Patiala Deanery Diocesan Pastoral Plan Implementation Strategy Meeting

Patiala Deanery Diocesan Pastoral Plan Implementation Strategy Meeting

The Patiala Deanery Diocesan Pastoral Plan Implementation Strategy Meeting was held on Thursday, 23 July 2026, at Our Lady of Fatimab Church, Patiala.

The programme brought together 107 participants, comprising priests, religious, and lay faithful representing 18 parishes of the deanery. The meeting commenced with a solemn prayer service led by Fr. Flemin and team followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Fr. John Thatheus, Dean of Patiala Deanery, warmly welcomed Most Rev. Dr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh; Fr. Maria Selvadas, Vicar General; Fr. Vianney, Coordinator of Commissions; Mr. Happy Shergill, Technical Assistant; along with the parish priests, religious, lay leaders, parish representatives, and active youth representatives. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the wholehearted participation of all in this significant pastoral initiative.

In his keynote address, Bishop Sahaya Thatheus Thomas underscored the vital role of the laity in the mission of the Church, carried out in close collaboration with priests and religious. Calling the faithful to become a truly synodal and missionary Church, he emphasized that the success of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan depends upon communion, participation, and shared responsibility. He further expressed his confidence that Patiala Deanery, enriched by the dedicated ministry of its priests, religious, and committed laity, possesses immense potential to become a vibrant model of pastoral collaboration and evangelization.

Fr. Maria Selvadas, Vicar General, spoke passionately on the Church's missionary mandate, reminding the gathering that every baptized Christian is called and commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. Drawing inspiration from St. Devasahayam, the patron saint of the laity in India, he encouraged the participants to become courageous witnesses of Christ through their faith, service, and commitment to evangelization.

The implementation process of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan was presented by Fr. Vianney and Mr. Happy Shergill, who explained the methodology for implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. They outlined the practical roadmap for achieving the diocesan vision and emphasized the importance of participation, dialogue, collaboration, accountability, and continuous accompaniment.

The participants were encouraged to journey together as the pilgrim People of God, embracing the spirit of synodality in every aspect of the Church's mission. As part of the implementation strategy, the participants were divided into four deanery implementation groups, which will work in close coordination with the Diocesan Pastoral Implementation Team to facilitate the effective implementation of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan at the parish and deanery levels.

At the conclusion, Mrs. Dimple proposed the vote of thanks, expressing sincere appreciation to the Bishop, priests, religious, resource persons, organizers, and all the participants for their wholehearted cooperation and contribution to the success of the programme.

The programme concluded with a group photograph with the Bishop, followed by a fellowship meal.

The participants departed with renewed enthusiasm and a shared commitment to walk together in the spirit of synodality, working collaboratively towards the successful realization of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2033 and the mission of building a vibrant, participatory, and missionary Church.