The Bihar Catholic Mahila Sangh (women’s association) held a pastoral planning workshop at the Navjyoti Niketan Center, Patna, the capital of Bihar state in north India, from October 26 to 27.
The purpose was to discuss ways to strengthen the process of empowerment of women who are at the periphery of society with education, skill development, social consciousness, and human rights issues.
As many as 103 Catholic women and nuns who are working for their empowerment participated. For the first time, all the dioceses—Archdiocese of Patna, Dioceses of Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Buxar, Muzaffarpur and Purnea in the region were represented.
Sessions were given by Sister Dorothy Fernandes, a member of the Sisters of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a social activist.
Fernandes serves as the chairperson of the Women's Commission for the Archdiocese of Patna, north India. She is also an advisory member of the social wing of the archdiocese—Forum for Social Initiatives.
In her address, she urged Catholic women to be eager for their development as social catalysts and witness the Gospel in their homes and communities.
Another resource person was Jesuit Father A. Sebastian, who spoke on the responsible parenting of teenage children and social media.
Women found the input practical and useful for them.
The session was inaugurated by Bishop Cajetan Francis Osta of Muzaffarpur, and the concluding Mass was offered by Bishop Peter Sebastian Goveas of Bettiah.
After the Mass, one committed and selfless woman from each diocese was honored very specially, along with a few pastoral nuns and women’s groups from Patna Archdiocese.
Participants enjoyed learning, dancing, singing, being together, and getting to know each other. They were happy and grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
Sister Jane Karakunnel, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and a missionary in the northern Indian state of Bihar, which is one of the least developed states, organized the event.
"It was an initiative to recognize women's contributions and reward them," she said.
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