India: Saint Paul’s Bible College marks convocation ceremony and Bible Creative Ministry Awards

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) at Saint Paul’s Bible College proudly hosted its convocation ceremony and CCBI Bible Creative Ministry Awards on April 12, 2024.

The event occurred at the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), Bengaluru, Karnataka, south India. It was a celebration of academic achievement and innovative contributions to biblical ministry.

This year, 63 students of CCBI Saint Paul’s Bible College (online) were honored for completing the Certificate Course on ‘Read Bible in 36 Days.’

The course, designed around the concept of ‘language learning through Bible reading,’ aimed to enhance biblical literacy and linguistic proficiency. Additionally, students from the postal course received their diplomas during the ceremony.

Bishop Antonysamy Peter Abir, Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Bible, commended the students, saying, “Your journey of learning is not complete; it takes a new turn. You become ministers of the word.”

Among the graduates, Ms. Annette Pinto, a septuagenarian student, expressed her joy, saying, “I have achieved a lifetime milestone by reading the entire Bible.”

Ms. Premila Fernandes shared, “This course has nourished my soul with the word of God.” Mr. Moses Thanraj highlighted how studying the Bible had enhanced his communication skills.

Furthermore, novices from Amala Bhavan, the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, and the Seva Missionary Sisters of Mary demonstrated remarkable improvements in language learning and communication skills throughout the course.

In line with the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation, the CCBI Commission for Bible recognized three individuals with the Creative Biblical Pastoral Ministry Awards.

The CCBI Commission for Bible honored Dr. D. Andrews, a teacher from the Diocese of Dharmapuri, for initiating a quiz program on the entire Bible in Tamil through WhatsApp, which he later compiled into a book.

Mr. Mathew Mohan Thomas from the Archdiocese of Bangalore received recognition for his engaging sessions on the ‘Know Your Faith Series’ for the lay faithful.

The third award was shared by Fr. Josekutty Thomas SDB and Mr. Thomson Philip, Eloit Innovations, from the Diocese of Itanagar, for their smartphone app, ‘The Holy Bible in Tongues.’

Mr. Darryl Peter Rebeiro said, “The study was a place of encountering Jesus, the Word Incarnate.”

The convocation and awarding ceremony, organized by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, Executive Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Bible, was attended by distinguished guests, including Rev. Dr. Antony John Baptist, Director of NBCLC, and the First Principal of CCBI Saint Paul’s Bible College.

About CCBI Saint Paul’s Bible College: CCBI Saint Paul’s Bible College Online, founded in February 2020, is dedicated to equipping individuals with a deeper understanding of the Bible and nurturing them to become effective ministers of the word.

Through innovative courses and initiatives, the college strives to promote biblical literacy and enrich the community with spiritual wisdom.