Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Deacons of Bombay Archdiocese

First Ever Married Deacons Join The Holy Orders

Michael Gonsalves

On January 22, 2006, the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Ivan Dias, ordained two candidates to the Permanent Diaconate - a first in the Archdiocese and the country. Michael Gonsalves reviews the historical event

Archbishop of Bombay Archdiocese, Cardinal Ivan Dias seen ordaining two married men as permanent deacons.

It was a historic landmark event in the checquered history of the Roman Catholic Church in India on Sunday at the Holy Name Cathedral in Mumbai when Cardinal Ivan Dias, Archbishop of Bombay, ordained first ever two married men in India as permanent deacons during the solemn Mass in the presence of bishops, the deans, the priests, religious and the faithful congregated for this solemn ceremony.

The sacrament of Holy Orders comprises Bishops, priests and deacons. The candidates ordained on Sunday, Jan. 22 were received into the ministry of the diaconate as a permanent institution. As elucidated by Cardinal Dias, the diaconate is for service (Diakonia, which is derived from Greek, means servant of God). The deacon is commissioned and sent forth to preach the Good News, to teach what he believes, believe what he preaches and practice what he preaches. The three most important aspects associated with the office of the deacon is the breaking of the Word of God, to serve at the Altar and carry out the good works of charity as an official and ordinary minister of the Church in the person and name of Christ.
The diaconate of the sacrament of Holy Orders is open for married as well as bachelors.

At the ceremony, Bishop Bosco Penha, in-charge of the laity, presented the two candidates to the ordaining prelate Archbishop Ivan Cardinal Dias, who after examining them proceeded with the ceremony of ordination, consisting primarily of laying of hands upon the ordinandi, invoking the Holy Spirit upon them and the solemn promising of obedience to the Ordinary of the diocese by the candidates and the pledging of loyalty to the Church by the placing their hands over the Bible.

Soon after their induction as permanent deacons, Mr Lloyd Dias from Sacred Heart Church, Vashi and Mr Elwyn De Souza from St Joseph Church, Juhu assisted the main celebrant Cardinal Dias in the Holy Eucharist along with the other concelebrants Cardinal Simon Pimenta, Auxiliary Bishops Bosco Penha, Percival Fernandez, Agnelo Gracias and Bishop Emeritus Ferdinand Fonseca and several priests from the archdiocese. In the congregation were present, the wives of the deacons, their children, relatives and friends, who participated in the Eucharist and witnessed the extraordinary historic moment.

The institution of the permanent diaconate is a move to give greater participation to the laity in the life and ministry of the Catholic Church, and would go down as a red-letter day in the life of the Bombay Archdiocese for restoring the diaconate to the permanent rank of the Church hierarchy. At the ceremony Cardinal Dias placed the sacrament of the Holy Orders in its true perspective, pointing out a three-fold division. First the Bishop, who acts in the name and person of Christ, is the Shepherd and the Spouse of the Church. This is symbolized by the mitre and the crozier indicating his role as Shepherd, the ring symbolizing him as the Spouse of the Church and his chair, indicating his teaching authority in the Church. The priest acts in the name and person of Christ as sanctifier, symbolized by the paten and the chalice which he uses to offer sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, thus enabling him to offer sacrifice of the Mass and forgive sins. The deacon, who acts in the name and person of Christ, is ordained to the ministry of service, symbolized specifically by the stole (towel). He therefore is the ordinary minister at the Altar and dispenser of the other works if charity and breaking the Word of God. He ranks next to bishops and priests in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Mr Lloyd, 74, grandfather of three children and Mr Elwyn, 59, father of one son, can perform the following religious duties as ordinary ministers of the Church like administering baptism, assisting and blessing marriages, be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, anointing of the sick, read the sacred scripture and preach the word of God, preside over public worship and prayers, administer sacraments and officiate at funeral and burial services. It must be noted that deacons cannot celebrate Mass or hear confessions.

It is a tradition which dates back to the early Church when St Peter, the apostle and his handful of colleagues at the dawn of the Christian era laid their hands on seven men filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom and repute and established the permanent institute of the diaconate to serve the growing Church. The Church was growing so rapidly and the apostles had so much to do that they had no time to shepherd the faithful flock. So St Peter asked the congregation to chose among them holy men who would assist him in his ministry.

A shortage of priest in the Church in the West due to a drastic fall in vocation to the priesthood was one of the prime reasons to restore the institute of permanent diaconate in order to perform the religious duties and dispense the sacraments to the faithful.

However, in India although the lack of vocation to the priesthood is not that acute, the volume of pastoral needs to administer to the large and growing communities of the faithful has increased phenomenally and necessitated the revival of the permanent diaconate. Thus, the historic decision of the Bombay Archdiocese to ordain the laypersons as deacons and get them incorporated in the Catholic Church hierarchy was to restore a practice that existed in the early Church that had fallen into disuse for some historical reasons. The ordination of the deacons was the fulfillment of one of the path breaking recommendations of the Archdiocesan Synod 2001 to draw the laity into greater and fuller participation in the life and ministry of the Church. The deacons, besides celebrating the holy sacraments permitted by the Church, will preach, counsel and guide people spiritually. The emphasis undoubtedly is on providing pastoral and spiritual care of the flock in the vast archdiocese.

Even though the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India had received permission from Rome to establish the Permanent Diaconate way back in 1983, the candidates themselves and the people had to be prepared for this special ministry. The preparatory phase would comprise a period of reflection on the call of the candidates and to offer them space to go deeper into it and discern its genuineness, be sides a period of formation in theology and bible study. People too had to be prepared for changes that they were not accustomed to and could perhaps make them initially resistant to changes that were not explained to them like receiving communion from the hands of the layperson. With Bombay Archdiocese, the largest diocese in the country, giving a lead in training the laypersons and ordaining two, the other 152 dioceses in the country may follow suit, heralding a new era in the Catholic Church.

Mr Lloyd, father of two sons and a daughter, a former supervisor with a Saudi Arabia-based shipping company for 13 years (1972-85), who worked there in preaching and dispensing the Holy Eucharist, studied Theology at St Pius X Seminary for three years from 1985 to 1987 with the encouragement and support of the Americans who were touched by his commitment and service. He received God's call way back on September 7, 1972, a day before Mother Mary's birthday, when in a tragic road accident he was saved and he made a vow to preach the Word of God. In 1987, he joined Bishop Bosco Penha's team as a member of Formation and Involvement of the Laity in the Mission of the Church and the Small Christian Community. He is also a member of the Biblical Committee and Divine Mercy Programme, promoted by Archdiocese of Bombay.

Mr Elwyn, father of a son and a businessman, is a director of the Citizens Cooperative Bank of which he was earlier its vice chairman. After seven years of Philosophy and Theology studies from 1996-2003 at St Pius X Seminary, he was involved in the weekend ministries at Good Shepherd Church, Andheri. At various times he has been chairman of the parish pastoral council, assistant moderator for the community center, member of Biblical, Liturgical and Family committees. According to his wife Sybil, a home maker, Mr Elwyn, the hiring and firing boss at the travel agency business of which he is the proprietor, has mellowed over the years and is now ideally cut out to bring the faithful closer to God.

With the two laymen joining the rank of the Permanent Diaconate, a new phase of ecclesiastical service in the Catholic Church has truly begun, completing the distinct ranks of the Holy Orders in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Some are called early to work in the vineyard but the late comers have indeed shown the way.
-Press release of the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Previous Post: Bombay Archdiocese: First Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate

Tags:

BCS Condemns Attack on Bishop

Mumbai: Bombay Catholic Sabha Condemns Attack on Vasai's Bishop Thomas Dabre and Three Others

BCS press release
Mumbai, Jan 30: The Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS) has condemned the unwarranted attack on Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai Diocese, priests Frs. Oneil Faroz, Philip Vaz and Andrew Rodrigues while they were inaugurating the Suryodaya Ashram, a hostel for the tribal children in the Ghosali Village, Mukada Taluka on January 29 at around 1.30 pm, says the BCS president Dolphy D'Souza in a press release.

The miscreants who allegedly belonged to the Bajrang Dal and Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad numbering over a hundred were armed with sticks and started sloganeering and throwing stones on those who had gathered for this function. This was intimidation of its worst kind. Had it not to be for the strong opposition of the local villlagers who repulsed the attack by the hooligans, something worse could have happened, says the press release.

In the melee one of the priests was hit by a stone and injured. The Ashram has been damaged by the stone throwing and there is fear in the village as to what next could happen.

These fascist elements should appreciate the good work done for this marginalised section of society. To destroy is easy to construct is difficult. and we request them to have the guts to follow this example, says the press release further.

The BCS has taken this matter with chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and deputy chief minister and home minister R R Patil to ensure that adequate protection is provided for Bishop Dabre, Suryodaya Ashram and all the Christian institutions in the Thane District.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha is monitoring this situation and will soon plan its strategy for the next course of action, the press release adds.
Courtesy: Daijiworld.com

Other Reports:
Tags:

Monday, January 30, 2006

Catholics Don't Read Bible?

Why Don’t Catholics Read the Bible?

by Dwight Longenecker

Dwight Longenecker, with his evangelical church background, has some important points to make about the oft heard question, "Why Don't Catholics Read the Bible?".

The independent Evangelical church I went to as a boy gave me a fantastic amount of Bible knowledge. There were Bible drills in Sunday School classes, Bible memory contests and Bible quizzes, not to mention a complete grounding in all the Bible stories—illustrated with those wonderful flannelgraph figures. As I got older I listened to long Bible sermons, went to home Bible studies, youth Bible camps and a Bible holiday club. I ended up going to a Christian University where Bible study was part of our everyday schedule.

Our Christian home wasn’t particularly anti-Catholic, but some of our preachers were, and the general impression I got was that Catholics not only didn’t read the Bible, but that they weren’t allowed to. They didn’t go to church with their big black Bibles under their arm. They didn’t have long Bible sermons or home study groups or youth Bible camps. How could Catholics believe the Bible if they didn’t read it and study it like we did? Continue reading...

Posted by Richard Mascarenhas

Tags:

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Youth Retreat at Dubai in February

Dubai: Youth Retreat at St Mary's Church on Feb 16 and 17

by Elaine Fernandes

Dubai, Jan 28: St. Mary’s Church, Dubai will be conducting a retreat for Catholic Youth of the Parish (14 – 17 years) on February 16th and 17th, 2006 at the St. Mary’s Church Hall. Fr. Maurizio Binahi a popular and vibrant priest will be conducting the retreat.

He also conducted a retreat for the Youth and Young Adults in 2004 and it left a memorable impact on everyone who attended it. With a calm and approachable nature, Fr. Maurizio helps Youth and Young Adults come to terms with Faith and Discipline in an alarmingly simple fashion.

Based in Chicago Fr. Maurizio is in charge of the Peace Corner which caters to providing the Youth of the ghetto areas in Chicago a chance of a good life.

Youth of today need is a sense of direction, a sense of values and a sense of belonging – and by attending this retreat surely they are going to be getting the solution to all these problems.

The Theme for this year’s Retreat is:
Jesus – A Presence that disturbs ....
Calls to radial Discipleship...

The retreat will be divided into 3 capsules that will be covered over 2 days.

LAST DATE FOR REGISTRATION: Febraury 10, 2006. (after this date no registrations will be entertained).

Please contact St. Mary's Church, Dubai (Phone 04 3370087) for registration form and other details of the retreat.

Source:
Daijiworld.com

Tags:

Clerical Celibacy OR Married Priests?

Why Not Married Priests? The Case for Clerical Celibacy

By George Sim Johnston

Writing on the question of Priestly Celibacy, George Sim Johnston shows how in a world that has absolutized sex, a celibate priesthood is a necessary sign of higher things.

Each month, when I face an auditorium full of engaged couples preparing fora Catholic marriage, there is a Q-and-A session. It is the interesting, unrehearsed part of the evening. The couples write their queries on a piece of paper, and the anonymity guarantees at least a few hardball questions about the Church and its practices. "What about Galileo?" is among my favorites, along with inquisitive notes about Torquemada. But the majority of these "zingers" turn out to be protests about the Church's rule of clerical celibacy. "You've told us how wonderful marriage is, that it's a great good for the human person, that the body has a nuptial meaning, and so forth. Well, then: Why can't priests marry?"

Posted by Richard Mascarenhas

Tags:

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Deus Caritas Est - God is Love

A Summary Pope Benedict XVI's first Encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" (God is Love)

God is Love: First Enyclical of Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY, JAN 25, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is a summary of Benedict XVI's first Encyclical, entitled "Deus caritas est" (God is love). Dated December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, it considers the question of Christian love.

The Encyclical is divided into two long parts. The first, entitled, "The Unity of Love in Creation and in Salvation History," presents a theological-philosophical reflection on "love" in its various dimensions - "eros," "philia," and "agape" - highlighting certain vital aspects of God's love for man and the inherent links that such love has with human love. The second part, entitled "The Practice of Love by the Church as a 'Community of Love'," concerns the concrete implementation of the commandment to love others.

PART ONE

The term "love" - one of the most used, and abused, words in today's world - has a vast field of meaning. In this multiplicity of meanings, however, the archetype of love par excellence that emerges is that between man and woman, which in ancient Greece was given the name of "eros." In the Bible, and above all in the New Testament, the concept of "love" is rendered more profound, a development expressed by the rejection of the word "eros" in favor of the term "agape" to express oblate love.

This new view of love, an essential novelty of Christianity, has not infrequently been considered in a completely negative sense as the refusal of "eros" and of all things corporeal. Although there have been tendencies of this nature, the meaning of this development is quite different. "Eros," placed in the nature of man by his Creator, needs discipline, purification and maturity in order not to lose its original dignity, and not be degraded to the level of being pure "sex," becoming a mere commodity.

The Christian faith has always considered man as a being in whom spirit and matter are mutually intertwined, drawing from this a new nobility. The challenge of "eros" may be said to have been overcome when man's body and soul are in perfect harmony. Then love truly becomes "ecstasy," but not ecstasy in the sense of a passing moment of euphoria, but as a permanent departure from the "I" closed within itself towards freedom in the giving of self and, precisely in this way, towards the rediscovery of self, or rather, towards the discovery of God. In this way, "eros" can raise the human being "in ecstasy" towards the Divine.

Ultimately what is necessary is that "eros" and "agape" never be completely separated from one another; indeed, the greater the extent to which the two - though in different dimensions - find their right equilibrium, the more the true nature of love is realized. Although initially "eros" is, above all, desire, in approaching the other person it will ask ever fewer questions about itself and seek ever more happiness in the other, it will give itself and desire to "be there" for the other. Thus the one becomes part of the other and the moment of "agape" is achieved.

In Jesus Christ, Who is the incarnate love of God, "eros-agape" achieves its most radical form. In His death on the cross, Jesus, giving Himself to raise and save mankind, expressed love in its most sublime form. Jesus ensured a lasting presence for this act of giving through the institution of the Eucharist, in which, under the species of bread and wine, He gives Himself as a new manna uniting us to Him. By participating in the Eucharist, we too become involved in the dynamics of His act of giving. We unite ourselves to Him, and at the same time unite ourselves with everyone else to whom He gives Himself. Thus we all become "a single body." In this way, love for God and love for others are truly fused together. The dual commandment, thanks to this encounter with the "agape" of God, is no longer just a requirement: love can be "commanded," because first it was given.

PART TWO

Love for others rooted in the love of God, in addition to being the duty of each individual faithful, is also the duty of the entire ecclesial community, which in its charitable activities must reflect Trinitarian love. An awareness of this duty has been of fundamental importance in the Church ever since her beginnings; and very soon the need became clear for a certain degree of organization as a basis for a more effective realization of those activities.

Thus, within the fundamental structure of the Church, the "deaconry" emerged as a service of love towards others, a love exercised collectively and in an ordered fashion: a concrete service, but at the same time a spiritual one. With the progressive growth of the Church, the practice of charity was confirmed as being one of her essential aspects. The Church's intimate nature is thus expressed in a triple duty: announcing the Word of God ("kerygma-martyria"), celebrating the Sacraments ("leiturgia"), and the service of charity ("diakonia"). These duties are inherent to one another and cannot be separated.

Beginning in the nineteenth century, a fundamental objection was raised against the Church's charitable activity. Such activity, it was said, runs counter to justice and ends up by preserving the status quo. By carrying out individual acts of charity, the reasoning went, the Church favors the preservation of the existing unjust system, making it in some way bearable and thus hindering rebellion and potential transformation to a better world.

In this way, Marxism sought to indicate in world revolution, and in the preparations for such revolution, a panacea for social ills; a dream that has since been shattered. Pontifical Magisterium - beginning with Leo XIII's Encyclical "Rerum novarum" (1891), and later with John Paul II's three social Encyclicals: "Laborem exercens" (1981), "Sollicitudo rei socialis" (1987), and "Centesimus annus" (1991) - has considered the social question with growing attention and, in facing ever new problems, has developed a highly complex social doctrine, proposing guidelines that are valid well beyond the confines of the Church.

The creation of a just order in society and the State is the primary duty of politics, and therefore cannot be the immediate task of the Church. Catholic social doctrine does not want to give the Church power over the State, but simply to purify and illuminate reason, offering its own contribution to the formation of consciences so that the true requirements of justice may be perceived, recognized and put into effect. Nonetheless, there is no State legislation, however just it may be, that can make the service of love superfluous. The State that wishes to provide for everything becomes a bureaucratic machine, incapable of ensuring that essential contribution of which suffering man - all mankind - has need: loving personal dedication. Whoever wants to dispose of love, seeks to dispose of man.

In our own time, one positive collateral effect of globalization appears in the fact that concern for others, overcoming the confines of national communities, tends to broaden the horizons of the whole world. Structures of State and humanitarian associations both support, in various ways, the solidarity expressed by civil society; thus, many charitable and philanthropic organizations have come into being. In the Catholic Church too, as in other ecclesial communities, new forms of charitable activity have arisen. It is to be hoped that fruitful collaboration may be established between these various elements. Of course, it is important that the Church's charitable work does not lose its own identity, lost against the background of widespread organized charity of which it is simply another alternative. Rather it must maintain all the splendor of the essence of Christian and ecclesial charity. Therefore:

Christian charitable activity, apart from its professional competence, must be based on the experience of a personal encounter with Christ, Whose love touched believers' hearts, generating within them love for others.

Christian charitable activity must be independent of parties and ideologies. The program of Christians - the program of the Good Samaritan, the program of Jesus - is a "heart that sees." This heart sees where there is need of love and acts accordingly.

Christian charitable activity, furthermore, must not be a function of that which today is called proselytism. Love is gratuitous, it is not exercised in order to achieve other goals. However, this does not mean that charitable activity must, so to say, leave God and Christ on one side. Christians know when the time is right to speak of God, and when it is right to be silent and let love alone speak. St. Paul's hymn of charity must be the "Magna Charta" for the entire ecclesial service, protecting it from the risk of degrading into mere activism.

In this context, and faced with the impending secularism that also risks conditioning many Christians committed to charitable work, we must reaffirm the importance of prayer. Living contact with Christ ensures that the immensity of need coupled with the limits of individual activity do not, on the one hand, push charity workers into ideologies that seek to do now that which God, apparently, does not manage to do or, on the other, serve as a temptation to surrender to inertia and resignation. Those who pray do not waste their time, although a situation may seem to call only for action, nor do they seek to change and correct God's plan. Rather they aim - following the example of Mary and the saints - to draw from God the light and the strength of love that defeats all the darkness and selfishness present in the world.

To read the full text of the Encyclical, click here

ENC/DEUS CARITAS VIS 060125 (1620)

Tags: Jesus Church Catholic Priest Faith God Catholics Religion Spiritual Christians Love Hope Reason Revelation Bible

Friday, January 27, 2006

Yoga Compatible with Christianity?

In this thought provoking article, renowned Catholic charismatic preacher, Rev. Fr. James Manjackal MSFS shows how "Yoga in philosophy and practice is incompatible with Christianity"

As a Catholic Christian born in a traditional Catholic family in Kerala, India, but lived amidst the Hindus; and now as a catholic religious priest and charismatic preacher in 60 countries in all continents, I have something to say about the bad effects of Yoga on Christian spirituality and life. I know there is a growing interest on Yoga all over the world, even among Christians - and this interest is extended to other esoteric and new age practices like Reiki, reincarnation, acupressure, acupuncture, pranic healing, reflexology, etc. which are methods against which the Vatican has cautioned and warned in her document “Jesus Christ bearer of the water of life”.

For some, Yoga is a means of relaxation and easing of tension and for others is a form of exercise promoting fitness and health and for a few is a means of healing of sicknesses. There is much confusion in the mind of the average Catholic- lay and cleric- because Yoga as promoted among Catholics is neither entirely a health discipline nor entirely a spiritual discipline, but sometimes one, sometimes the other, and often a mixture of both. But in fact, Yoga is primarily a spiritual discipline and I know even priests and nuns in the seminaries and novitiates promote Yoga as help to meditation and prayer. It is sad that now a days, many Catholics are loosing trust in the great spiritualities and mysticisms for prayer and discipline handed over to them by great saints like Ignatius of Loyola, Francis of Assisi, Francis of Sales, St. Theresa of Avila, etc. and are now going after the Eastern spiritualities and mysticisms coming from Hinduism and Buddhism. It is in this regard that a sincere Christian should inquire into Yoga’s compatibility with the Christian spirituality and the wisdom of incorporating its techniques into Christian prayer and meditation.

What is Yoga?

The word Yoga means continue reading...

Posted by Jeneview Lasrado

Tags:

Thursday, January 26, 2006

EWTN: Catholic TV in India

Broadcasts of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) a Catholic Television Channel, Now Available in India for Free Viewing

EWTN, Global Catholic Network Catholics in India can now tune into EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), the world's leading Catholic Television, via cable for free.

"Just like the Apostle Thomas, who first preached the Gospel in India, EWTN brings that same message to television audiences throughout this vast region."
From its humble beginning in a small studio in the garage of the Monastery where its founder Mother M. Angelica, a Poor Clare nun, started creating mini-books with religious teachings and programmes, that small TV studio has now evolved into a state of the art audiovisual complex funded totally by gifts from individuals and groups, and visited annually by thousands of pilgrims.

The heart of EWTN TV Channel is its shows, Daily Mass from the Chapel in Irondale and several Live Chat Shows like Life on the Rock, The Journey Home, EWTN Live, Sunday Night with Fr. Benedict Groschel, The World Over: Global Catholic News and Mother Angelica Live. The network also airs documentaries on Lives of Saints, Church History, Live Coverage of Papal Visits, Vatican Celebrations and Solemnities, Faith Teaching’s Guided By Eminent Theologians, Religious Dramas & Movies, Music, Teenager and Children’s Programming , the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and other devotional prayer segments.

Check out the latest Program schedules.

EWTN’s website - www.ewtn.com - averages more than 6,000,000 page views per month and among its most important features is the Catholic Question and Answer section, where learned theologians answer e-mailed questions about the Faith online. Other services available include: A digital free Catholic library, one of the largest collections of Catholic documents on the internet. It is divided into 39 categories ranging from "Academic" to "Apologetics" to "Youth". Access to more than 6000 documents (including Papal Encyclicals, writings of the Saints and Church Fathers) has proved most valuable for students, seminarians, catechists, and all who wish to explore the Catholic heritage. Visit the EWTN website here.

Here are just a few of the many letters appreciating EWTN.

"We are very grateful and thankful to EWTN for the various programmes and especially the Holy Mass, which we watch in the morning and also in the evening and receive our Lord spiritually. We attend Mass and receive Holy Communion practically every day. On today's programme, you were explaining about the verse from 1Cor.11 vs 23 onwards. which defies the teachings of the protestants who do not believe in the true Presence of the Lord's Body and Blood. We wish to thank you again, since we were so overwhelmed by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer and the rest who come on Miracle Net, when they preach and speak of the anointing and so many people being slain in the Spirit, that we were almost converted to their way of thinking and were even asking people to watch them on Miracle Net, and criticized our clergy for not being forceful in their teachings and not being able to perform any miracles like them. Thanks to EWTN for opening our eyes to the Truth. Regarding Confession too, their teaching on confessing directly to God sounded very positive until we heard about confession on EWTN and all what we learnt in our youth came flooding back." - A Viewer from Mumbai

Hi! We are really grateful for the wonderful live coverage & were really moved by the service made bythe Holy Father Pope John Paul II. We will always pray for him he is the true Shepherd of the Lord. May God bless him. We would like to congratulate all the EWTN staff for a wonderful job & for reaching the service to our homes. Thank you all. - A Viewer from Shillong

Would you like to help?


Become volunteers for EWTN and help to take the Truth to those areas where EWTN is not yet available. The volunteer form can be filled on the website. Viewers can send their messages and communicate at indiadesk@ewtn.com

If EWTN is not available on your cable system. Call Your Cable Operator Today.

Satellite Information: PAS-10, Orbital Location: 68.5° E, Transponder: 8C, Downlink Frequency: 4064.0 MHz, FEC: 7/8, Downlink Polarization: Horizontal, Mode: DVB Clear, Audio #1L: English.


Listen/Watch EWTN LIVE on the Internet

EWTN AM/FM Radio LIVE EWTN TV LIVE EWTN TV

Posted by Vasco Pinho

Tags:

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Reflection: Conversion of St. Paul

Reflection on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul

Sr. Miriam Miranda shares a personal reflection on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul.

Today is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Acts Chapter 9 narrates the episode. He was a hardliner. God struck him by His light and touched him. In the depths of his heart, he had a total transformation and became a zealous apostle emboldened by the Spirit of God.

He could courageously exclaim:

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
"When I am weak, then I am strong."
"Whether I live or die, I belong to the Lord."
"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."
Anyone who has repeatedly reflected on these words of the great Apostle, will find their hope renewed and their faith in the Lord strengthened.

His 14 letters are so profound that one is charged with the knowledge and truths about God. I find it difficult to recall even one page at a stretch; my mind gets so saturated with divine truths whenever they are being proclaimed that I become aware of how far I am from knowing and loving God the way this saint did.

Today let us pray for the conversion of our hearts and minds so that we may know what is true and beautiful and knowing this, that we may practice the virtues and ultimately fall in love with God without keeping back anything, so that nothing in this world may matter to us except the crucified Lord and His Kingdom.

Posted by Sister Miriam Miranda

PRAYER:
Today, Lord, we celebrate the conversion of Saint Paul, your chosen vessel for carrying your name to the whole of the world. Help us to make our way towards you by following in his footsteps, and by witnessing to your truth before the men and women of our day.
From the "Divine Office"

Tags:

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Do It Anyway by Mother Theresa

Do It Anyway

By Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable,
illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Posted by Maria D'Souza

Tags:

Monday, January 23, 2006

Reflection: Sinking or Walking?

A reflection on the Gospel passage where Peter desires to walk on the water with Jesus

Cynthia Fernandes shares an enriching insight.

The other day, I was reading a passage that I would have probably read a thousand times. It is the story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter joining him for a short while. (Matthew 14:22-33) As I read it this time, a new insight popped into my head. I have used that passage numerous times while preaching, but never really thought about what struck me this day.

If you are familiar with the story, you know that Peter had a faith issue as he started to walk on the water. Then, the crucial verse puts it this way:

But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. Peter became afraid and began sinking down into the water. Peter shouted, "Lord, save me!"
Guess what occurred to me? Had I written that scene, I would have probably phrased it differently -- something like, "As the winds and rain blew mightily around him, Peter's faith failed him and as he suddenly splashed down into the water he screamed, 'Lord, save me!'"

Now you may not have noticed the subtle difference, but in the biblical version, Peter appears to have BEGUN sinking into the water slowly -- not with a sudden splash! As I read that, a thought occurred to me, "Isn't that just the way Satan works on us today! He doesn't cause us to question our faith all at once or tempt us to suddenly become totally lost in sin. It happens gradually as we take our eyes off Jesus, bit by bit." We have something entering our lives that opens the door for sin, and gradually, it takes us over completely. Just like Peter, we begin to sink, an inch at a time.

In one of the first few stories recorded in the Bible, Cain is warned by God about this problem. He said to him: "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7 RSV)

Sin did consume Cain; he didn't call out to God for help or heed God's warning. However, Peter cried out to the Lord for salvation. That shows that we have an important choice which determines our outcome in such circumstances. Just like with Peter, Jesus invites us to come to him, but do we have faith enough to take the walk across the stormy seas and be with him? An easy task? By no means! But it is not impossible either, for the Lord is with us, calling us, and reaching out for us. As Jesus said, "This is something that people cannot do themselves. It must come from God. God can do all things." (Mark 10:27 ERV)

There is an old hymn that puts it this way:

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore.
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me. ("Love Lifted Me" by James Rowe)

How are you doing your 'walking on the water' toward Jesus? Bet you can't do it by yourself! You need the Master of the universe to lift you up. He did it for Peter, he'll do it for you. Call on him!

Posted by Cynthia Fernandes

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Stong Women Vs Women of Strength

Poem: Stong Women Vs Women of Strength (Author Unknown)

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape ...
but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future ...
a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...

A strong woman walks sure footedly ...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...
but a woman of strength wears grace...

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ...
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

Posted by Cynthia Fernandes

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Konkani Retreats in Oman in February

Konkani Retreats by Fr. Franklin D'Souza in Oman (Ruwi, Gala, Salalah, and Sohar) from February 4th to 24th.

Jan 21. Renowned Catholic Charismatic preacher, Fr. Franklin D'Souza from Shimoga, has been invited to preach Konkani retreats in the Sultanate of Oman in February this year. Oman has a sizeable Konkani community among the Catholic population that comes to this country in search of work. The majority of the Konkani speaking Catholics are to be found in and around the capital city of Muscat which alone houses 0.6 million of the country's 3 million population.

The Konkani retreats will be held in the parishes of Ruwi, Gala, Salalah and Sohar from February 4th to 24th. The time-table is as given below.


Schedule of Konkani Retreats in Oman - February 2006

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi

Retreat
Dates: February 5-8, 2006 (Sunday to Wednesday).
Timings : 8.00pm to 10.00pm

Night Vigil
Date: February 9, 2006 (Thursday).
Timgings: 10.00pm to 6.00am (Following Day)


Holy Spirit Church, Ghala

Retreat
Dates: February 12-15, 2006 (Sunday to Wednesday).
Timings : 8.00pm to 10.00pm

Night Vigil
Date: February 16, 2006 (Thursday).
Timgings: 10.00pm to 6.00am (Following Day)


St Francis Xavier Church, Salalah

Retreat
Dates: February 17-20, 2006 (Friday to Monday).
Timings : 8.00pm to 10.00pm


St Anthony Church, Sohar

Retreat
Dates: February 22-24, 2006 (Wednesday to Friday).
Timings : 8.00pm to 10.00pm


About Father Franklin

Fr. Franklin is a Catholic Priest serving in the Diocese of Shimoga. Ever since he experienced the powerful touch of God in the first year of his priesthood, he has been involved in transmitting that experience to others through his charismatic ministry of preaching. Numerous healings, conversions and blessings have been the result of his preaching and counselling ministry. He has preached over 400 retreats in and around Karnataka and regulars at the Divine Retreat Centre (Chalakudy, Kerala), Renewal Retreat Centre (Bangalore), and Logos Retreat Centre (Bangalore). Fr. Franklin is the founder and director of the "Jesus Touch" (Yesu Sparsha) team in which he works along with another popular lay preacher and former cine artist, Brother T.K. George. He also ministers over the phone and has produced a Kannada audio cassette - "Holy Mass for the Sick" - which has been a source of healing and comfort for those in the sick bed and unable to attend Mass.


More Information about Fr. Franklin

Fr. Franklin Philip D'Souza M.A.
Director, Jeevodaya - Catholic Charismatic Services
Yuvamitra - ICYM, YCS/YSM
Joint Secretary for the Youth Apostolate
Karnataka Region

Address: Sevasadan-Yuvamitra
Sacred Heart Cathedral
B.H.Road, Shimoga 577201
Karnataka, India.

Email: franklinpreacher@sancharnet.in

Mobile: +91-9845256538

Friday, January 20, 2006

First Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate

Bombay Archdiocese: First Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate

Here is the official announcement made by Cardinal Ivan Dias regarding the ordination of the first two candidates to the Permanent Diaconate in the Bombay Archdiocese.

I am glad to announce that on January 22, 2006 two candidates to the Permanent Diaconate in our Archdiocese will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Cathedral of the Holy Name.

It will be well to recall that those in Sacred Orders belong to three groups: Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Each of them is empowered to act in the person and in the name of Jesus Christ: a Bishop is "a sign of Christ, Shepherd and Spouse, Teacher and High Priest of the Church" (cfr Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Gregis, n.7); a Priest represents Christ as the Head of the Church, His Mystical Body; and a Deacon reflects Christ, the Servant of Yahweh, who came "not to be served, but to serve and to give His life for many" (Mt 20:28). In the Church today, deacons are called to preach the Word of God, to baptise, to distribute the Body of Christ, and to exercise pastoral ministries with the mandate of their Bishop.

For some candidates the diaconate is a step towards their sacerdotal ordination; for others (religious brothers or celibate/married laymen) it is a permanent commitment in their respective states of life to the pastoral ministry of the diocese. The former implies transition, while the latter denotes a permanent state. Hence the qualification: permanent diaconate. There are over 30,000 permanent deacons all over the world today, who are rendering laudable service in the fields of catechetics, health, basic communities, biblical apostolate, charismatic renewal, etc.

January 22, 2006 will truly be a red-letter day in the history of the Bombay Archdiocese, for it will mark a big step forward towards providing an ever more efficient pastoral care to the faithful. It is indeed significant that this joyful event is taking place in the Archdiocesan Year of the Eucharist and the Family.

I invite the Clergy, Religious, Laity and Lay Faithful to thank God with me for the gift of the first two Permanent Deacons in the Archdiocese, and to pray that He showers His choicest blessings on them and their families and on the pastoral ministries they will be entrusted with.
+ Ivan Cardinal Dias
Archbishop of Bombay
January 10, 2006
Posted by Richard Mascarenhas

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Archbishop's Christmas Reception Address

Text of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao's speech at Christmas Reception - Dec 28/05

Here is the text of the welcome address delivered by Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, at the Christmas reception hosted by him for the civil authorities and other public persons, in the Archbishop's House on December 28, 2005.

Our Dear and Honoured Guests:

Your Excellency, Shri S.C. Jamir, the Governor of Goa and Mrs. Jamir,

Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Wilfred D'Souza,

Honourable Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assemby,

Honourable Members of the Parliament,

Honourable Members of the Judiciary,

Respected Members of the Central and State Administration,

Honourable Defence Personnel,

Respected Consular Authorities,

Esteemed Members of the print and electronic media,

Reverend Colleagues in Church leadership,

Major Superiors of Religious Congregations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Together with His Grace Most Rev. Raul Gonsalves, the former Archbishop of Goa and Daman, I have great joy in welcoming you this evening to this Archbishop's House. It is the second time that we are holding this event here, for we thought that there is no better occasion than the festive Season of Christmas --- a season that calls for the sharing of friendship and of mutual concern --- to reaffirm and consolidate a relationship that has always existed between the Church and the civil authorities, between the Church and persons who actively serve the human family in its various needs. For - I quote now from an important Church document signed by the Pope and nearly two thousand bishops gathered in Rome forty years ago - "the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, those too are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the Church."

We would like, therefore, to take this opportunity to re-state that the Church would like to be wherever the genuine interests of the people are being promoted with a steadfast commitment and deep respect for the dignity of the human person. For we believe that at that first Christmas, two thousand years ago, a divine being took human form and was named Jesus and that this uniquely sacred birth elevated human dignity to its highest level. Deeply imbued with this fundamental datum of her faith, the Church has been making, throughout the last two millennia, a significant contribution to the integral development of humankind, especially by her dedication to education, health care and assistance to the less fortunate, without discrimination of colour, creed or race. Through these and other activities, the Church continues to help build a society of justice, trust and cooperation in every part of the world.

Coming to our little State of Goa, we would like to assure everyone that, irrespective of the political affiliations of the governments in power at the Centre or at the State level from time to time, the local Church is committed to extend her unstinted support and backing to any initiatives taken by the Government or other agencies to sincerely promote the integral development of human persons and communities, of course, within acceptable standards and safeguarding ethical principles. I will remind you of what I said last year on this occasion, namely, that whenever Catholics gather for their Sunday Mass, they pray specifically for those who govern the country and the state as well as for all those who enthusiastically work for the well-being of others. So you are all in our constant prayers!

In this connection, allow me to offer a point for our common reflection. We live in a democracy and we cannot thank our Constitution Fathers enough for laying the foundations for the practice of true democracy, inspired by supreme and immutable values, which enable the cultural wealth of the people of India and the gradual development of our society to respond to the demands of the common citizen, whose well-being has been uppermost in the minds of those who drafted our Constitution. On the other hand, we all know, from experience, how easily a democracy without principles and values can turn into a disguised totalitarianism. We have seen, in our own State, how democratic ideas and convictions can be manipulated for reasons of power and personal gain, leaving the wellbeing of the common man grossly unattended and thereby bringing in a highly unstable and disreputable political situation in the State. And, sad to say, people of all political affiliations have contributed to this sorry state of affairs. Isn't it high time that those concerned engage in a soul-searching exercise, so that the citizens' confidence in their authorities can be restored and an atmosphere of credibility can be created around those who are voted to power? We would like to assure that the Church in Goa, deeply concerned as she is with the plight of the common man, would be only too willing to help in this process, according to her limited possibilities.

I am certainly not standing before you today in order to paint a dark picture. During Christmas season we must focus on the bright side of things! And the main purpose of our inviting you all today to this place is to shake hands with you and to tell you that we appreciate what you are doing for the people of Goa and, more particularly, for our Christian Community. On our part, as we have just said, we shall be only too glad to offer our collaboration in the building of a supportive society that sincerely and genuinely promotes the dignity of the human person, religious and cultural harmony as well as peace and justice for all.

Once again, I wholeheartedly thank His Excellency Shri S.C. Jamir, the Governor of Goa, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Wilfred D'Souza, all the authorities in the Government and our distinguished guests for accepting our invitation and making time to be with us this evening. We wish and pray that God Almighty may give all of us a New Year filled with His choicest blessings and inspire us to serve our people with greater earnest and good will.

+ Filipe Neri Ferrão
Archbishop of Goa and Daman.

Archbishop's House, Panjim, Goa, December 28, 2005.
http://www.archgoadaman.org/

Original English text, issued by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media (DCSCM), Goa.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Plane Crash Kills 103 Students

Plane Crash Kills Students from Loyola Jesuit College in Nigeria

Brussel, 14 December 2005 - A plane carrying 110 passengers, including many students from Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, Nigeria, crashed December 10 in the country’s main oil city, Port Harcourt, killing all but seven of them. About 75 of the passengers were Loyola school children on their way home for Christmas break.

Approximately a dozen of them got off the plane in Enugu, prior to the crash. The Sosoliso Airlines flight on its way from the capital, Abuja, crashed during a storm and burst into flames at the airport. Frank O’Connor, SJ, has been working as associate school chaplain at Loyola since the beginning of this academic year. Peter Schineller, SJ, (NYK) is the school president and Marc Roselli, SJ, (NYK) is the principal. Fr O’Connor wrote, “While we still don’t have clear nor complete information about the plane crash yesterday, there were about 75 of our students on the plane. Whether any were among the seven reported survivors, we don’t know. Thanks for the prayers for the victims, their families and all here at Loyola Jesuit College at this difficult time.”

Jerry Aman, SJ, socius of the Northwest Africa Province wrote that, “Marc Roselli and George Quickley (provincial) hope to go to Port Harcourt on Monday and begin the difficult process of trying to console the families. Please remember the souls of these children in your prayers, and remember the grief-stricken families who have so much pain to try to process at this time.”

Source: Electronic Maryland Province News

Posted by Arun D'Souza SJ

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Church Unity Octave Themes

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 2006 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally celebrated every year from January 18 to 25, begins tomorrow. The theme for this year's initiative, taken from the Gospel of Matthew, is: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

The texts for reflection and prayer this year have been prepared by an ecumenical group from Dublin, Ireland, chosen by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

Each day of the Week will have a different theme:

January 18: United through the presence of Christ. "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism" (Ephesians 4: 5, 6).

January 19: Building Christian unity with Jesus in our midst - daily ecumenism. "You also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13: 14).

January 20: Praying together in Jesus' name. "The Lord waits to be gracious to you" (Isaiah 30: 18).

January 21: From the past to the future - forgiveness and healing of memories. "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven " (Matthew 18: 22).

January 22: God's presence among us: a call to peace. "The Lord is with us" (Psalm 46).

January 23: Mission in Jesus' name. "So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost" (Matthew 18: 14).

January 24: Recognizing and welcoming God's presence in the other in Jesus' name
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me" (Matthew 18: 5).

January 25: One in hope. "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14:20).

Although the traditional period for celebrating this week of prayer is in the month of January, in the southern hemisphere Churches sometimes seek other periods such as, for example, around the time of Pentecost, which is also a symbolically significant date for the unity of the Church, and was suggested by the Faith and Order movement in 1926.

In the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, Feast of the Conversion of the Apostle Paul, Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of Vespers to mark the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

.../ PRAYER WEEK CHRISTIAN UNITY/... VIS 060117 (400)

Monday, January 16, 2006

Poem: Angels

Angels

I believe in angels,
The type that heaven remits,
I am encircled by angels,
I must call them my friends.

I can not see them by my side
I was told they are alongside
They are always beside me
To guide me and protect me.

Posted by Christine Pinto

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Father Tommy Passes Away

Fr Thomas Kuruvilla (57), Injured in Ratnagiri Accident, Passes away

Mumbai, Jan 15: Fr Thomas Kuruvilla, who had been injured in a road accident in Ratnagiri on January 6, succumbed to the injuries on Sunday, January 15 at 7 am.

Fr Kuruvilla, parish priest of St Blaise Church, Amboli, Andheri (West), diocesan estate manager and also director RC Cathedral Trust, along with Fr Salvador Rodrigues, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, was returning from Goa to Mumbai in a Toyota Qualis car on January 6.

Around 2 pm, a tyre of the car burst and the vehicle went out of control near Sangameshwar village in Ratnagiri, turned turtle and rolled into a nearby paddy field. Both the priests were injured, of them Fr Kuruvilla severely. Fr Salvador is recovering in the Holy Spirit Hospital.

Fr Kuruvilla passed away on Sunday, January 15 morning.

Funeral details will be announced later.

- Report by Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai (MB)


Update on Sangameshwar-Ratnagiri Accident - by George D'Souza, Orlem

Two senior priests of the Bombay archdiocese had met an accident on January 6, and one of them Fr. Thomas Kuruvilla, 57, parish priest of St. Blaise Church, Amboli and director of Diocesan Estates, has succumbed to the head injuries.

The other priest Fr Salvador Rodrigues, 57, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes church, Orlem, had also suffered serious injuries. He is being treated in the Holy Spirit hospital, Andheri east.

While returning from Goa on January 6, around 2 pm Fr Thomas, who was driving the Toyota Qualis, lost control of the vehicle near Sangameshwar village, Ratnagiri. The vehicle hit a tree and tumbled down into a nearby paddy field. Villagers reported rushed to the spot at once and took both the injured priests to Sangameshwar rural hospital.

Father Salvador was brought to Mumbai for further treatment, but Fr. Thomaswho was in a coma with head injuries was shifted to Kolhapur hospital and was operated upon to remove a blood clot in the brain. His condition further deteriorated and he died on Sunday, January 15. Both priests are said to have been close friends.

Father Kuruvilla, ordained on Arpril 13, 1985, was a great personality and had a responsible position in the diocese. His tragic death has sent shock waves among the parishioners and the whole diocese.

- Report from George D'Souza, Orlem, Malad through Rons Bantwal for Daijiworld News Network


Fr Thomas Kuruvilla (57) Funeral Details

Fr Thomas Kuruvilla (57), parish priest of St Blaise Church, Amboli, Andheri (West), diocesan estate manager and director of Roman Catholic Cathedral Trust, passed away at 7 am on Sunday, January 15.

He had sustained severe injuries in a road accident that occurred near Sangameshwar in Ratnagiri district while returning from Goa in a car, along with Fr Salvador Rodrigues, parish priest of Orlem.

Funeral service will be held in the Church of St Blaise, Amboli-Andheri West, where he last served, at 4 pm on Friday, January 20. The mortal remains will be brought to the church at 1 pm and kept for final respects.
- Report by Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai (MB)

Also Read : Tribute to Fr. Tommy (Thomas) Kuruvilla by Frs. Salu Rodrigues, Allwyn D’Silva, Eddie D’Souza and John D’Mello

Previous Report : Two Priests Meet With Accident, One Still in Coma

Tags:

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Bangalore Archdiocese to host CBCI-GBM

CBCI General Body Meeting to be held in Bangalore from 8th to 15th February 2006

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) will be holding its General Body Meeting (GBM) in Bangalore from 8th to 15th February, 2006. The theme of the GBM is "The Catholic Church's Concern for the Education of the Marginalized". On 12th February, at 4.00 p.m. there will be a Public Mass and Civic Reception on St.Joseph's Indian High School grounds, Bangalore, which will be attended by over 155 Bishops and Cardinals of India, the Papal Nuncio from Delhi, the Papal Delegate for Education from Rome, the Governor, the Chief Minister and Education Minister of Karnataka.

The Archdiocese of Bangalore which is hosting the meeting for the first time in Bangalore will incur an expenditure of approximately 95 lakhs. But considering the privilege and honour the event confers on our beloved Archdiocese, the expenditure is worth incurring. You are invited to participate in the Public Meeting and Civic Reception and also contribute generously for the success of this event.

Your generous contributions by crossed Cheque/Draft drawn in favour of "Archdiocese of Bangalore - CBCI 2006" and may be sent to :

Mr. Henry J. Pinto, (Member of the Public Mass & Civic Reception Committee)
"Grace Haven" No. 21, III (IV) Main,
III Block, RMV II Stage, Bangalore 560 094.

Posted by Henry J. Pinto


Related Links :
Tag:

Friday, January 13, 2006

The Crucifixion from A to Z

The Crucifixion from A to Z

A reminds us of His ARREST like a common criminal and the legions of ANGELS who could have been summoned by Jesus.

B is for the BETRAYAL by a "friend," the murderer BARABBAS, the BLOOD that Jesus shed, or the BEATING that He endured.

C makes us think of the CROSS on CALVARY, the Jewish high priest, CAIPHAS, before whom Jesus was tried, and the shameful CROWN of thorns, the Roman CENTURION who concluded that "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

D is for the DESERTION by His DISCIPLES, the DARKNESS which enveloped the whole earth for three hours just before His DEATH.

E reminds us of the ENMITY of the religious leaders, Christ's EXCRUCIATING pain, or the EERINESS of the darkness.

F makes us think of the FATHER's agony in heaven that day and the FORGIVENESS that Jesus desired even for His killers.

G stands for the GARDEN of GETHSEMANE, the place of betrayal, and GOLGOTHA, the site of the crucifixion.

H is for HEROD and the HYPOCRISY of those who condemned Him.

I calls to mind the INNOCENCE of our Lord and His name IMMANUEL, meaning "God with us."

J is for JUDAS, the trusted friend who turned betrayer, and JOHN to whom was committed the care of His mother.

K reminds us of the KISS of infamy placed upon the KING of kings.

L brings to mind the LIES that they told, the matchless LOVE that caused the Lord of lords to give His life "a ransom for many."

M is for ME (He died for me!), the MOCKING, the howling mob, and His MOTHER, MARY.

N helps us to think of the NAILS that were driven through His hands and His feet, as well as the NINTH hour, the hour He died.

O calls to mind His OPPONENTS who appeared victorious.

P has to remind us of PONTIUS PILATE who released the guilty and killed the innocent, and the PURPLE robe placed upon the Lord in an act of derision.

Q is for the QUAKING the earth did as the shameful deed was done.

R has to do with the REJECTION of Jesus by His own disciples and the RELEASE of the infamous Barabbas.

S stands for SPITTING in the face of the very SON of God, the terrible SCOURGING, the SPEAR that was thrust into His side, and the elite SANHEDRIN who SANCTIONED such an unbelievable crime.

T is for the TOMB in which His body was placed, the THORNS, His THIRST, the false TESTIMONY, and the TRAITOR.

U reminds us of the UNJUST trials and the UNSPEAKABLE shame.

V helps us to remember the VICIOUS VENGEANCE of His enemies, the VEIL of the temple that was rent at His death, and the great VICTORY over death that Jesus would very soon display.

W stands for the WATER Pilate used to try to WASH the guilt from his hands, and the fact that Jesus died for the WHOLE WORLD's sins.

X stands for EXAMINING ourselves, which we do as we remember His death during the Lord's Supper.

Y reminds me of the YELLS of the riotous mob as they cried out, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"

Z is for the ZEAL of His executioners.

Forwarded by Shirley Pinky

Thursday, January 12, 2006

2006 St. Lawrence Feast Schedule

Annual Feast of Saint Lawrence Church, Attur, Karkala

2006 Feast schedule

Tuesday 24.1.2006
Solemn Festive Mass (in Kannada) at 6.00 pm.
Chief Celebrant: Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Belthangady.

Other Masses: 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm (Kannada), 3.00 pm, 4.30 pm, 8.00 pm, 10.00 pm, 12.00 midnight followed by Yakshagana on the life of St. Lawrence.


Wednesday 25.1.2006
Solemn Festive Mass at 10.00 am.
Chief Celebrant: Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P.D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore.

Other Masses: 5.30 am (Kannada), 7:00 am, 8.30 am, 12.30 pm, 2.00 pm, 3.30 pm, 5.00 pm, 7.00 pm, 8.30 pm (Kannada), 10.00 pm, 11.30 pm.


Thursday 26.1.2006
Solemn Festive Mass at 10.30 am.
Chief Celebrant: Most Rev. Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulburga.

Other Masses: 6.30 am, 8.00 am, 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.00 pm (Kannada), 5:30 pm, 7.00 pm.


Other Information for pilgrims:

1. Feast Novena will start from 15th Jan 2006, 8.30 am. Novena followed by Mass daily.
2. During feast days, special prayers are offered for the sick.
3. Candles, oil and other religious articles are available at Church Stall.
4. Donations for shrine projects will be accepted at the stall counter.
5. After every Mass, prayers with laying of hands will be conducted.

More info : http://www.stlawrenceattur.com/

Posted by Shirly Pinky

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Fr. Cyprian Coelho - Update

Fr. Cyprian Coelho suffers paralytic stroke, turns 59 today

Mangalore: Fr. Cyprian Coelho, who is recovering at the Father Muller hospital after a cerebral bleed, turned 59 today.

He was admitted in a serious condition, on December 15, 2005, following the cerebral bleed and had been operated upon. He has now been moved to the ward and is recovering from the paralytic stroke. He however, suffers the loss of his left side from the stroke.

V. Rev. Fr. Cyprian Coelho is the Parish Priest of the Rosario Cathedral, Dean of the Episcopal City, and Chairman of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services at Mangalore. Fr. Cyprian was born on 11th January 1947 and ordained a Diocesan Priest on 23rd October 1974.

Group members have known Fr. Cyprian as a great source of inspiration and help to all in Mangalore, especially in the area of faith formation.

Please continue to remember Fr. Cyprian in prayers.

Inputs from
Nishan Mathias/Monita Fernandes/Crispin D'Almeida

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Father Elias - Update

Fr. Elias With Toe Injury, Otherwise Fine

Father Elias is almost perfectly fine now, we have been informed.

He was admitted to Father Muller hospital 3 days earlier following a bike accident. Though the condition was initially reported serious, he now seems to have had no more than a toe injury, the wound of which, still remains to be healed.

We sincerely thank all those who have responded to our request for prayers for Fr. Elias.

Father Elias is associated with the Jeevan Jyothi retreat team and preaches missions all over Karnataka, mainly in the dioceses of Chikmaglur, Mangalore and Bangalore. We pray for his complete recovery and wish him all the best in his mission.

Update Posted by
Monita Fernandes/Charan Colaco

Monday, January 09, 2006

Two Priests Meet With Accident, One Still in Coma

Prayers Requested for Fr. Tommy and Fr. Salvador

Father Salvadore Rodrigues from an interview with DAIJIWORLD.com
Father Salvadore Rodrigues, Orlem, Malad West


(Jan 6). Father Tommy Kuruvilla and Father Salvador Rodrigues (Fr. Salu) of the Bombay Archdiocese, are reported to have met with an accident at Ratnagiri on Goa-Mumbai highway today. They have been admitted to Kolhapur Hospital, Maharashtra. The two Priests were returning by car from Goa to Mumbai when the tragedy is said to have occurred.

According to an update, Fr. Salu has been brought out of the ICU, while Fr. Tommy continues to remain in coma.

Fr. Salu is the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Orlem, Malad West, which is the largest parish in the country having a strength of over 20,000 catholics. He is also the the trustee and manager of St.Anne’s School and the ecclesiastical adviser at the Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS). Fr. Tommy is the Director of the Diocesan Estate Office at Convent Street, Mumbai.

Prayers for their speedy recovery are requested.

Posted by Sachin Quadros

Also Read :
  • Tribute to Fr. Tommy (Thomas) Kuruvilla by Frs. Salu Rodrigues, Allwyn D’Silva, Eddie D’Souza and John D’Mello
  • Father Tommy Passes Away
  • Tags: