"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)

The Kannada Laity Seminar was successfully conducted at NBCLC from 15 to 18 May 2026 with the participation of 43 lay leaders from various dioceses. The seminar aimed at fostering spiritual renewal, strengthening missionary commitment, and promoting the active participation of the laity in the mission of the Church.

Throughout the four days, participants were enriched through inspiring sessions on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, missionary zeal, pastoral renewal, evangelization, synodality, and the role of the family as a domestic church. The Eucharistic celebrations, presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Rev. Dr. Anil Joel Prasad, Fr. Maxim Dias, and Fr. Vinay Kumar, provided spiritual nourishment and unity.

The seminar featured enlightening sessions by Fr. Richard Pais, Mr. Nirmal Raj, Rev. Dr. Jeevan Prasad Dandavathi, Fr. Cyril Victor, Mr. Alphonse G. Kennedy, Rev. Dr. Francis Assisi Almeida, Rev. Fr. Anthony Prasad, Fr. Jerald Solomon C.Ss.R., and Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues. Topics included personal witness, perseverance in faith, digital evangelization, love for the poor, salvation of souls, holiness in mission, and the call to lay apostolate.

Group discussions, prayer gatherings, a rosary procession, recreation, and fellowship activities encouraged active participation and strengthened the spirit of community among the participants. Future missionary initiatives were also discussed, inspiring the participants to continue their service in their respective dioceses and parishes.

The valedictory function was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Arokiaraj Satis Kumar. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks, group photo, and fellowship lunch.

The four-day programme was spiritually enriching and mission-oriented, empowering the participants to become active witnesses of Christ through prayer, evangelization, charity, and committed lay leadership in both the Church and society.

"The Church needs lay people who are courageous, hopeful, and passionate about the Gospel." — Pope Francis