The third Eparchial Assembly of Kalyan was held in Animation and Renewal Centre, Panvel from 12th to 15th November 2023. The theme of the assembly was “Mission and Life of the Eparchy of Kalyan in Response to the needs of the Time.” The assembly was conducted in the light of the ‘Kalyan Eparchial Perspective Plan 2030’ and as preparation for the coming Major Archiepiscopal Assembly which will be held in 2024. Mar Thomas Elavanal, bishop of Kalyan, inaugurated the assembly, on 13th November 2023. There were 91 participants including priests, religious, lay men and lay women.
The preparation for IIIrd Eparchial Assembly started by the process of formulating the Kalyan Eparchial Perspective Planning (KEPP 2030) and the action plans for the coming 7 years. In that process we have revisited our vision mission statement and proposed the implementation plans for the coming seven years. It was finalized in the assembly.
After the context analysis and discussion in all relevant forums we have chosen 10 core themes in the perspective plan. The core themes are New Evangelization, Faith formation and ongoing faith formation, Pastoral ministry, Christian Family – The Domestic Church, Preservation of the Syro Malabar identity, Care for the migration affected families, Church personnel – Clergy, Religious and lay leaders, Christian fellowship – Socio political – Ecclesiastical Relationship and Harmony, Media ministry – Communication and Evangelization and Development and management of Eparchial resources.
We discussed all ten core themes of KEPP 2030 in the assembly but with a special emphasis on three of them, namely (i) Rededication for the Proclamation of the Gospel, (ii) Family-centered Faith Formation, and (iii) Renewed Approach to Pastoral Ministry. There was very detailed discussion on these topics and we arrived at various conclusions and decisions which will be implemented in the coming years.
Archbishop Felix Machado, bishop of Vasai diocese was the chief guest for the concluding meeting which was held on 15th November. In the concluding meeting Archbishop Felix inaugurated the year 2024, Kerygma – Year of Evangelization, which will be focus on Proclamation of the Gospel.
