialogue. Parishioners deeply appreciated the Bishop’s willingness to listen to their concerns, aspirations, and suggestions. Many expressed gratitude for his fatherly presence and for taking the time to engage personally with different groups within the parish.

The faithful of Jagadhri Parish described the visit as a blessing and a source of renewed enthusiasm for parish life and mission. The surprise visit not only strengthened the bond between the Bishop and the parish community but also inspired the faithful to work together more closely in building a vibrant and missionary Church.

As the visit concluded, the parish community thanked Bishop for his pastoral care, encouragement, and attentive listening. The faithful assured him of their prayers and their commitment to support the mission and pastoral vision of the Diocese of Shimla-Chandigarh.

The unexpected visit will undoubtedly remain a memorable occasion in the life of Jagadhri Parish, strengthening the faith of the community and renewing its commitment to the mission of Christ and His Church.

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