Year of Children 2026: After consulting the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Council of Priests, we have decided to dedicate 2026 as the Year of Children. Special attention must be given to the well-being of children below eighteen years of age, with a view to ensuring their holistic development. Together with the academics, we need to prepare them for family life, discernment of vocation, matters related to human formation, growth in relationship, emotional and spiritual development. As we prepare the annual programme for the implementation of the diocesan pastoral plan, I request all Parish Priests to ask the members of the Pastoral Commissions to give special focus to children in the parish. All Pastoral Commissions are encouraged to fine-tune their goals and objectives and plan activities that will help children grow in wisdom, courage, and strength, fostering their holistic well-being.

St Devasahayam, Patron of the Laity in India: On 14 January, we celebrate the feast of St Devasahayam for the first time at St Francis Cathedral, Kottar. The Holy See has approved the request made by the Indian Church and, through a decree issued on 16 July 2025, confirmed. St Devasahayam, as the Patron Saint of the Laity in India. Devasahayam was born on 23 April 1712 and martyred on 14 January 1752. He was canonized as a saint of the Church by Pope Francis on 15 May 2022. St Devasahayam is a model of courage and commitment to justice. He is concerned about the problems, worries and cultures of the underprivileged. He is particularly significant in today’s context, in line with Pope Leo, who invites us to continue the synodal process of collaboration, dialogue, listening, and discernment. May St Devasahayam inspire everyone to respect people of different religions, to go beyond all divisions, and to show us how to journey together towards a better life.

Unity Octave, 18-25 January 2026: The whole Church is invited to intensely pray for Christian unity from 18 to 25 January. The theme of this year’s prayer for unity is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling (Eph 4: 4).” This theme reminds us that, as one body of Christ, unity is at the very heart of our Christian vocation. May our common prayer facilitate the unity of all Christians, believers in one Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Ecumenical Sunday: We celebrate the Ecumenical Sunday on 18 January, at the beginning of the prayer for Christian unity. I would like to remind everyone about the historical event whereby Pope Leo XIV and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, signed a joint declaration in Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) on 29 November 2025, reaffirming their commitment to Christian unity and urging global peace efforts, in the context of 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. On the occasion of the Ecumenical Sunday, I encourage you to organize common celebration together with the Christians of other Churches and denominations in your vicinity. This is an opportunity to meet the brethren of other Christian communities and to appreciate their love for the Word of God and their zeal for the Christian life.

Word of God Sunday: On 25 January, we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. It is a call for the faithful to celebrate, study, and share the Bible, highlighting its vital role in Christian identity. We can pay special attention to the Sacred Text by enthroning the Bible. Pope Francis wrote in Aperuit Illis, “Pastors can also find ways of giving a Bible, or one of its books, to the entire assembly as a way of showing the importance of learning how to read, appreciate and pray daily with Sacred Scripture.” The Lord gave us the Word of God to direct our gaze towards himself as he would lead us to the Father. We need to make greater and more consistent use of the Word of God in the formation of the conscience of our people, especially that of children. Let us help children recognise and cultivate a hunger for the Word of God (cf. Jer 15:16).

                                                                                        Wish you a Joyful New Year 2026.