The great historical event of Diocesan Synod Calcutta the first of its kind to happen in the annals of Archdiocese commenced with the inaugural Eucharistic celebration on 27^th September at 07.00 a.m. The Mass was celebrated in four languages: English, Bengali, Hindi and Santali representing the diversity of Archdiocese.  With the Easter candle lit on the altar representing risen Christ, the delegates  brought in procession , ‘The decree of the Synod convocation’ and the 12  meticulously drafted  documents on the concerns after long and deep study by the commissions of the Archdiocese, and the book of the Gospels.

The Archbishop  Thomas D’Souza the visionary and the prime architect of the synod in his homily stated that  the  objective is to respond to the exigent needs of the poor in our state and not to ‘look away’ and be indifferent  but to respond in love.  After the profession of faith the synod members took the solemn oath of fidelity to the church and after communion the members invoked  the synodal prayer with great fervour.

First session commenced with welcome words rendered by the Prolocutor Fr. Gregory Montero. On the onset  Archbishop  Thomas D’souza and Vicar General Fr. Dominic Gomes Came in procession with the heads of the   ten commissions while the synod members intoned with great gusto the Synod Anthem in English led by Sr. Anita Braganza and Ms Bemvinda.  Archbishop Thomas D’Souza , Fr. Dominic  Gomes and the secretaries of the synod Ms. Bemvinda Pereira and Ms. Anancia Fernandes  were invited to the Dais. Archbishop delivered his presidential address with the opening words quoting Pope John XXIII  that it is time to open the windows and doors to let the Holy spirit to enter to have the same Pentecostal experience felt at Vatican II.  He said that this is also in consonance with promulgation of CCBI in 2013 to have diocesan pastoral plans for the church to be a believing, praying, serving and proclaiming community. The preparatory works of the synod was efficiently carried out by evolving the parish pastoral plans by 2013 and preparing the  booklets on the 12 concerns of the diocese by the 12 commissions.  Now it is the task of the synod to prepare and validate the pastoral plan for the diocese.

After this The prolocutor invited the heads of the commission Christian life Fr. Dominic Gomes, Ecumenism and Inter religious Dialogue  Fr. Timir Singha Sj,  Education Fr. Joy Cyprian, and evangelisation  Fr. Anthony Rodricks to introduce their relevant concerns.  After Ms . Janice announced the moderators, reporters and members names of the ten groups of which 8 would discuss in English and two in Bengali went to the allotted spaces for deep discussion on the questions prepared on the concern.  The General assembly at 3 p.m. was chaired by his Grace Archbishop Thomas D’souza. The two moderators of the concerns Christian life and Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue presented the recordings of the proposals deliberated in the groups. After each groupsdepiction, Archbishop opened the house for clarifications and suggestions. At the 5-7p.m. session the findings and proposals on the concern Evangelizationwere presented by Fr. Franklin Menezes and Fr. Soosai Manikam and Concern Education was presented by Fr. Cyprian Joy D’souza.  The suggestions and clarifications which were many were discussed and accepted and recorded by the secretaries.  The Arch bishop thanked everyone and all proceeded to the Morning star chapel for the evening prayer.  The day came to its close on a happy note with the cultural programme of the formees from the neighbouring formation houses.

The second day 28^th September was ushered in with the Morning prayer and Eucharistic celebration at 7 a.m. in Bengali presided over by Fr. Sudhir Tudu, the dean of Midnapur deanery.  The session at 9.15  a.m. started with an action song ‘Walk walk in the light’ lead by the prolocutor Fr. Gregory .  The Arch Bishop led the community in prayer on the Gospel passage Mathew 7.7-11.  The Chroniclers Sr. Sabrina IBVM and Fr. Jyoti SJ decoded the recordings of the previous day both in English and Bengali.  As there was dearth of time the voting on the four concerns discussed on the previous day were postponed and Fr. Gregory invited the moderators to introduce the issues on Environment and social justice by Fr. Fraklin Menezes, Family by Fr. Soosai Manikam, Health care by Dr.Shipra Goswami, Laity by Mr. Alexander Anthony.  After the voting on the previous concerns the members proceeded to venues for group discussion. At 3 p.m. session Sr. Anita Braganza moderator for the concern Environment and Social justice and Fr. Soosai Manikam interpreted the proposals and action plans for the family and they were put to vote.  At 5 p.m. the moderators  Dr. Shipra Goswami and Mr. Alexander Anthony  for the two concerns   Heath care and Laity recounted  the proposals and  they were put to vote.  In the evening instead of the evening prayer rosary was animated by Sr. Meena Tirkey in the chapel.   After supper the Kolkata choir of Mr.Dilip Rozario Troupe entertained the members of the synod.

The 3^rd day was initiated with an hour of adoration from 6 a.m.- 7 a.m.    The main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist was Fr. Orson Wells the dean of Howrah Hooghly deanery.  The 9 a.m session began with the action song led by the group of young volunteers of the synod and prayer led by Archbishop  on the feast of the day the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  Sr. Sabrina IBVM and Fr. Jyoti updated the assembly on the previous days proceedings. After synod anthem  introductions on the days concerns SCC , Social communications, Women and youth were presented  by commission heads Fr. Dominic Gomes, Mr Farrell Shah, Ms Sandhya and Fr. Michael Biswas and the groups proceeded to discuss.  At 3 p.m.  and 4.45 sessions  schemes for discussed concerns youth, women, Small Christian communities  and social  communication were acquainted by  Mr. Paul Jacob, Ms.Sandhya Vincent, Mr. Dominic Azarvado and Mr. Farrell Shaw respectively.   At 6.00 p.m. orchestra, the choir of Picnic Garden parish took synod members to musical domain and kept them glued to their  chair with their elevating and entrancing singing.  In the Solemn Scroll ceremony at 9 p.m,  the secretaries of the synod and secretaries of the recordings of the day handed over  to the Archbishop reports of the synod and the fruits of the deliberations  and Arch bishop presented the deliberations to each secretaries of the 12 commissions recommending them to implement them diligently and responsibly. The ceremony came to a close with the song of dedication, ‘Here I am Lord”.  The fourth day was remarkable with the interactive session, the 3^rddays updates, elaborate vote of thanks by Fr. Dominic Gomes and solemn Closing Eucharistic Celebration by Archbishop Thomas D’souza.  The maiden  Kolkata Archdiocese Synod was momentous with the  synergy emerged from the whole hearted and harmonious working of the Archbishop, the priests, religious , laity and vibrant young team of volunteers.

Reported by Sr. Stella P.