India: Tura Diocese Trains 70 Touring Sisters in Pastoral Care and Early Childhood Development

Around 70 religious sisters took part in a six-day formation program organized by the Diocese of Tura from October 12 to 17 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Walbakgre, Tura, in Meghalaya, northeastern India.

Bishop Andrew R. Marak of Tura inaugurated the program and celebrated the closing Mass, which focused on the sisters’ spiritual renewal and pastoral mission.

Resource persons led sessions throughout the week to strengthen the sisters’ spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation, with opportunities for reflection, learning and sharing on their religious vocation and service to the Church.

A special open session led by Fr. Thomas Manjaly, chief animator and resource person, focused on Magnifica Humanitas, an encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIV. Several priests and religious joined the sisters for the session and subsequent interaction.

The program also included a session on Maternal and Early Childhood Development (MECDM), organized in collaboration with BAKDIL under the guidance of its director, Fr. Binoy Joseph. Nurse sisters participated in the session, which addressed maternal care and early childhood development.

As part of the program, the sisters visited the Ganol River hydroelectric power generation site and the Wangala cultural site. The outings provided opportunities to learn about local development initiatives, explore the region’s cultural heritage and strengthen fellowship among participants.

The six-day program concluded with the sisters renewing their commitment to their religious vocation and pastoral responsibilities in the Diocese of Tura.