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 The
Jubilee Year - 2025, also called the Ordinary Jubilee, will
begin on December 24, 2024, with Pope opening the Door at St.
Peter's Basilica. On December 29, 2024, the Holy Door at St.
John Lateran, the Pope's Cathedral, will be opened. This event
will be mirrored worldwide, with Bishops leading similar
celebrations in Cathedrals across the globe to mark the official
opening of the Jubilee Year. Hence, the same event will take
place in our Diocese on 29.12.2024, at St Joseph's Cathedral at
8.30 a.m. Bishop, holding the Jubilee Cross and leading the
gathering with a solemn procession to the doors of the Cathedral
and entering the doors which symbolize Christ as the "Door of
Salvation." I request all the Clergy from across the diocese to
offer mass in their respective parishes and take part in this
significant liturgical and symbolic event.
 
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 The
Inauguration of Jubilee 2025
 The
Diocese of Chikmagalur joyously marked
the inauguration of Jubilee 2025 with a
solemn and faith-filled ceremony held at
St. Joseph's Cathedral, on Sunday,
29-12-2024. The grand occasion began
with a procession bringing the Jubilee
Cross from St. Joseph's Convent to the
Cathedral. Faithful from all walks of
life, including clergy, religious, and
laity, participated in the procession,
carrying the Cross with devotion and
reverence, symbolizing unity and renewal
in Christ. Upon the arrival of the
procession at the Cathedral, Most Rev.
Dr. T. Anthony Swamy, Bishop of
Chikmagalur, inaugurated the Jubilee by
ceremoniously opening the door of the
Cathedral. This symbolic act was met
with great jubilation and marked the
beginning of the Jubilee Year, a time of
grace, reflection, and spiritual renewal
for the diocese. Following this, the
banner of the Jubilee which contained
the logo of Jubilee 2025 was unveiled,
adding to the joy and significance of
the event. The unveiling of the banner
symbolized the official commencement of
the Jubilee celebrations, inspiring the
faithful to actively participate in the
journey of faith.
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Marriage
Preparation Course at CMSSS, Hassan Organized by
the Diocese of Chikmagalur
 The
Family Commission of the Diocese of Chikmagalur
conducted a successful Marriage Preparation
Course on 14th and 15th January 2025 at the
CMSSS premises in Hassan. The event was
organized under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Alwin
D'Souza, Director of the Family Commission, with
the support of Rev. Fr. Sanjay Juvanes, Joint
Secretary. The course saw enthusiastic
participation from individuals across the
Diocese of Chikmagalur, neighboring dioceses in
Karnataka, and even from outside the state. A
total of 10 resource persons, including
experienced clergy and experts, imparted
valuable insights on various aspects of
Christian married life. The participants
expressed deep appreciation for the engaging and
enlightening sessions. The course emphasized the
Church's teachings on the sanctity of marriage,
family as a domestic church, and practical
skills for harmonious family life.
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Annual
Feast of St John the Baptist Church, Lakkavalli
 The
Parish feast of St. John the Baptist Church,
Lakkavalli, was celebrated on January 13, 2025.
In preparation for the feast, there were three
days of Novena in honor of St. John the Baptist.
On the third day of the Novena, a solemn
Eucharistic celebration was held, followed by a
car procession. The faithful, carrying lighted
candles, joined the procession while praying the
rosary. On the day of the feast, a solemn
Eucharistic celebration took place. Fr. Anil
Lobo, the parish priest of Sundekere, celebrated
the Holy Eucharist, and Fr. Melwin Tellis, the
parish priest of Koppa, delivered a homily about
St. John the Baptist, highlighting him as a
saint of hope. A total of 22 priests
concelebrated the Mass. After the Mass, a festal
meal was served to all the faithful.
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Inauguration
of the Renovated Chapel
 On
13-01-2025 The Most Rev Dr T. Anthony Swamy,
Bishop of Chikmagalur blessed and inaugurated
the renovated sub-station chapel dedicated to St
Paul the Hermit popularly known as Santha Vana
Chinnappa. In 1982, 43 years ago, late
Archbishop Alphonsus Mathias, then Bishop of
Chikmagalur offered for the first time a Holy
Mass and blessed a small hut dedicated to St
Paul the Hermit. The present renovated chapel
was constructed in 1998 and was in dilapidated
condition. Renovation was the need of the time.
With the contribution of the parishioners and
well-wishers and hard work of the faithful
belonging to the sub-station work was completed.
Rev Fr Sanjay Juvanes preached the word of God.
Fr Felix Thomas Rosario, the Parish Priest
Thanked all.
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Drafting
of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan
 To
enhance the Diocesan pastoral activities, a
planning meeting for the year 2025 was convened
on January 7, 2025. The session was presided
over by Most Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Swamy, the
Bishop of Chikmagalur, along with Rev. Fr. Anil
Joyal Prasad, the Karnataka Regional
Coordinator, Rev. Fr. David Prakash, the
Diocesan Commission Coordinator, and Rev. Fr.
Charles Pereira, the Chancellor. During the
meeting, all the Commissions presented their
comprehensive plans for the year ahead. These
strategic outlines aim to address the pastoral
needs and objectives of the Diocese, fostering
spiritual growth and community engagement. The
finalized plans will soon be disseminated to the
Priests and Religious members serving in the
Diocese, ensuring that all are aligned with the
mission and vision for 2025. This collaborative
effort underscores the commitment to nurturing a
vibrant and dynamic faith community.
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THE
ANNUAL FEAST OF INFANT JESUS CHURCH HEMMAKKI
 The
annual feast of Infant Jesus Church Hemmakki,
under the jurisdiction of Hirebile Parish, was
celebrated with grandeur and devotion on
Tuesday, January 14. The festival commenced at
10 a.m. with a grand procession. Rev. Fr.
Anthony Raj, the Parish Priest of Samse, blessed
the chariot of Infant Jesus, followed by the
Holy Mass. Rev. Fr. Alwyn Joe, the Assistant
Parish Priest of Koppa, celebrated the Holy Mass
and delivered a meaningful homily on hope, in
line with the Year of Jubilee. Fr. Anthony Raj
distributed candles to all the families of the
sub-station and to the donors of the feast. The
parish priest Rev Fr David Prakash, extended his
gratitude to everyone for their contributions
towards the successful preparation of the feast.
The festive Mass concluded with the Agape. A
notable aspect of this church is the rare and
miraculous statue of Infant Jesus. This statue
was gifted by the Most Reverend Bernard Moras,
the then Archbishop of Bangalore, on the
auspicious occasion of the church's 10th
anniversary. He brought the statue from the
Czech Republic, the origin of the devotion to
the Infant Jesus, and installed it in the
church. All the devotees celebrated the feast of
Infant Jesus with fervor, offering prayers and
making the festival a meaningful event.
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POPE'S MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS |
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CIRCULAR |
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