Karnal Deanery Holds Implementation Strategy Meeting on Diocesan Pastoral Plan

Implementation Strategy Meeting on the Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2026–2033 was held at St. Theresa's Sr. Sec. School, Karnal, bringing together around 102 participants, comprising priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful from across the deanery.

The meeting aimed to strengthen the implementation of the diocesan pastoral vision through collaboration, formation, and strategic planning at the deanery and parish levels.

The programme began with an invocation to the Holy Spirit, followed by the lighting of the lamp. Rev. Fr. Anil IMS warmly welcomed the gathering and invited everyone to participate wholeheartedly in the mission of implementing the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

The participants reflected on the Gospel passage Matthew 28:18–20, and Rev. Fr. Sudeep IMS, Dean of Karnal Deanery, led the prayer based on the Gospel. The assembly then prayed the Pastoral Commitment Prayer, reaffirming their commitment to the mission of the Church.

In his keynote address, Most Rev. Dr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh, called upon all the faithful to embrace the diocesan pastoral vision with missionary zeal and synodal collaboration. Stressing that the laity are at the heart of the Church's mission, he encouraged them to joyfully take up their responsibility as missionary disciples and become active agents of evangelization in their families, parishes, workplaces, and society. He urged every parish and institution to work together in building vibrant, participatory, and missionary communities, rooted in the Gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Fr. John Maria Vianney, Coordinator of Commissions, presented the theme "We, the Synodal Church," highlighting that communion, participation, and mission are the three pillars of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. He invited all participants to become co-responsible partners in implementing the pastoral vision through collaborative leadership and active participation.

Rev. Fr. Maria Selvadas, Vicar General, delivered an inspiring session on "The Church Exists to Evangelize." Emphasizing that evangelization is the fundamental mission of the Church and the guiding principle of every pastoral initiative, he challenged the participants to become courageous witnesses of Christ. Drawing inspiration from Sadhu Sundar Singh and St. Devasahayam Pillai, the Patron Saint of the Laity in India, he presented them as exemplary models of faith, courage, and missionary witness, encouraging everyone to imitate their zeal for proclaiming the Gospel amidst contemporary challenges.

A practical session on Implementation: Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation was conducted by Mr. Happy Shergill, who explained effective methods of planning, implementation, documentation, accountability, and periodic evaluation to ensure the successful realization of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

The participants were then divided into four thematic implementation groups by Bishop Sahaya Thatheus Thomas and Fr. Sudeep IMS, Dean of Karnal Deanery.

Representatives from priests, religious, and laity were entrusted with coordinating and animating the implementation of the Pastoral Plan in their respective pastoral areas.

The meeting concluded with the constitution of the Karnal Deanery Implementation Team, followed by group photographs. Rev. Fr. Sudeep IMS, Dean of Karnal Deanery, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Bishop, resource persons, organizers, participants, and the management of St. Theresa's Sr. Sec. School, Karnal (Sr.Tara BS & Team) for their wholehearted support and active participation.

The gathering ended with a renewed commitment to building a synodal, participatory, and missionary Church throughout the Karnal Deanery.