Beyond ATTENDANCE 

Fr Terence Murray

Are We Present or Participating?

This is a question each one of us should ask ourselves. Every Sunday, Catholics across the country gather for Mass. We enter the church, genuflect or bow, find a place to sit and prepare for the celebration. We listen to the readings, join in familiar prayers, sing hymns, receive Holy Communion, and return to our daily lives. 

But let us pause for a moment and ask ourselves an uncomfortable question: Have we participated in the Mass, or have we merely attended it? 

For generations, many Catholics have considered it sufficient to say, "I went to Mass on Sunday." "Going to Mass" has become the familiar expression of fulfilling a religious obligation. Post-COVID, some have even found it convenient to attend Mass online. Yet, the Church invites us to something much deeper than physical or online presence.

What exactly does the liturgy expect of worshippers? The Second Vatican Council, through its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, answered this question with one word: Participation. Not in a half-hearted manner, but "full, conscious and active participation of all the faithful in liturgical celebrations."

The Eucharistic Liturgy is the centre of the Church's life. It is not simply a series of prayers and ceremonies performed at regular intervals. Everything that we believe as Christians finds expression in this celebration.

At Mass, we hear the Word of God, remember Christ's death and Resurrection, give thanks to the Father, and celebrate the Eucharist. We are reminded of God's love, our dependence on His grace, and our calling to live as disciples of Christ.

The liturgy shapes our identity as Christians. It nourishes our faith, forms our conscience, and reminds us of the values by which we are called to live. Our attentive listening and our reflection in periods of silence during Mass is intended to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to each one of us. What we celebrate in church should influence our behaviour at home, in the workplace and in society.

AI Companions and Christian Faith: How the Church Should Respond to Artificial Intimacy

A new form of intimacy is entering homes, bedrooms, counselling offices, and youth culture. It does not require another person in the room. It does not require a covenant, a date, a marriage, a conversation with a parent, or a confession to a pastor. It only requires a screen, an account, and the willingness to let a machine imitate affection.

AI companions are being marketed and used as friends, confidants, romantic partners, and sexual outlets. Some people use them for entertainment. Some use them because they are lonely. Some use them because they are anxious, isolated, curious, rejected, or sexually tempted. Some begin with harmless conversation, then slowly drift into emotional dependence or sexual fantasy. Others seek out sexualised chatbots from the start.

Carey Nieuwhof has recently warned Church leaders about this growing reality, pointing to the fact that roughly three out of four teenagers are now using AI companions. That concern is supported by Common Sense Media's national survey, which found that 72 per cent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 had used AI companions at least once, and 52 per cent used them regularly.

That finding should get the Church's attention. If teenagers are turning to AI for companionship, the issue is not limited to technology policy or parental screen-time rules. It reaches into loneliness, friendship, formation, sexuality, discipleship, and the Church's calling to be a real spiritual family.

A counsellor recently told me that a large majority of his appointments now involve some form of sexual relationship with AI. That observation should not be treated as a national statistic, but it should be received as a serious pastoral warning. Churches should not ignore it. 

Young Environmental Crusaders

Fr Savio Sliveira SDB

Our world today is facing a triple planetary crisis: Climate change, Pollution and Biodiversity loss. Discussing this critical situation in his encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis poses a pertinent question: "What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up? (LS 160). This is a question we need to face as we celebrate Children's Day in our country. Sadly, the older generations, who have brought the world to this crisis, often seem to suffer from apathy and complacency, displaying little urgency to respond to the environmental emergency. But fortunately, as Pope Francis pointed out, "young people have a new ecological sensitivity and a generous spirit, and some of them are making admirable efforts to protect the environment" (LS 209). 

Ridhima Pandey

An excellent example of a young person in our country who is "making admirable efforts to protect the environment" is Ridhima Pandey (born in October 2007) from Uttarakhand. Her concern about climate change grew from witnessing the environmental disasters that regularly affected her home state, particularly the devastating floods and landslides of 2013, in which thousands of people were killed or went missing. Ridhima was barely six at that time! 

In March 2017, at the age of nine, Ridhima filed a petition before India's National Green Tribunal (NGT), arguing that the Government had failed to take sufficient action against climate change, despite India's commitments under the Paris Agreement of 2015. She called for stronger climate action, including a National Carbon Budget, measures to reduce carbon emissions, and a plan to address the impacts of climate change, including India's dependence on fossil fuels.

In 2019, Ridhima was selected to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York. In the run-up to the Summit, on September 20, she participated in the global Fridays for Future climate mobilisation by organising a climate strike in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Living Together with Courage: Religion as a Bridge of Love, Dignity and Solidarity

Bishop Savio Fernandes

Bishop Savio Fernandes' speech at the Mumbai Parliament of Religions held on October 31, 2026  

At a time when our society is witnessing deep divisions, growing mistrust, religious intolerance and increasing polarisation, various religious leaders, distinguished members of civil society, academicians, journalists and activists from diverse religious, cultural and social backgrounds came together to reflect on how we could build a society where people could live together with courage and mutual respect. Differences, which ought to enrich our common life, are increasingly being turned into sources of fear, suspicion and hostility. Sadly, religion itself, which ought to be a source of healing, peace and reconciliation, is at times misused to create divisions and deepen hostility among people.

This situation challenges us to reflect on a fundamental question: What role can religion play in fostering a spirit of courage, compassion and mutual respect, and in helping people live together in harmony? Religion has a vital responsibility to help humanity rediscover our shared belonging and recognise that, beyond our differences, we are all members of one human family, bound together by our common dignity and humanity.

Religious traditions may differ in their beliefs, rituals, practices and understanding of the Divine. Yet, they share a profound concern for human well-being, peace and the search for a meaningful life. These shared values provide a strong foundation for working together on a common platform.

The real test of religion is not how faithfully we observe our rituals, but how compassionately we treat people, especially those who are different from us, those who are vulnerable, and those whose voices are rarely heard.

Celebrate Deepavali, the Festival of Light

Fr Calistus Fernandes

Among the many festivals celebrated in India, Deepavali holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people. Known as the Festival of Lights, it brings joy to families, strengthens community bonds and invites people to reflect on the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, goodness over evil, and life over death. The significance of Deepavali extends beyond lighting lamps, exchanging sweets, wearing new clothes, and gathering with family. It touches a deeper dimension of human existence and invites us to reflect on the light that guides our lives.

Light is a powerful symbol across religions and cultures. It has always fascinated human beings. It gives life, reveals what is hidden, helps us find our way and enables us to recognise what lies before us. Without light, even familiar surroundings can become uncertain and frightening. Light represents life, truth, wisdom, hope, purity and the presence of the Divine. Darkness, on the other hand, often symbolises ignorance, fear, injustice, hatred and despair. Although different religions interpret light in different ways, the longing for light is common to all humanity. It is not surprising, therefore, that light occupies an important place in the spiritual traditions of the world.

The Christian Understanding of Light

For Christians, the celebration of light brings to mind the person and mission of Jesus Christ. The Bible presents light as a symbol of God's presence, truth, life and saving action. The Biblical account of Creation begins with God's command: "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). Jesus declares: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). These words remind us that God's presence brings clarity where there is confusion, hope where there is despair, and the possibility of reconciliation where there is division. 

Women Religious  in a Synodal Church

Dr (Sr) Mudita Menona Sodder RSCJ

Today, we are all talking about the Synodal Church and of walking together with one another.

What is a Synodal Church? 

A Synodal Church is a Church that journeys together as People of God. It invites us to Learn, Love and Live Synodality. It is living a participative and inclusive ecclesial process, where all baptised Christians are eligible to express themselves freely and be heard in order to contribute in the building up of the Body of Christ i.e. the Church (Lumen Gentium No. 32, Preparatory Document No.12).

This calls for inclusiveness and openness where all journey together as a family (Amoris Laetitia) as sisters and brothers (Fratelli Tutti) together with God's creation (Laudato Si'). This implies living communion, achieving participation and being open to mission. It demands discernment of the promptings of the Spirit, evaluation and decision making, not just with regard to Christians, but also with regard to our common Home i.e. Mother Earth and all God's creatures (Laudato Si' No. 13, Preparatory Document No. 5). 

A Synodal Church must proclaim truth and justice and speak up against injustice and repression. A silent woman religious is an inauthentic religious, and her consecration is a farce/hoax. It is a counter-witness and a disgrace. We women religious are called to be leaders/animators, shepherdesses to lead from the front. We are called to be the walkie-talkie Gospel from whom people can read a page each day.

We, women religious, need to let ourselves be educated by the Spirit to a truly synodal mentality (Prep. Doc#19)  which is why awakening women religious' consciousness for a Synodal Church is so very vital and urgent.