Puri: The serene surroundings of Ishopanti Ashram in Puri became a place of deep spiritual renewal as priests of the Diocese of Jamshedpur gathered for their annual clergy retreat in early October. The week-long retreat, themed “Pastoral Charity of a Diocesan Priest,” offered participants a grace-filled pause from their pastoral commitments to rekindle their intimacy with Christ and rediscover the heart of their vocation.
Amid the quiet beauty of Ishopanti Ashram, the priests entered into days of reflection, prayer, and fraternity. The retreat master, Fr. John Ponnore from the Archdiocese of Raipur, led the sessions with profound theological insight and pastoral warmth. His meditations invited the participants to embrace simplicity of life, deepen their union with God, and rekindle their pastoral zeal in service of the faithful.
In his reflections, Fr. Ponnore emphasized that true pastoral charity flows from a heart united with Christ. He reminded the clergy that their priestly identity must be rooted in prayer and nourished by the Eucharist. “Only when we draw from His love can we radiate His light to others,” he said, encouraging priests to let their ministry flow from interior communion rather than external busyness.
In an age of digital overload and constant activity, the retreat offered a rare gift of silence. Participants described the experience as a “graced encounter with God’s stillness,” echoing the words of the psalmist: “Be still and know that I am God.” Away from phones, meetings, and administrative demands, the priests found space to listen—to God, to themselves, and to one another.
Through guided meditations, Eucharistic adoration, confession, and personal reflection, many rediscovered the peace that comes from resting in the Lord’s presence. One participant reflected, “The retreat reminded us that ministry begins at the altar, not in the office. It is in prayer that we find the strength to serve.”
Beyond prayer and reflection, the retreat also became a time of brotherhood. Shared meals, informal conversations, and moments of laughter strengthened the bonds among the priests. The time together served as a reminder that priesthood is not an isolated calling but a shared mission of faith, built on mutual support and understanding.
The retreat environment fostered openness and communion, allowing priests to share their pastoral challenges and joys in a spirit of trust. These moments of fraternity renewed their collective sense of purpose and mission.
The natural serenity of Puri and the contemplative rhythm of the retreat brought healing to weary hearts. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, many found inner peace and restoration. Fr. Ponnore reminded them of Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
By the retreat’s conclusion, the priests departed Ishopanti Ashram not only refreshed but transformed renewed in their spiritual strength and pastoral identity. Their hearts rekindled, they returned to their parishes ready to serve with deeper compassion, humility, and Eucharistic devotion.
The 2025 Annual Clergy Retreat of the Jamshedpur Diocese stood as a powerful testament to God’s renewing grace. It reminded the priests that spiritual renewal is not an event but a lifelong process a continual return to the Eucharistic Heart of Christ.
As they left the ashram, many carried with them Fr. Ponnore’s lasting words: “A priest is one who is broken and shared for others. The more we live from the love of Christ, the more we become His living presence in the world.”
The retreat thus concluded as a sacred encounter of faith, fraternity, and renewal sending forth the priests of Jamshedpur as grateful shepherds, renewed in zeal to serve God’s people with love that endures.