I am very grateful to you for your readiness to help the mission Diocese of Satna, India in its cause of evangelization. The Diocese of Satna was established as a mission territory in July 1968. The present Bishop is Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Kadakallil from the diocesan clergy. Since then, many Religious, especially Vincentians and the Diocesan Priests, have been working in this area, which comprises around 17,447 sq. miles in seven civil districts with a population of about 11 million. Mostly they belong to the Hindu religion and some are Muslims. There are tribals and different caste people. The number of Catholics is around 2,817. There are 75 Priests, 147 Religious Sisters, and 2 Religious Brothers actively working in 28 mission stations. We have 19 Major Seminarians studying in different Seminaries for the diocese.
In the multi-religious context of MP direct evangelization is a difficult task. Therefore the diocese of Satna has taken up this challenge of evangelization in the midst of troubles. Our mission in India, especially in the north, faces many persecutions we need to project ourselves as witness to the divine realities. The recent attacks on Christians taught us great lessons, through which God wants to communicate a deeper meaning of mission that is our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our goal of life is to do His will. We strive to maintain personal relationship with Him in spite of limitations and persecutions. There are difficulties and obstacles in all these fields, and at the same time there is a hope for better progress in all these areas.
There are in the Diocese 37 schools, 6 dispensaries, 1 hospital, 1 orphanage, 2 homes for the mentally challenged, 1 home for the physically challenged children, and 1 home for the street girls who have no one in this world to rely on. There are some formation centers for the future missionaries, including Minor Seminary and a Synodal mission Seminary (Theological faculty). Together with this, we are working for the amelioration of women through different programs. We also give AIDS awareness programs. In 11 mission stations we have different programs for the poor people, with the help of Caritas and the local Government.
In view of evangelization, we are conducting retreats, family renewal programs, small Christian community gatherings, ecumenical meetings, inter-religious meetings, prison ministry, training for Nursing Assistance, education centers for school drop-out children, job oriented training for children, and assistance in farming and development of lands for cultivations for the poor villages. The diocese is sharing the Gospel of Jesus with the people, keeping in mind “Jesus went about doing good for others.” This is done through nursing assistance courses for the drop out girls, forming self help groups, water shed programs, high breed seeds distribution, study centers for the blind, eye care units, etc.
We are grateful to you for helping us by your generous contributions. Your support will help us in building up God’s kingdom in our diocese. Many important ministries that can reach out to the people of God of all ages and circumstances depend on your generous sharing of the gifts God has given you. Your assistance helps us to continue with our missionary activities, and thus you are participating in the missionary work of the universal Church. By doing so, you are responding positively to your missionary call.
Your generous contributions will help for the following for the coming year;
1. Maintenance of missionary personnel in the mission.
2. Maintenance of the diocesan seminarians. There are 19 major seminarians and 18 minor seminarians.
3. Assistance for poor children for their studies and the boarding for the boys and girls.
4. For different social work activities, especially in tribal and rural areas.
5. Establishing new centers for missionary work, and establishing “community of disciples of Christ,”
Trusting in your generosity, let me make a request to include our Diocese in your valuable prayers. Thanking you in anticipation for your contributions and assuring you of our daily prayers.