Their way of loving Infant Mary through the prayerful offering of flowers rouses in us emotions of love. The day dedicated to family unity is a special day for upholding the dignity of the girl child. The new corn, the new child and the experience of renewed unity of the family, all become the cause of our joy. May Mother Mary intercede for her beloved children.

11th World Day for Prayer for the Care of Creation: For the Day of Creation, 1 September, Pope Leo XIV, by giving message has affirmed that “we are once again invited to contemplate the gift of life and to cherish the earth that sustains it, for they are tangible ways of offering praise to our Creator.” The Pope wrote: “We are called to allow our hearts to be renewed, so that we might seek peace and care for creation… If we take up this task with humility and faith, we will become collaborators in God’s work of renewal. We will move, slowly but surely, from desert to garden, from division to communion and from violence to peace.” Though, the Day of Creation is 1 September, since in many dioceses, the Novena of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and related celebrations are held in the first week of September, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has, decided to celebrate the Mass for the Care of Creation on the third Sunday of September, which comes on 20.09.2026 this year. This has been already informed to all the Priests of the Diocese of Mangalore during the on-going formation. Kindly choose the liturgy accordingly.

Information from Karnataka Christian Community Development Corporation Ltd (KCCDCL): The information is already disseminated that the KCCDCL is implementing the “Arivu” Interest-free Education Loan scheme to support the deserving students from Christian community in pursuing higher education. The loan is granted for UG, PG, ITI, Diploma, Doctoral and professional courses across all major disciplines. The Chairman has requested me through a letter dated 4.08.2026, to make this known to our community, so that eligible students can avail an interest-free loan of up to Rupees 5,00,000 per academic year, subject to a maximum limit of Rupees 20,00,000 for the entire course, with only a 2% service charge. Please make this offer known to all families. As a preliminary step, students are requested to register on the Kutumba portal for Family mapping: https://kutumba.karnataka.gov.in

Secondly, regarding financial support for the infrastructure, from this year onwards, the scheme has also been extended to eligible Christian Chapels, Shrines and similar places of worship. Priests, Religious Sisters and Pastors may also submit applications on behalf of eligible institutions and organisations. The applications should be submitted online.

The Corporation gives financial grant under the following schemes:

1. a) Grant Scheme for Church Repair, Renovation & Compound Wall
2. b) Grant Scheme for Christian Cemetery Infrastructure & Compound Wall
3. c) Grant Scheme for Christian Community Hall Construction
4. d) Grant Scheme for Christian Orphanages & Old Age Homes
5. e) Grant Scheme for Christian Shelters for Persons with Disabilities & HIV/AIDS.

The other programmes for assistance are: Women Self-Help Groups, self-employment schemes such as fast-food truck and mobile kitchen etc. For applications and further details, kindly visit the official KCCDCL portal: www.kccdclonline.karnataka.gov.in and also consult the Director of CODP.

Collaboration between Commissions and Associations: With the publication of the New Pastoral Plan (3rd edition), Synodal Journey, we have integrated the insights given in the Final Document of the Synod of Bishops, the Pastoral Plan of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and also that of Karnataka. Pope Francis, while publishing the Final Document, had asked the Bishops to come to the Ad limina visit with the report of the implementation of the Final Document. The Year 2026 is the year of Implementation which is extended by the CCBI up to March 2027. Thereafter, the process of evaluation will be undertaken at various levels. In this context, I direct the Apostolic Associations also to collaborate with the various Parish/Deanery/Diocesan Pastoral Commissions, so that the local Church becomes more and more synodal, that is, journeying together.

Though already several Associations have been collaborating with the Commissions, to involve a greater number of these Associations, the following are invited to collaborate with the various Commissions:

1. a) Youth Commission: (ICYM, YCS, Jesus Youth, Christian Life Community, Youth from Missionary Families of Christ, Parish Youth Associations).
2. b) Laity Commission: (Catholic Sabha, ICYM, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Legion of Mary)
3. c) Commission for Social Development: (Society of Vincent de Paul, The Catholic Association of South Kanara, Catholic Sabha, Sodality of the Immaculate Conception etc.)
4. d) Commission for Women: (Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Parish Women Associations, Ladies Social Service League, Christian Mothers’ Sodality)
5. e) Commission for Justice and Peace: (Prison Ministry of India, Catholic Sabha)

These and other Associations can also collaborate with different Commissions by being part of the committees of Commissions and thus join in the planning and executing the programmes. I wish that this collaboration becomes an effective pathway to discern the will of God for us, and to put it into practice by making adequate decisions in a synodal way.

From Words to Meaning: Catechesis on the New Missal: Now that the new Konkani Misa Gronth is in use, the faithful need help to understand the changes in its text. I am happy that some priests have already prepared their people for its use. At Mass, it is not enough to repeat words; we need to understand and pray their meaning. Words without meaning can become empty sounds, while words understood in faith can deepen our prayer and shape our lives. During the ongoing formation sessions on Liturgy, priests were encouraged to provide such liturgical catechesis, helping the faithful appreciate the meaning and theology of the Mass and apply them to daily life. This issue of Inter Nos offers an example of such catechesis on the new texts of the Mass.

I wish you a Blessed Monthi Fest and invoke God’s blessings on all.