Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 3: St Sebastian Church, Bendur, organized an engaging and impactful Small Christian Community (SCC) convention on Wednesday, October 2 in collaboration with various parish commissions. The event drew around 350 parishioners.

Fr Sunil D'Souza, director of the SCC Commission, Diocese of Mangalore, inaugurated the convention with a compelling address. He highlighted the crucial role of the SCC in building a sense of togetherness through collective prayer, mutual support, and shared reflection on the Word of God.

Fr Walter D'Souza, parish priest of Bendur, shared his rich experience as the former diocesan SCC director. He emphasized how SCC meetings help cultivate the Kingdom of God by nurturing communities grounded in love and care. He urged participants to innovate and enliven SCC gatherings with initiatives such as:

• Visiting families to understand their needs
• Involving children and youth
• Celebrating members' birthdays and anniversaries
• Incorporating music, dance, and joy into gatherings

William Colaco, a member of the Diocesan SCC training team, provided valuable insights on effectively implementing the 7-step method, a key approach in SCC activities.

The event began with a warm welcome from Patsy Britto, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), setting a positive tone for the convention. Attendees were also taught lively action songs, which added energy and enthusiasm to the programme. Flavilla Pinto skilfully emceed the event, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Dolphy Lobo. The convention concluded with a fellowship dinner, allowing participants to bond and strengthen their community ties.

The successful event served as a platform for revitalizing the SCC and enhancing the spirit of unity and service among the parishioners of St Sebastian Church.