Indian Cardinal Ferrão calls for joyful service in the Church
On September 9, 2024, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), addressed the staff of various CCBI Secretariats at Paalanaa Bhavana in Bangalore, underscoring the importance of joy and dedication in their service to the Church.
During his address, Cardinal Ferrão emphasized that a joyful heart is crucial for fulfilling their mission within the Church. He urged clergy, religious, and laity to draw strength from prayer and family life, reflecting the love of Christ in every aspect of their work.
Cardinal Ferrão also expressed profound gratitude for the commitment and dedication of the staff members at the CCBI Secretariats.
The event began with Cardinal Ferrão celebrating the Holy Mass with the staff. Following the Mass, he met with the attendees, where Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore delivered a benedictory message.
Archbishop Machado praised the CCBI's remarkable growth in recent years, particularly highlighting new initiatives such as the Catholic Connect app and Arclight Global.
The program was attended by over 52 staff members, including priests, religious, and lay faithful, representing various CCBI offices, including the General Secretariat, Pontifical Mission Organizations, Catholic Connect, and Arclight Global.
The Catholic Connect mobile app, launched in January 2024, provides users with a broad array of spiritual resources, relevant news, and practical services, including health insurance, education, job opportunities, and emergency assistance.
Additionally, the CCBI’s publishing arm, in collaboration with Asian Trade Cooperation, produces valuable educational books and school textbooks.
The event served as a significant occasion for fostering a renewed spirit of service and commitment among the CCBI staff, further advancing the Church’s mission across India.- with input from Stephen Alathara
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.