“Smile at what you have rather than grieving over what you do not have,” says Most Rev. Dr Paritosh Canning

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Most Reverend. Dr Paritosh Canning, the 16th Moderator of the Church of North India (CNI), Synod – representing 29 dioceses, advised clergy and pastorate committee members of the Marathwada Diocese on Monday (April 13) to become ‘self-reliant’ by developing what they already have instead of complaining about what they lack. He emphasised that they should prioritise the spiritual responsibilities entrusted to them rather than focusing on shortcomings.

After assuming office, this was the maiden visit of Dr Paritosh to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he delivered his address. Prominent dignitaries including CNI’s (Synod) Deputy Moderator Rt Rev. Dr Silvans Christian, treasurer Subrata Gorai, Director (The United Church of Northern India Trust Association) Dr Lal Bahadur Kamble, and Bishop of the Marathwada Diocese (CNI) Rt Rev. Prakash Patole were present on the dais.

Also present were vice-president Rev. S S Khandare, honorary secretary James Ambildhage, honorary treasurer Daniel Aswale, and Reverends Moses Jadhav, Sanjay Khandagale, Rajesh Sojwal, Samson Battise, Rajendra Dive, Ranjan Rathod, Sushilkumar Ghule, Kishor Gaikwad, Sunil Pakhare, Prabhakar Bhalerao, Moses Wadagle, Akshay Ghule, Mukesh Kasbe, Vaibhav Kamble, Dilip Bhalerao, Bibhishan Kamble, Roben Gudekar, Sangharsh Nirmal, Abraham Kasbe, Vilas Nade, Joseph Patole, Samuel Nikalje and Anant Khandagale from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna districts, along with Pastorate Committee members of all churches, were present.

Grand welcome

The dignitaries were welcomed at the Nehru statue in the Cantonment area in traditional Maharashtrian style with turbans. From there, youth organised a motorcycle rally and escorted them in a chariot procession to the Mission Compound. At the venue, the Christ Seva Mahila Mandal welcomed them with a ‘lejim’ performance, showering rose petals, bursting firecrackers, and presenting an enormous garland lifted by a crane, creating a grand reception.