Mission Sunday: This year, Mission Sunday is celebrated on October 19. The theme chosen for this year is: “Missionaries of Hope Among all Peoples”. Jesus “became the divine Missionary of hope, the supreme model of all those down the centuries who carry out their own God-given mission, even amid extreme trials”. In the most technologically advanced nations, “proximity” is disappearing: “we are all interconnected, but not related”. The Gospel, experienced in the life of a community, can restore us to a whole, healthy, redeemed humanity. The Pope invites us to pay special attention to the poorest and weakest, the sick, the elderly and those excluded from materialistic and consumerist society. Let this day not pass without a special moment with the most vulnerable, to whom we may become the harbingers of Good News. Let us not forget that prayer is the primary missionary activity and at the same time “the first strength of hope” (Pope Francis, Catechesis, May 20, 2020).

Diaconal Ordination: Five Candidates will be ordained as Deacons for the Diocese of Mangalore on October 14, 2025, at 3.30 p.m. in the Chapel of St Joseph Interdiocesan Seminary. Bro. Jeevan D’Souza (Bela), Bro. Loyd Rohan D’Souza (Madanthyar), Bro. Joel Monteiro (Cordel), Bro. Denzil Rodrigues (Nainad), and Bro. Avil Santhumayor (Shirtady) are the new ordinandis. I warmly invite you to participate in the Ordination ceremony and pray for the new Deacons, that they may be zealous men who proclaim the Gospel and bring people to Jesus. This month, there are ordinations of the Carmelites and Jesuits. Let us pray for them too.

Patron of the Laity in India, St Lazarus Devasahayam: The Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has conceded to the request of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) to declare St Lazarus Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity in India through a decree dated July 16, 2025 and the same will be solemnly announced on October 15, 2025 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Varanasi, when the CCBI Commission for Laity will be holding its annual national meeting of the Diocesan Secretaries and Regional Secretaries. May our devotion to St Lazarus Devasahayam help the laity to an ever greater love of God, practice of faith and service in the Church and in society.

New Bishop for Mysore Diocese: Most Rev. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga, is appointed as the Bishop of Mysore, and the Installation ceremony will be held on 7.10.2025. Let us pray for Bishop Francis and for the Lay Faithful, Clergy, Religious of the Diocese of Mysore; also remember in your prayers the Diocese of Shimoga that the Lord may give it a Shepherd according to his heart. Wish you a Happy Feast of the Holy Rosary. May Mother Mary intercede for us.