Bishop Raimo Goyarrola will be visiting Tampere to conduct a bishop’s visitation of our parish on Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15, 2026, as required by church law.
Provisions concerning episcopal visitation in canon law:
– The bishop must visit his diocese in whole or in part annually and in its entirety at least every five years (CIC, can. 396).
– The visit concerns persons, institutions, objects, and holy places within the diocese (CIC, can. 397).
– The visit must be carried out with care and without unnecessary burden (CIC, can. 398).
Thus, matters to be dealt with during the episcopal visit include meetings with the parish priest and clergy, meetings with the parish council, financial council, and special groups, celebration of the Eucharist, a visit to the parish premises, liturgical and sacramental inspection, administrative and property matters, evaluation of pastoral and evangelical life, pastoral challenges and opportunities, and care for the most vulnerable.
During the episcopal visit, parishioners who wish to speak personally with the bishop will also have the opportunity to do so.
The program for the episcopal visit is as follows:
Sat, March 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. Bishop’s Mass
10:45–11:45 Meeting of the parish council and financial council with the bishop
11:45–12:45 Inspection of parish records and discussion with the clergy
1:00 p.m. Lunch with the Little Sisters of Jesus at the rectory
3:00–4:00 p.m. Meeting with religious education teachers and other lay people who volunteer to help with parish activities
4:00–6:00 p.m. Visiting sick parishioners
Sun, March 15, 2026
10:30 a.m. Bishop’s Mass (High Mass of the parish in Finnish)
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Bishop’s meeting with the parents of children receiving their First Communion and young people receiving Confirmation in the English school classroom (sacramental instructions)
12:00–1:00 p.m. Bishop’s meeting with all parishioners in the parish hall. Questions and suggestions may be submitted to the bishop.
1:00 p.m. Lunch (old and new members: parish council and financial council members + new members who have joined through church membership and adult baptism + future members)
2:30–3:30 p.m. Bishop’s meeting with the Vietnamese group
3:30–4:30 p.m. Time for private meetings with parishioners
5:00 p.m. Bishop’s Mass in English
6:00 p.m. Bishop’s meeting with parishioners who usually attend the English-language Mass.
Practical arrangements for church coffee on Sunday, March 15, after the High Mass (10:30 a.m.) and the English Mass (5:00 p.m.):
I would like to ask that each family bring something to eat and drink on Sunday, March 15, 2026. It would be good to bring both sweet and savory nutrition for the church coffee with the Bishop after the High Mass or the English Mass! Both sweet and savory food is needed!
Thank you very much for your help! May God bless you all!
Blessed preparations for the bishop’s visitation! May the bishop’s inspection be a true moment of grace, reflection, and pastoral renewal for our entire parish!
Fr Tri Nguyen
Parish priest