Mr. Siby Mathew at the retreat of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Satgaon.
September 30, 2025 with a solemn inaugural ceremony. The opening rites included the Enthronement of the Bible, the lighting of candles, and the felicitation of the resource persons.
In his welcome address, the parish priest, Fr. Albert Thyrniang, introduced the team of preachers: Mr. Siby Mathew from Kerala, Mr. Prem Kumar from Bangalore, Mr. Linus Maslai from Umswai, and a family team from Tripura comprising Mr. Stephan Debbarma, Mrs. Seminiwont Debbarma, and Mr. Leishichan Debbarma.
Fr. Thyrniang highlighted the unique blessing of Satgaon, where a significant Catholic population resides within a compact area of 4–5 sq. km radius. This, he noted, is of immense benefit for both the Church workers and the faithful. He also reflected on the theme of the retreat, “The Cross Before Us”, explaining that in this Jubilee Year of 2025 when the Cross is being carried from village to village and family to family the retreat serves as a reminder that followers of Christ are called to place the Cross at the center of their lives, to carry it with faith, and to anchor their hope in it throughout their life’s journey.
The first day’s programme included preaching, Holy Mass, and adoration. The sessions deeply moved the participants, who experienced God’s blessing and the healing touch of Christ the Healer. Anchored by the St. Joseph Sodality and ADMA, the retreat drew about 500 devotees on its opening day. Attendance and spiritual fervour are expected to grow in the coming two days.
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