To all the Parish SCC Coordinators, Archdiocese of Bombay
My dear Collaborators,
It’s about a month since we began a new academic year. I am writing to thank you sincerely for all the wonderful work that you, the SCC Animators and Coordinators are doing namely, the various outreach activities, WhatsApp messages, telephone calls, financial assistance, and so on, to ensure that NO ONE IS IN WANT in your Communities.
I wish to inform you that the month of July brings us to a new event on the Universal Church calendar viz. World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated on Sunday, July 25 this year. The theme chosen by Pope Francis – ‘I am with you always’ – reflects that the whole Church is close to them, and cares about them, loves them and does not want to leave them alone. This month’s Reflection Paper (prepared by Ms Cynthia D’Souza of the Office for Lay Collaboration in Ministry) takes a good look at the current situation of grandparents and the elderly in families and SCCs, and recommends some responses. Please share the enclosed paper with all the families in advance, so that they can make suitable plans to celebrate the event. If you organise activities at the SCC level (clusters and/or Communities), please share the photographs on bombayscc@gmail.com, with a brief note; it will be put up on our website www.mumbaiscc.in
Last month, I wrote to you regarding the importance of having regular Steering Committee meetings. These meetings (attended by all the Community Coordinators) will give them an opportunity to share the latest updates on the situation of each SCC; this must then be followed up (as required) by the Parish SCC Coordinator and the Priest in-charge of the SCCs. May I request you to ensure that the Steering Committee meetings are held regularly in your parish community. One of the topics that could be discussed during these meetings is the Situation in each of the SCCs of your parish. I am proposing that each of the SCCs shares a brief report on the specific situation with the Parish SCC Coordinator and the Priest in-charge of the SCCs, at the Steering Committee meeting. You will agree that the best persons to respond to a local SCC situation are the Parish SCC Coordinator and the Priest in-charge of SCCs; the SCC Office will assist as and if required. Whether you have the Steering Committee meetings monthly or bi-monthly, please send the Minutes of these meetings (along with a copy of the SCC Situation Reports) to the Archdiocesan SCC Office on bombayscc@gmail.com. You can be sure that an Official reply will be sent to you.
I hope you are working to revive regular monthly Meetings with all the Coordinators and Animators, paying attention to those SCCs that have not had virtual meetings to date. Please enthuse the SCC Animators to keep in contact with their respective cluster families. This is an essential component of the SCCs.
I intend to have a virtual meeting with you, deanery-wise. Details will be communicated to you shortly.
The ongoing pandemic enthuses us to action, to ensure that NO ONE IS IN WANT, irrespective of caste or creed. My desire is to see that no one is deprived of food, medicines, education and other basic needs. I am happy that several parishes have responded to the Archdiocesan Health Outreach campaigns to vaccinate the poor and illiterate, the senior citizens, etc. and to guide them to meet their medical needs. Please pay careful attention to those living alone at home, our senior citizens, and most importantly, the sick and homebound. A telephone call and/or a visit (using masks and maintaining social distance) will surely help boost their sagging spirits.
Thank you once again for all that you are doing to keep the SCCs alive and vibrant. God bless you and the members of your families.
Yours in Christ,
✠ Barthol Barretto Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay & Bishop in-charge of SCCs, Archdiocese of Bombay
July 1, 2021
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