MANGALORE: EWTN Transmission Begins

MANGALORE: Catholics Rejoices as Cable Operators Relay EWTN

MANGALORE September 7, 2007 (KonkaniCatholics.com): One day ahead of their popular Marian feast, 'Monti Fest', Catholics in Mangalore cannot believe their ears as they hear that EWTN, the leading global Catholic TV Channel is now being relayed to their homes by the city's cable operators.

"It was like tasting heaven for some time" said Joannes Rodrigues, an engineering student in the city who couldn't wait to get home to check it out.

Joannes along with a small group of like minded friends has been working behind the scenes for the last three years in order to make EWTN known in the city. "It is doing the work of the Lord that gives greater joy than owning the latest mobile phone" he said expressing his joy over the news.

Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN was started by Poor Clare nun, Mother M. Angelica in Alabama, USA, on August 15, 1981. Now in its 27th year of service, it is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.

Taking the lead from Joannes, Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, the Communications Director of Mangalore Diocese successfully negotiated the possibility of EWTN transmission with 'V-4', the partnership of the major cable operators in the city. Their service extends also to the towns of Belthangady, Moodabidri, Karkal and Bantwal.

Explaining the general lack of ongoing catechetical formation, Fr. Vijay said, "Many people do not know how to answer the faith questions posed to them by Christian Fundamentalists." He believes that "EWTN will greatly help in strengthening the faith of the people by giving them the real teachings of the Catholic Church."

When asked if the viewers will be able to follow the English broadcasts, Fr. Vijay said, "Though English is not understood in the villages, it is well understood by the youth and especially those in the city."

"In any case, one can always watch the programs like the the Rosary, Mass, live broadcasts of Papal pilgrimages and events like the upcoming World Youth Day in Sydney next year", he remarked with optimism.

In order to make EWTN known to Catholics in and around Mangalore, Fr. Vijay plans to have announcements made in Churches, parish publications and through handbills.

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)

KUNDAPUR: Attack on Priest Condemned

Karnataka Bishops Condemn Attack On Church Personnel In Kundapur, Huge Protest Rally Held

Kundapura, Karnataka, June 28, 2007, 9.30 Hrs (CBCI News/daijiworld):

KUNDAPUR: Protest Against Attack on Catholic Priest

Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council (KRCBC) has condemned the assault on a Carmelite priest and four other church personnel at Koteshwar near Kundapur in Udupi district on Monday June 25.

In a press note issued by the Council president Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore has said the attack is an attempt to provoke Christians who are a minority community and to disturb peace and harmony in the area.

The Karnataka Bishops’ Conference has appealed to the chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister B S Yadiyurappa, leader of the opposition and home minister to take immediate action against the accused.

As reported earlier, on Monday Fr Sylvester Pereira and his companions had gone to a Hospital at Kundapur for treatment. Fr Sylvester was taken unawares when the youth attacked him with foul language and beat him in the hospital premises.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday June 27, thousands of people gathered at Shastri Circle in the Kundapura town to show solidarity with the victims of attack and to protest against the communal forces which were “bent to destroying the secular fabric of the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada.”

The protest was organized by like-minded organizations from the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, witnessed a sea of people thronging in support of Fr Sylvester Pereira.

It was not only the gathering of Christians but even Hindu and Muslim brethren came together in huge number, in order to express their solidarity. It was a spontaneous protest rally where an aggressive assault on five innocent people including a priest was condemned.

The protesters included MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, former member of parliament I M Jayaram Shetty, former member of parliament Vinaykumar Sorake, Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary, K Shankar of CPI (M), Rajashekhar of Human Rights Organization, Edwin Crasta, Kundapur Taluk Panchayat president Jyoti Putran, Udupi Zilla Panchayat vice-president Sharada Bijur, Udupi district Congress president M A Gafur, Shyamala Bhandary, ex-MLC Winifred Fernandes, Zilla Panchayat member Gerald Fernandes, Lancy D’Cunha, president of Catholic Sabha, Vicar General of Mangalore Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, Ananta Movadi, Harun Saheb, Jacob D’Souza, Carmelite Karnataka-Goa provincial Fr Dominic Vas, Kundapura dean Fr Antony Lobo and others.

Konkani Catechism of the Catholic Church

"Bhavaddtachem Dirvem" - Konkani Catechism of the Catholic Church

"Bhavaddtachem Dirvem" - Katolik Povitr Sobhechi Dotorn

The provisional Konkani translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Katolik Povitr Sobhechi Dotorn) was published by the Catholic Diocese of Karwar in the Great Jubilee Year, 2000.

In a message introducing the work, the then Bishop of Karwar, Most. Rev. William D'Mellow expressed his "ardent desire" that Church's Catechism "must reach at least each family in this diocese for study, reflection and practice", a desire that inspired that the Presbterium of the Diocese to take up the task of having the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) translated into Konkani, the local liturgical langauge of the people of Karwar.

This great task was achieved by the Parish Priest of Gund, Fr. Reginald Pinto, in association with a team of collaborators.

In presenting the Kannada-script Konkani Catechism "to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our diocese", Bishop D'Mello expressed hope that "it will be in the hands of every Catholic family at the earliest."

INTERVIEW: Oscar Fernandes, Mangalore

May 30, 2007

UCAN Interview - 'My Faith Sustains Me In Politics'

MANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- Compromising one's values will not advance one's political life much, according to Oscar Fernandes, a successful Catholic politician in India.

The 66-year-old federal minister from Mangalore, in the southern state of Karnataka, says his Catholic faith has sustained him during his 35 years in politics.

During that time, he has guided his Congress party as its national general secretary. Recently, he shared with UCA News how he lives his Catholic faith as an Indian politician. The interview follows:

UCA NEWS: What motivated you to enter politics?

OSCAR FERNANDES: It was my Catholic faith that motivated me. I was one of 12 children in my family, and I grew up with a strong Catholic background. As a child I was an altar boy, and as a youth I was active in Church activities. This active involvement with the Church really helped me to think bigger and get into politics. Moreover, I had over a dozen votes in my house itself (he laughs).

As a public figure, do you see yourself more as a Catholic or a politician?

I am both. I never separate my Catholic identity from politics. My faith is personal, and I never had to sacrifice my Catholic identity in politics. However busy I was, I never missed my family prayers, although I miss Sunday Mass sometimes. I believe that my religious identity is more a being and living, and it has been inseparable from my public life.

Has being a Catholic in a predominantly Hindu country helped your political life?

I feel, yes. India is a great nation with secular ideals. Here people do not discriminate against you in the name of religion; only politicians do. People are carried away by how you live your religious and personal life, rather than which god you believe in. I never hide my religious identity anywhere and never felt let down because of this. In fact, political life has been smooth and progressive because I believe in Jesus.

Who is Jesus for you?

Jesus has been a hero for me. He has been the greatest public servant, a revolutionary leader and selfless social activist. He is my role model and motivator. My religion believes in giving rather than receiving, sharing rather than bearing, and helping rather than being helped. I believe my political career was a special call and vocation for me.

Politics and politicians are generally disliked. How can you make a difference in Indian politics?

I believe in witnessing rather than preaching. I hardly preach Christianity, but the people of India know that I am a Christian. They see me praying, they see me happy and content, and they know that I love them. My principles are based on Christian values and I live them. I came into politics in 1972 by winning municipal council elections, and ever since I have lived a Catholic life and political career.

Christians are, by and large, apathetic about politics. But of late, thanks to the efforts of Catholic Sabha (council), hundreds of Catholics have contested panchayat (village council) elections and won. Quite a number of Catholics from various states have also come into national politics. So their thinking is changing.

What is Catholic Sabha? What were its objectives and what has it done so far?

I was one of the founders of (Mangalore diocese's) Catholic Sabha, which has completed some three decades. It was started to protest an anti-conversion bill introduced in parliament in 1979. Later, it became one of the strongest Catholic lay movements. It has provided a platform for many Catholics to enter politics. It has helped many youths to get into civil service, encouraged Catholics to contest panchayat elections and get involved in other social-service activities. We now manage a special school and rehabilitation center for mentally retarded children. Though I am more active in national politics, I have never ignored the Catholic Sabha, my first step in politics.

What are the challenges a committed Christian faces in politics?

It is embarrassing to be amid politicians who believe in mere politics and compromise without scruples to further their political future. But I have neither compromised my Catholic identity nor sacrificed the values I inherited from my devout parents. And those values have been my strength. In politics, if you do not assert your identity, you will get nowhere.

Christians now face persecution in India. As a Catholic minister, how do you respond to this?

I think Christians are luckier and safer in India than in any other country. Indians are so accommodating and hospitable. India has welcomed and supported different religions and faiths. How can we say India is a bad place for Christianity? The problem is politically motivated and never culturally rooted. It is caused by aggressiveness from both sides -- politicians looking for an issue for vote banks and some Christians acting like a politician to push their faith. Both are not correct.

Christianity has to spread through Christian witnessing rather than street preaching. I survived in Indian politics for the past three decades as a practicing Catholic. I was never persecuted for my faith.

You always appear in public with your wife, never alone. Does this ever hinder you?

It is never a bother, but my strength. We have been married for 25 years and never have we stayed separately. She is with me in all my success and failures, good days and bad days. Is it not Christian witness?

I am what I am because of my parents and I want my children also to say that. So we are together and we nurture our children with a good Catholic background. Children will get settled and they will go. But a wife can never leave like that. I believe if we are successful in our family life, we will be successful everywhere. And if we pray together and are strong in our faith, we can move mountains.

MUMBAI: BCS Opposes SEZ at Uttan-Gorai

Bombay Catholic Sabha Supports 'No SEZ At Uttan-Gorai' Campaign

MUMBAI, Maharashtra (May 29, 2007) -- Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS), an influential Christian rights organisation, has openly opposed the setting up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Uttan-Gorai area here.

At a public rally held May 25 at Salvation Seva Kendra, the BCS supported the people of Utan-Gorai in their fight against the SEZ being planned in their area for the development of tourism and entertainment.

The various aspects of the proposed zone, the possible ill effects it would have on the people, the environment and the cultural heritage were highlighted at the rally.

BCS president Dolphy D’Souza welcoming the gathering said that the “actual understanding of SEZ is ‘Special Exploitation Zone’.”

He assured the residents of Uttan-Gorai the full support of BCS in their struggle and offered “all help”. There cannot be any development on the debris of humanity, he said, adding that the Sabha would arrange a meeting of Christian residents of the area with the Church authorities to enlist their support for the cause.

He said the Sabha units would start an awareness drive and collection of signatures to protest against the SEZ, besides displaying “We oppose SEZ” stickers.

President of Dharavi Beth Bachav Samiti, Joseph Gonsalves, spoke of the plight of the people in the 10 villages that would be affected by the proposed project -- seven of which are predominantly Catholic and three predominantly Hindu.

The project would ruin the lives of many people and “it would be the first instance of our own elected representatives displacing us and making a ‘foreign’ settlement within the State. The SEZ, he said, would lead to disintegration of the community economically, spiritually and socially and would put into oblivion the haven of rest and recreation for many of the citizens who used these areas to de-stress at the weekend.

Noted writer and environmentalist, Darryl D’Monte, drew parallels with similar movements of the past and the success stories of those groups who challenged the development and managed to retain their identity, culture and society.

Surekha Dalvi from the National Association of People’s Movement said the SEZ proposal was more than a local issue and was essentially a national problem, which called for a people’s movement against the special zones across the country.

Every political party was supporting SEZs and took just two days to get the draconian Act approving such zones passed, she said. (SAR)

My Testimony - Valerian Dalmaida

The Grace of Divine Intervention

From Desperation to Everlasting Hope

By Valerian Dalmaida

I am a Catholic from South India, born in 1960, in a family of staunch Catholic faith, hardworking, graceful and God was with us all the time. From my childhood I loved Jesus and Mother Mary. Everyday early morning and evening prayers at home, Angelus, Rosary, singing hymns. I was active in all church activities right from my childhood. After graduation, I was in Bombay between 1980 and 1983, for my article training in Chartered Accountancy. In those three years along with studies and work, I gained lot of worldly knowledge both good and bad; away from home I learnt all bad habits, but intelligent I was, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1988 besides having a very good practice, assets and properties at the age of 28. In 1989, I got married to Blanch and by God’s grace I received two children both boys one in 1992 and another in 1993.

My intelligence, qualification, money and recognition at a young age made me very proud, I remained a Sunday Christian and at the same time participating all the rituals and religious practices of other religions and acknowledging in the process that "ALL GODS ARE SAME". Life had up and downs, I was in Middle East with my family, earned good money, returned to India after a stay of 5 years, set up better offices back at home for own practice and consultancy. World was beautiful; smoking, drinking, late nights, parties, recognition, name, salutes, money and all worldly things, you name it, I had it.

1998 saw the software boom in India. Caught up with this boom, I set up a public limited company for software development and related business. The private placement of shares brought in a lot of money, activities were in full swing, good business, by the beginning of 2000, the company set up its full pledged software development centre at Bangalore and branches in five cities of Karnataka. In total 113 people working, a monthly expenditure of over USD 22,000; I was really busy, no church, no mass, no prayers, no rosary, away from family, always busy and on top of all this, I started criticizing Catholics, priests and nuns, I used them for inauguration of offices only with the aim of publicity and marketing of the company products.

Public Issue was planned, approved by SEBI and everything was perfectly going until November 2000, when software public issues had no response, I could not bring out the issue, I needed money for development, I wanted the show to go on. The pride in me, was so much that I started borrowing by mortgaging my assets, personal loans from banks, jewels, fixed deposits and even pledging my wife’s salary. In 8 months, the debt to banks and suppliers was to the tune of USD 250,000. Yes, I reached to a point from where there was no return. For the first time I was feeling the ground under my feet was swiping away. I found myself a pauper, penniless, rationing for food at home, from abundance to nothing, children starving, no money for school fees, not even to buy a chocolate, borrowing for the very existence.

"Do My work, I will do yours"

May 17, 2001, 9.30 in the night, one of our software engineers flying to Singapore on a credit ticket and credit foreign exchange, not knowing what is the position of the company and the owner. Coming out of my office, no vehicle, my life was gloomy, thinking of such a huge debt, I had made up my mind to suicide, and I was walking, not knowing where, either to be hit by a running vehicle or ultimately to walk on the railway track. Yes, I was walking, in tears, desperate, thinking about my qualification, wife, children, mother, brothers and sister, where I was? How I was? How I became? And, I was passing through the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, alone, sobbing and was "HELPLESS". For the first time, after two and half years, standing on the road, as if for the last time, looking at the cross on top of the Church, I uttered without my knowledge THREE words : "JESUS, SAVE ME." And, Alas! In that darkness, I saw a bright light coming from the cross towards me, so bright, I could not see it, I took off my eyes, I lifted my right hand and covered my face and lo, I felt the touch of a hand, my right hand was held tightly by another hand, I heard a voice "DO MY WORK, I WILL DO YOURS." I could not understand, what was happening to me, a total renewal, and my steps were towards my house and alone in the house, and I could not sleep. I was crying, in fact, sobbing like a little child, my entire life since my childhood came in front of me in flashes; it was like I was seeing in a mirror, all my past life. This continued till 5.30 in the morning. I could not sit and I washed my face and ran to the same church for the morning mass, after two and half years.

"Give thanks in all circumstances"

When the mass began, Again, the same voice, speaking to me: "Valerian, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17, 18." This continued during the whole mass. I came out of the Church, I didn’t know, that there are 2 letters of St.Paul to the Thessalonians. I asked one of my friend to read the bible for me for 1Thessalonians 5:16-18. And he read it for me "REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY CONSTANTLY, GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU."

Since that day, till today, the Holy Spirit is guiding my steps to the Eucharist daily morning. I came back to the Lord, unknowingly, what a renewal, a "U" turn; I could understand the scriptures more beautifully, each word of the Lord, so loving and life giving. God showered with so many spiritual blessings, the gift of faith and the gift of word of knowledge, there was peace in my heart and I could feel the Kingdom of God is within me. I attended a retreat by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran VC, of Divine Retreat Centre, Potta, in December 2001 in my home town, I had a confession, and during adoration, I saw the same bright light which I saw earlier from the cross, from the Holy sacrament coming into my heart. Ah, what a tremendous love, I was surrounded by the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The worries, court cases, police cases, waiting in the courts and police stations, criminal cases and warrants for cheque bouncing, no vehicle, no money, walking miles together, the Lord was with me, I was thanking Him, in complete faith, accepting and surrendering to His will. Jesus is living, I could feel him, and I could talk to Him. Yes, he took me for a retreat to Potta in January 2002. I received the gift of tongues and Jesus, revealed me how to pray in my personal prayer. In May 2002, once again, Holy Spirit guided me to another retreat with my wife and two sons. During the week long retreat, all of us received the gift of prayer. On returning from Potta, a visit visa to the Middle East was waiting for me. I thanked the Lord, I left India, in fact, I had to escape, and that was how God told me. Triune God, was leading me, feeding me, within 30 days of landing in this foreign country, God gave me a job according to our needs. I have repaid more than USD 320,000 loan in the past 5 years. God is using me for his kingdom, He is faithful, He keeps His promise, He made me his powerful instrument of faith, and I am spreading the light of Christ and the love of God to those I meet.

Praise the Lord!

She Begged For Alms And Crowned Mother Mary

Picture of Thangamma

BANGALORE, May 28, 2007 -- Pilgrims to the 25-year-old Shrine of Mother of Mines in Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, were in for a big surprise when 76-year-old Thangamma announced her gift of a Rs-65,000 gold crown for the miraculous statue of Mother Mary.

Thangamma won no lottery. It was the alms she received begging for the last 30 years at the Shrine of Mother of Mines in the mining town of KGF, 90 kilometres from Bangalore.

Thangamma is stone blind in her left eye. Her right eyesight is fading, too. But her faith has not failed even in the darkest moments of her life. "I was Muniamma when I came to KGF 31 years ago. It was the good Father John Solomon who baptised me and I took the name Thangamma (Mother of Mines)," she recalls, even as she vividly recollects the many priests who served at the church.

Shrine of Mother of Mines at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF)

Though blessed with four sons and four daughters, she was abandoned by them and her husband and in-laws when she chose to embrace Christianity. "There was a lot of opposition from all sides when they came to know that I wanted to become a Christian… My children began acting rude with me. One of my sons even punched me in the eye," she said with abject grief.

"One by one, they all deserted me. Life was a lonely and painful journey but as I began begging at the chapel of Our Mother of Mines, I began to feel a kind of peace that I never experienced before in my life. I used to spend much time looking at the statue of Mother Mary. She was real to me. She became part of my life. She became my greatest comfort and I decided never to leave the portals of the Chapel."

Father P. Arockiadoss, the first diocesan priest from the parish testifies: "From my early childhood, I used to observe Thangamma always present in the church. I doubt she ever missed a single Mass; she was always found in the chapel either sweeping or mopping the floor or dusting the benches or decorating Our Lady’s statue with flowers."

Thangamma continues with the same routine and is able to strike a conversation with almost anyone.

"When the mines were functioning, many Britishers used to give me good alms."

Now, on Sundays, Thangamma makes a collection of rupees hundred or more. "Some pilgrims sometimes give me a blue note (100 rupees) she says with a broad toothless grin."

Thanks to the generosity of the Vincent de Paul Society-run Home for the Aged in the parish vicinity, Thangamma stays there and gets her daily meals.

Already in her third quarter, hale and healthy Thangamma says, "I will live many more years because I have to beg and buy a gold chain next, for my Mother," she says, tearfully pointing to the statue of Our Lady in the shrine. (SAR)

KARNATAKA: Four Catholic Colleges Granted Autonomy

Four Catholic Colleges Granted Autonomy

Mangalore, May 24, 2007 10.07 Hrs (CBCI News):

The Karnataka Government has given autonomy to four Catholic colleges affiliated to Mangalore University. The institutions are: St. Aloysius College, St. Agnes College, St. Ann's College of Education and Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has credited the 87-year old St. Agnes College with “Five Star” and the 127-year old St. Aloysius College with “A” Grade.

The St. Ann's College of Education, which offers B.Ed., M.Ed. has received five-star grade.

Jesuit Father Swebert D'Silva, principal of St. Aloysius College, said that the college was fully prepared to switch over to the autonomous system from the academic year 2007-08.

St Aloysius College is located in the heart of Mangalore situated on the top of Light House Hill with a magnificent view of the Arabian Sea. It offers Graduate and Post-Graduate Diploma and Ph.D. programmes in a wide variety of subjects in Humanities, Sciences, Commerce and Management. The college also teaches Pre-University courses in Science, Commerce and Arts.

The college traces its origins to 1880 when some European Jesuits who had landed in Mangalore three years earlier put up a college for the education of Catholic youth.

St. Agnes College was started as a center of learning in higher education since 1920. Students from Mangalore and from other districts of Karnataka and Kerala are the major student population who flock in to the portals of this college.

There is also an inflow from the gulf countries to pursue courses in Business Management, B.Com, Computers and Micro Biology. Since recent times students from other parts of the country especially Mumbai and Bangalore are also seeking admission to St. Agnes College.

“What characterizes St. Agnes College as a unique institution is its inbuilt traditions shaping human person of staff and students and a constant striving to establish higher education of relevance and excellence. Excellence is not trifle, but trifles make excellence, both in the classroom and in the daily curricular and extra curricular programmes,” said the Principal Sr Carmelita, AC.

The St Agnes College has been the first ever Catholic women's college in India.