The JESCOM meeting, January 18th – Sunday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at Ashadeep, Nana Bazar, Vidhyanagar.

 

The following members were present at the meeting, Frs. Keith, Ashok, Saji, Rappai, Devasia, Agnelo, Sudhir, K.T. Mathew, Vinayak, William Piyush, Francis Parmar, Jothi and Alpesh Macwan. Frs. Ignace Canis, Varghese Paul and Br. Abril could not be present.

The meeting began at 9.30 a.m.

 

·        Understanding the aims of JESCOM in a broader way: ‘Cum mission’ it is ‘being sent out together’, to use various media transmitting the values, life and mission of Jesus Christ. It provides the means of social communication to the other apostolates and to contribute to and influence the secular media with our values.

·        Whatever we write and produce should have its relevance in today’s context/situation. We make an option for the poor and to be the voice of the voiceless as our decrees remind us.

·        The influence of media – Newspaper, TV, and Internet on today’s youth is tremendous. What is our role in creating the media awareness?

·        How much do we use the media in our meetings and seminars? How effective are we?

 

Collaboration with other Commissions:

·        Collaboration has to be at two levels: (1) Internal – That is, those engaged in Audio – video, Writing and Press be in touch with each other. We must know the happening and availabilities of various means of communication and of the experts. We need to understand and support each other who are engaged in this ministry, and for that, there should be a constant communication (of our activities and personal struggles and growth) happening among the members of this commission. (2) External – Can we take advantage of the means of communication to co-operate with those in other sectors? Communication is very essential for all the sectors. The audio-video usage, the writing – printing are involved in all of them. Can we collaborate with each other? It is a two way process. We need to be communicating in order to help each other to be effective in our sectors.

·        There should be common consensus on the works done. For which we need to be communicative about the projects, works we take up in each sector.

·        Let the heads of the various commissions spell out their needs so they can be helped out. It would be good that the commission head of communication be present for the meetings of the other commissions. There should be a sharing of our projects done and a planning for those at hand.

·        Question may arise. How are we to understand the works of various entities engaged in communication? There are three dimensions to it, Responsibility (direct involvement) – commonality (not directly involved but support each other as member of the same) – other apostolates – Social communication (making an impact on the world of the values of Christ).

 

 

 

Collaboration at Diocese level:

·        There is a felt need of making our products visible in rural regions which are not yet exposed to the emerging new modes of the communication. We need to assist those in need and collaborate with others (diocesan priests who bring out cassettes) to avoid the duplication of projects.

·        Joint ventures with diocese priests for the Church in Gujarat are encouraged.  E.g., this year is dedicated to the Peace and Reconciliation Year.

  1. Anand Press agreed to print posters, book mark on the same topic this year.
  2. Doot would bring out articles on Shanti Samadhan year.
  3. Seven Steps to Reconciliation pamphlets will be prepared.
  4. Special prayer, liturgy can be prepared and circulated to the Churches in Gujarat on World Communication Day.
  5. Katha by Fr.Ignace Canis SJ. On the reconciliation.
  6. Fr. Raj could be asked to write or preach a retreat on Reconciliation.
  7. Some of us can be approached to write on this theme.
  8. Videos can be produced on the same or use which are already available.
  9. Posters can be prepared on Pastoral/women and community based issues for the reconciliation. GC- 35 on reconciliation.
  10. Bring out Hymns, on Peace and reconciliation.
  11. Liturgy on Reconciliation can be prepared for the evening prayers in family and Churches. (Speak to Bishop for the same)
  12. 10 minutes talk can be prepared and broadcast on Channels.
  13. Audio plays be written on the same theme/ Rishta is ready to help out for the workshop.

 

·        Doot Shatabdi Celebrations – preparations towards it have already begun.

  1. We take it up as a magazine begun by the Society and of the Church of Gujarat.
  2. Special Issues to be published, giving chance to the budding writers
  3. Shatabdi Train could be run through the various parishes of Gujarat, with the history, photographs, audio- video, interviews, and old issues as exhibition.
  4. There can be Essay, Story Competition on various themes.
  5. To announce the year of 2011 as communication year for the church in Gujarat with the confirmation of the Bishops.
  6. Bring out the best old articles and editorials to limelight.
  7. Fr. Vinayak would inform the editorial of Doot of the above mentioned suggestions and views.

 

Website for the province:

·        It is thought useful to come up with the province website. It would give us the vision mission statement of the province and each commission, news of the province, details of the various commissions and their works, also give other links and websites for the material.

·        The Communication Commission takes up the responsibility to bring forth this site: Frs.Ashok, Rappai, Devasia, Jothi, Schs. David Roy, Manoj, John Paul would be working on this project.

(Report prepared by Alpesh Macwan)

 

 
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