Most Rev. Bishop George Palliparampil, SDB, Bishop of Miao Diocese along with Rev Fr Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial and the Parish Priests of the province.
The Province organized the Parish Priests’ Animation and Meeting on 17th October 2025 at Mario Hall, Provincial House, Panbazar, Guwahati. The event, held under the theme “Shepherds of Hope: Renewing Pastoral Zeal in the Spirit of Don Bosco,” brought together parish priests from across the province for a day of reflection, renewal, and pastoral planning.
The resource person for the animation was Most Rev. Bishop George Palliparampil, SDB, Bishop of Miao Diocese, who inspired the participants through his insights on pastoral leadership rooted in hope and service.
The programme began at 9:30 a.m. with the arrival of participants, followed by an opening prayer led by Fr. Albert D. Sangma, SDB, and a reading from Scripture by Fr. Bhaskar Raj Chinthamalla, SDB. The lamp-lighting ceremony set a reflective tone for the day. Fr. Sebastian Kurichel, SDB, Provincial, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of the meeting as a moment to rekindle pastoral enthusiasm and fraternity. He thanked the parish priests for attending the animation programme despite their busy schedules. He urged them to be enthusiastic in their ministry, to work with clarity in their parishes, and to prepare their parishioners to enter into the great Jubilee of 2033.
Fr. John Chellanthara, SDB, introduced the resource person, after which Bishop George Palliparampil, SDB, conducted the main animation session. His talk emphasized the call of every priest to be a “shepherd of hope” in today’s challenging pastoral context, drawing inspiration from the life and spirit of Don Bosco. The Bishop remarked that “we cannot separate our Salesian identity while working in the North East Region.” He further added that “the Salesians are the pride of North East India” and urged everyone to take their mission seriously.
Following a brief coffee break, the sessions continued until lunch. The afternoon featured a technical session on “Discussion, Action Plan and Way Forward,” facilitated by Fr. Amit Chama Lakra, SDB, Co-ordinator of Education to Faith Dimension. The session invited active participation and collaboration among the priests to plan concrete steps for pastoral renewal in their respective missions. Fr Ignatius Gari SDB and Fr Joy Kachappilly SDB took some moment to share on the Mission Poverty Eradication (MPE) as envisaged by the South Asia Region.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Albert Thyrniang, SDB, expressing gratitude to the Provincial, the resource person, and all the participants for their meaningful contributions. The day ended with tea and fellowship leaving the participants renewed in spirit and commitment to their pastoral mission.
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