Monday, August 27, 2007

MANGALORE: Diocesan Directory - 2007

New Mangalore Diocesan Directory Out

Directory of the Diocese of Mangalore - 2007

MANGALORE, August 27, 2007: The new directory of the Diocese of Mangalore is now available at "Mangala Jyothi", the Diocesan Biblical, Liturgical and Catechetical Centre.

The directory has complete and up-to-date information regarding the diocesan officials, parishes, priests, pious associatons, institutions and religious orders.

For the first time there has been included a brief history of the diocese and a section on the "Prelates from the Diocese of Mangalore" which lists a total of 39 Bishops, including 5 deceased, who hail from Mangalore.

Also included are the email and website details of parishes and institutions, and a map showing all the diocesan parishes coming under the nine taluks of Mangalore, Udupi, Kundapur, Karkal, Belthangady, Bantwal, Puttu, Sullia and Kasargod.

Copies of the directory at Rs. 35/- each may be obtained from "Mangala Jyothi", Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi, Mangalore - 575 005 (Tel: 0824-2215747)

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

MANGALORE: National Bishops Workshop Inaugurated

MANGALORE: Cardinal Toppo Inaugurates National Computer Workshop for Bishops

Cardinal Toppo and Bishops at the National Computer Workshop for Bishops
(Click on the picture for more photos.)

MANGALORE, July 21: A three day computer workshop for bishops was inaugurated at St. Aloysius Chapel here by Cardinal Toppo yesterday afternoon.

"We are here as shepherds of the media age to acquaint ourselves with the computer and Internet skills so that we can be more effective in our service to the Church and to the people of India" the Cardinal said.

The national workshop titled "Shepherds in the Media Age" which will be held at the Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Institute and St Aloysius College Computer Academy will help the 24 participating bishops to improve their computer and internet skills. The workshop is organized by the CBCI Commmission for Social Communications.

Highlighting the need to acquaint oneself with computer and internet skills Cardinal said, "By learning computer and Internet skills, we should assist the community, to cross many cultural thresholds, each of which called for fresh energy and imagination' in proclaiming the Good News of sublime human and spiritual values."

"This workshop will surely open before us wide vistas and avenues for innovations in our pastoral ministry," he told the assembled Bishops.

Earlier, Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore welcomed the bishops to Mangalore while Fr. Swebert D'Silva, the principal of St. Aloysius College spoke of the significance of the famous Jesuit chapel.

The prayer service was led by Bishop of Baroda Godfrey de Rozario and later Fr. Henry D’Souza, the executive secretary of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications introduced the dynamics of the workshop.

The National Workshop for bishops will conclude on Aug. 23 with a seminar on: "Communicating in a New Way in the Media Age".

Saturday, August 18, 2007

MANGALORE: Shepherds of the Media Age (Bishops' Workshop)

Shepherds of the Media Age, Bishops To Acquire Internet-Computer Skills

New Delhi, Aug. 18, 2007, 09.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

The Catholic bishops of India will be joining a national workshop to acquire computer and Internet skills organised by the CBCI Commission for Social Communications on the theme: “Shepherds of the Media Age.”

24 bishops led by the CBCI president Cardinal Telesphore Toppo will inaugurate and also participate in the 4-day workshop which will be held at the Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Institute and St Aloysius College Computer Academy.

“Christianity is essentially communication and the Church is called to be a communicating Church. Therefore, bishops as shepherds are called to be communicators in the new media age,” said the chairman of the CBCI Communications Commission, Archbishop Oswald Gracias.

“Today’s communications revolution demands that leaders ‘think communication’ and use new communication technologies to get their message through,” declared Archbishop Gracias.

During the workshop, “the bishops will acquaint themselves with the pastoral communications skills and upgrade their knowledge of computers,” said the facilitator of the programme and the executive secretary of CBCI Commission for Social Communications, Fr Henry D’Souza.

“Internet is a versatile tool of communication and bishops as leaders need to be computer savvy and Internet friendly. Leaders of today cannot tackle today’s challenges with yesterday’s tools,” said Fr Henry D’Souza.

It may be recalled that CBCI’s general body meeting held in Trichur in 2004, deliberated on the theme, “Church and Social Communications.” The general body came out with a much appreciated final statement entitled, “Called to be a communicating Church.”

The general body of CBCI had emphatically stressed that all church leaders – bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters and lay persons need to be trained in communications.

“It would be interesting to see the Shepherds of the new age, moving about with lap-tops in their pastoral work”, remarked Fr D’Souza.

The workshop will end on Aug. 23 with a session on “Communicating in a New Way in the Media Age” which will coincide with the inaugural session of the national conference of Catholic communicators.

Friday, August 17, 2007

CCBI President's Independence Day Message - 2007

Oswald Gracias: India Stands Erect Among Nations with Great Moral Authority

Bangalore, 15 August, 2007 (CCBI News):

Message of Oswald Gracias as India Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee of Independence

August 15, 2007 takes our minds back to August 15, 1947 when at the stroke of midnight India awoke to a new dawn and the world welcomed into its ranks another great free nation: our beloved motherland India.

Pride swells our hearts when we think about the great men and women who have walked our land and led it to great heights. Economic progress has been evidenced in the past few years but the soul of India was being nourished by its great leaders right from the beginning so that it stood erect with great moral authority among the Comity of Nations.

Today, the world looks with awe at India because of its great economic strides as it foresees that within a decade it will be among the leading economic forces of the world. At the same time we have to regretfully admit that the benefits of economic progress have not percolated to all levels of society. There are still millions in our country who are living below the poverty line; millions who cannot read or write; millions who are still deprived of adequate medical facilities; thousands of villages still remain without adequate water, sufficient power or proper sanitation. Only when no Indian is hungry when every Indian can live with dignity and has an opportunity to contribute to our nation's progress can we say that we have truly arrived.

On this happy occasion, we pray to God to bless our Motherland, its leaders and its people, a land so richly blessed with resources, human and material. We pray to God that the years ahead will see besides economic progress, development in every field particularly moral values so that corruption, intolerance and criminality become buried in history. We pray to God that our country become to the world a model of true humanism, genuine respect for the individual and deep upholding of spiritual values. JAI BHARAT MATA, JAI HIND".

+Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay and President - C.C.B.I.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

CBCI President's Independence Day Message 2007

Message of the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI)

On the 60th Anniversary of Independence of India

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge...At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance" (Jawaharlal Nehru )

These historic words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru heralded a new era for India that had long been under the British colonial rule. Under the able and dynamic leadership of our great Statesmen who steered the destiny of our free nation, India began its long march on the road of progress and development.

Successive Union and State Governments carried on with the vision of the founding generation for building India as a sovereign republic, democratic, modern, progressive and strong nation. It is a matter of great pride that we as a nation have achieved many feats in agriculture, industry, science, technology, health and education. We have built up a strong defense force, a just judicial system, an expansive media that has raised the level of public consciousness, a network of academic centers and research institutes and, of course, an army of skilled work force that has been the bulwark of all these achievements over the years.

In this great venture of nation building, the Christian community in India has been making its small but noteworthy contribution towards the development of our country through its network of education and health institutions, social and economic development programs.

All these are legitimate reasons for us to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Independence. On this cherished occasion, we salute with grateful admiration those heroic men and women and pay fitting homage to all of them and to tens of thousands of unknown soldiers who have sacrificed their lives on the altar of Freedom, with sheer dedication and commitment for the great cause of Independence of India

While being proud of the economic, social and political achievements made over the last six decades, we cannot in all honesty turn a blind eye to the hard realities of our country. Our economic prosperity has certainly earned us a membership in the global economic club, but it has terribly failed to percolate down to those living on the peripheries of society. It is a matter of serious concern that India still houses nearly 300 millions of people living below poverty line. Although we may have created world-class education and health institutions, we still have a long way to go before we can ensure quality education and health services to large sections of the population, particularly to the poor and the marginalized. Let us have no illusion. There can be no peace without justice and no development without peace.

Creation of Panchayati Raj institutions was a step in the right direction of decentralizing planning process, and that women constitute 50% of the elected representatives in such institutions is a matter of considerable achievement. However, we are still wrestling with the age old problems of corruption, mismanagement of resources and neglect of the real deserving groups from the ambit of development. Coupled with this is the escalated communal divide that we have witnessed over the last decade, reflected in many a riot in different parts of the country causing huge loss of life and property. In particular, the religious minorities have been feeling a growing unease and deep anxiety, as they have been repeatedly targeted by certain socio-political organizations.

India has a lead role to play in the modern world that is struggling to come to terms with multi-cultural and multi-religious ethos that has been our hallowed heritage for millennia. India has always been an inclusive society with different cultures, languages, religions and philosophies that co-existed, creating great confluences of minds and hearts, values and traditions. And to preserve this unparalleled heritage is the supreme duty of each one of us, citizens of Independent India.

On this joyful occasion, let us pray that God Almighty bless our country abundantly, keep it united and strong, prosperous and peaceful, and above all bring cheer and well-being to the least of our brothers and sisters. May our sages’ wisdom of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” where every citizen feels included in the process of development and progress of India come true in letter and spirit as we, as a nation, march ahead.

With grateful hearts, let us keep in all our families, institutions, parishes and Dioceses a Day of Special Prayer for Our Country as we celebrate 60th Anniversary of our Independence. May Mother Mary, whose Feast of Assumption into heaven we celebrate on the very day of our Independence, show us the way to live out our Freedom through a dedicated life of love and generous service.

"Into that haven of freedom, O Father, let my country awake" (R. Tagore)

Yours sincerely in Christ,

† Telesphore Cardinal Toppo
Archbishop of Ranchi & President, CBCI

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Christy Fernandez Appointed President's Secretary

Christy Fernandez Appointed Secretary To President Of India

August 9, 2007

NEW DELHI -- An Indian Administrative Service officer from the Catholic community has been appointed secretary to the newly sworn in President of India, Prathibha Patil.

Christy Fernandez, belonging to the Latin Catholic diocese of Quilon in Kerala state, has assumed charge of his new post, after serving as secretary to the Department of Tourism at the Centre.

Son of Leon Fernandez, a schoolteacher in Clappana in Quilon diocese, he had his early education in a local school and university education in Fatima College Quilon and Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum.

Fernandez belongs to the 1973 batch of the IAS Gujarat cadre. He has also served as joint secretary in the Agriculture and Petroleum ministries, additional secretary in the Commerce ministry and principal secretary of the Gujarat Town Development Council. He has been an active member of the parish wherever he is posted. (SAR)

Monday, August 06, 2007

BANGALORE: St. Joseph's Wins Bible Quiz

St. Joseph's Boys' School Emerges Inter-School Bible Quiz Champions

August 6, 2007

BANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- St. Josephs Boys’ School Bangalore emerged winners of the fourth Annual Interschool Bible Quiz hosted by Serra Club of Bangalore, August 4, at the Catholic Club here.

Thirty-eight teams from 20 Catholic schools in the city took part in the preliminary written round comprising 30 questions. Five teams qualified for the finals.

As many as 114 students participated in the quiz based on St. Mark’s Gospel.

The final round of the quiz comprised individual questions, a rapid-fire round and a visual round. St. Joseph’s School bagged the D’Sa Rolling Trophy for the winners.

St. Francis Xavier’s Girls’ School finished second and Cluny Convent Malleswaram third.

Later, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore addressing the children exhorted them to read the Bible and get to know Christ Jesus better. He presented the 15 finalists with a special Bible.

Organiser and vice-president of Serra Club, Brinda Abreo, said the general standard of participation was steadily improving every year and it was the endeavour of Serra Club to sow a small seed for vocations in the hearts of Bangalore's Catholic youth while encouraging and helping them to know the Bible better.

Serra Club, a group of lay Catholics, is committed to fostering and promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. (SAR)

Mangalore To Host Two National Seminars

Mangalore To Host Two National Seminars

August 6, 2007
MANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- ‘Communications in the Church’ is the theme of two national seminars to be held in Mangalore August-end.

The first seminar for bishops with the theme “Shepherds of the Media Age” will held August 20-23 and the second one for the diocesan communications directors and the regional communication secretaries with the theme ‘Communicating in a new way in the Media age” will be organised August 23-26 by the CBCI Commission for Social communications at the Pastoral Centre here.

The bishops’ seminar will delve on pastoral communication skills, computer skills, Jesus the Perfect Communicator, communications -- opportunities and challenges, media, human rights and civil liberties.

About 20 bishops are expected to participate in this seminar.

The second seminar for the diocesan communications directors deals with the topics: Communications - opportunities and challenges, media, human rights and civil liberties, Jesus the Perfect Communicator, Whither Church communications in India, Catholic communicators and print media in India, Performing arts – a people’s medium, Catholic communications, Civil society and social concerns, New media – a new forum for Catholic communicators, Media and consumer rights.

About 120 diocesan directors, regional secretaries of communications and others associated with the Church media are expected to participate in the seminar.

Both the seminars will have their inaugural session at Sandesha, the regional social communications centre with Cardinal Telesphore Toppo inaugurating the seminar and Bishop Aloysius D’Souza of Mangalore welcoming the participants. (SAR)

Sunday, August 05, 2007

BOMBAY: Vianney Sunday - Archbishop's Wishes

Vianney Sunday (Aug 5) in Bombay Archdiocese

On Sunday, August 05, we celebrate the feast of St John Marie Vianney, patron of priests engaged in the pastoral ministry. I invite our clergy, religious and faithful to pray very specially for our priests and seminarians, for vocations to the sacred priesthood, for our retired clergy and for those priests who have already gone to their heavenly home.

May I take this occasion to thank all the priests in our Archdiocese who are engaged in the pastoral ministry. I know the dedication and commitment with which you work for our people. May God through the intercession of St John Marie Vianney inspire you to give your best in your priestly ministry.

I express my sincere gratitude to all those who support our Diocesan Seminary, Goregaon and the Clergy Home, Bandra with their prayers and their offerings. I thank the Administrators and the whole Staff of the Clergy Home who together with the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master dedicate themselves so selflessly for the service of our retired clergy. I thank the Rector and Staff of St Pius X College who together with the Poor Sisters of Our Lady care for our seminarians. It would interest all to know that this year there have been eighteen new admissions to the Diocesan Seminary, five being candidates for the Archdiocese of Bombay. God willing, we should have six Ordinations to the Priesthood for our Archdiocese next April.

The collection at all the Parish Masses on Vianney Sunday and cheques made out in favour of “Archdiocese of Bombay” are to be sent to the Diocesan Fund, for sick and retired priests, at Archbishop’s House by the end of August 2007.

+Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay

July 28, 2007

---

On Sunday, 5 August 2007, Archbishop Oswald Gracias will celebrate mass at:

9.30 a.m.: Feast Mass, St Ignatius Church, Jacob Circle

6.30 p.m.: Vianney Sunday Mass, Holy Name Cathedral, Fort

Saturday, August 04, 2007

KARKALA - St. Lawrence Feast 2007

MANGALORE-KARKALA: St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur - Feast 2007

The solemn mass of the annual feast of St. Lawrence at Attur will be at 10.30am on 10 August. The New Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, V. Rev. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu will be the main celebrant on the occassion.

The preparatory novena will be at 10.30 am everyday from 1st to 9th August. It will be led by Fr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar Udupi (1 Aug), Fr. Mathew Vas (2 Aug), Fr. Vincent D'Souza (3 Aug), Fr. Michael D'Silva (4 Aug), Fr. Stany Goveas (6 Aug), Fr. Vincent Coelho (7 Aug), Fr. Alfred Pinto (8 Aug) and Fr. Cyprian Pinto (9 Aug).

Lunch will be provided on novena days to all pilgrims.

For more information, contact: Rev. Fr. Arthur Pereira, Parish Priest, Attur, Ph: 08258-233842,230322

Dr. Carvalho Appointed Vatican Academy Member

Dr Pascoal Carvalho Appointed Corresponding Member of Vatican Academy

New Delhi, Aug. 04, 2007:

Dr Pascoal Carvalho has been appointed Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life by His Excellency Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Academy, Vatican City.

The Pontifical Academy for Life was established by Pope John Paul II to study questions and issues connected with the promotion and defence of human life from an interdisciplinary perspective, and also fostering a culture of life and communicating to the various institutions of the biomedical sciences, social-health care organisations, the mass media, and the civil community in general about the most relevant results of its study and research activities.

Dr. Carvalho received his Doctorate in Microbiology and worked as a Post Doctoral Fellow (W.H.O), securing his Post Doctorate in Immunology.

Dr. Carvalho has several publications in International and Indian scientific journals. In addition to an eminent career in immunology, Dr. Carvalho is recognised in academics. He has been called upon for his expertise in the Biotechnology Industry.

He is a Member of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology. He was a co-guide, IIT, for M. Tech students of Bio-Medical Engineering and has been a Faculty member Food & Drug Administration (FDA)- Officers training programmes. Dr. Carvalho is also on the Internal Animal Ethics Committee of The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) as a nominee on behalf of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Dr. Pascoal Carvalho is a resident of Bandra, Mumbai. As a Catholic scientist he has been making notable contributions to ethics in medical diagnosis, and is always at the service of life through educational programs in biomedical ethics. He is a Member of the FIAMC Bio-Medical Ethics Centre, Mumbai, and the Diocesan Human Life Committee, Mumbai. (CBCI)