Special Pastoral Assembly: A special pastoral assembly was held on 13^th November. Total 150 representatives from all the parishes of Dinajpur took part. In the assembly the priorities of the Diocese were finalized considering the discussion of the pastoral assembly held in May 23-25, 2002. The priorities are:

Priority 1: Catechism and Spirituality
Goal: To build up a united society under the light of the Good News.

Priority 2: Education & Culture
Goal: To educated all the people of the Diocese and make them skilled & productive workers.

Priority 3: Economical development and peace & justice
Goal: To achieve the economically self-reliant community

Priority 4: To empower the Church and social structures
Goal: To build up a civil society empowering the Social structures.

Priority 5: To ensure more involvement in Mission Works.
Goal: To reach to the people who are seeking for the word of Jesus.

Special "Holy Hour": On 13^th November at 6:00 PM there was a special "Holy Hour" for the participants of the Pastoral Assembly. Bishop Moses Costa CSC (Bishop of Dinajpur) and Bishop Francis Costa (Bishop of Mymensingh) inaugurated a picture of "the holy heart of Jesus" built on the wall of Dinajpur Cathedral church by tiles. Bishop Francis gave a conference during the "holy hour".

Welcoming the guests: On 14^th November at 11:30 the honorable guests were taken to the 'jubilee stage' from Dinajpur Bishop's House along with Santali dance. On the jubilee stage, women washed the feet of the guests following the culture. According to the Santali culture it is the most highest way to show honor to a guest. There were Archbishop Michael Rozario (Bishop of Dhaka), Bishop Theotonius Gomes CSC (Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka), Bishop Michael A.D. Rozario CSC (Bishop of Khulna), Bishop Francis Gomes (Bishop of Mymensingh), Bishop Patrick D' Rozario CSC (Bishop of Chittagong), Bishop Paulinus Costa (Bishop of Rajshahi), Bishop Moses Costa (Bishop of Dinajpur), Charge the affairs of Vatican embassy Monsignor Mitja Lescovar, Fr. Philip Rozario (VG of Chittagonj), Fr. Leo Desai (VG of Dinajpur) and Fr. Anthony Bio (representative of PIME Superior General) as the honorable guests.

Opening the Jubilee exhibition: Bishop Moses and Archbishop Michael inaugurated the Jubilee Exhibition after the reception at 12:30 PM on 14^th November. In the exhibition, there were stalls, displaying some dresses, instruments, religious materials, furniture used in earlier days, books, religious congregations activities, caritas activities, how the mass wine and the host are produced etc. Many people visited the stalls with keen interest and attention.

Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Hail Mary: On 14^th November all the people were coming to Bishop's House campus who were invited for this platinum jubilee. There were more than 2,000 invited persons from the parishes of Dinajpur. After the lunch at 2:00 PM all the people started pilgrimage towards the Shrine of Hail Mary, at Rajarampur on foot. The distance of Shrine from Dinajpur Bishop's house is more than 5 KM. All the pilgrims moved reciting the Rosary and singing hymns. The procession was about 1.5 KM long. At 4:30 PM the procession arrived at Rajarampur Shrine. Here there was Bible reading and conference. Bishop Theotonius Gomes CSC, Bishop Patrick D' Rozario CSC, Fr. Quirico Martinelli PIME gave the conferences after the readings. There was also rosary prayer. The rosary prayer was said for the first time on newly introduced the Forth Mystery "The Enlightened Mystery" that was announced by Pope John Paul II this year. After the rosary prayer, Bishop Moses Costa CSC offered Dinajpur Diocese to the Hail Mary.

Festival of Joy and Glory: On 14^th November after the supper at 8:30 there was an 'open air' cultural program at the St. Philip's Boarding football ground. All the parishes of Dinajpur performed various events according to their cultures. There were Santali dance, Oraon dance, Bangali dance, Kirton (folk songs), Jari Gaan (folk songs). "Stranger Band" of Dinajpur Cathedral performed a one hour long band show at the end of the events of all the parishes.

All the Gratitude and Thanks to YOU: On 15^th November there was the Jubilee Mass. From 6:00 AM people from various places of the town and nearby parishes marched toward Dinajpur Bishop's House. The campus of Bishop's House was full by 8:00 AM. At 8:00 AM a group of Santal and Oraon dancing boys & girls started the procession along with the guests, parish representatives, priests and bishop's. At the very beginning of the Holy Mass, Monsignor Mitja Lescovar handed over a special blessing from the Holy Father Pope John Paul II to Bishop Moses Costa. Archbishop Michael, Bishop Theotonius and Bishop Moses lighted the Jubilee candles. Archbishop Michael (1968-1978) and Bishop Theotonius (1978-1996) were the bishops of Dinajpur Diocese. In the sermon Bishop Moses thanked all the pioneers who took very active part for proclaim the Good News among the people of Dinajpur Diocese. Bishop Moses urged all the Christians to carry on the Good News by their life style, as there are many fertile lands to sow the seed of the Good News of God. After the Holy Mass there was a cultural program. More than 4 thousand people took part in the Mass. END