By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Nagpur: The Archdiocese of Nagpur is all set to celebrate the Bible Mahotsav (grand festival) to create a culture of appreciation for the Word of God among its faithful.
The three-day festival starting September 30 at St Francis De Sales School Campus in the central Indian city will also celebrate faith in the family and in the Small Christian Community, Father K D Thomas, the organizer, told Matters India on September 28. The priest is also the director of Christian Life Commission of the archdiocese.
Father Sebastiraj, who coordinates the family apostolate in the archdiocese, described the program as a celebration of the Word, “not a retreat.”
The festival ends on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, will include Bible classes, dramas, skits and other various activities, Fr Sebastiraj added.
More than 1,000 people from the 37 parishes and mission stations of the archdiocese are expected to participate in the event.
Bishop Raphy Manjaly of Allahabad will speak on “The Role of Christian Community in evangelizing the neighborhood” while Pallottine Bishop Thomas Thennat of Gwalior will speak on “Be Evangelized Yourself and then be an Evangelizer.”
Pallottine Father Vincent Thottupatt will address the topic, “Being a Word-Centered Family” and the “Importance of proclaiming the word today, especially the Laity.”
Father Francis Scaria will explain the importance of living Faith at home and the parents as primary family Catechists.
The 125-year-old archdiocese has 28,500 Catholics who are shepherded by 14 Religious congregations of men and 37 religious congregations of women through educational and health institutions.