Fr. Derek Fernandes - New Karwar Bishop

Fr. Derek Fernandes Named Karwar Bishop

Episcopal Ordination on April 20, 2007

Having accepted the resignation of Bishop William Leonard D' Mello upon having reached the age limit, the Holy Father has named Rev. Fr. Derek Fernandes, Chancellor of the diocese of Belgaum as the new Bishop of Karwar (India).

The official announcement in Italian came from the Vatican February 24, 2007.

Rev. Fr. Derek Fernandes was born on 14 May 1954 at Sirsi, then part of the Diocese of Belgaum. After having attended school there, he entered the Seminary at Belgaum, and went on to the St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore for the philosophical and theological studies.

After the ordination in May 1979 he carried out the following assignments:

1979-1983: Parochial Vicar and then Parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Dharwad; Parish priest of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church, Tumarikop;

1983-1986: Parish priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Modage (Belgaum) and Director of the Orphanage of Nirmala Nagar;

1986-1990: Studies for the Doctorate at Urban University, Rome;

1991-2002: Chancellor and of the Diocese of Belgaum; Member of the executive board; Judicial Vicar; Consultor and Member of the Senate of the Priests; Secretary of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies; Secretary of the Commision for the Laity; Administrative director of the St. Xavier's High School and P.U. College;

2004-2006: Diocesan administrator of Belgaum. Currently he is chancellor of the Belgaum Diocese

The Diocese of Karwar comprising the whole civil district of Uttara Kannada in Karnataka and spread over an area of 10,291 sq. km, was carved out of Belgaum diocese and erected by the Decree 'Christi Missum" of Pope Paul VI on 24 January 1976.

Bishop D'Mello was appointed its first Bishop and ruled the diocese of predominantly Konkani-speaking Catholics 30 years till his retirement this year.

The episcopal ordination of Bishop elect, Fr. Derek Fernandes who will succeed Bishop D'Mello as the second Bishop of Karwar will take place at 4.30 pm on April 20, 2007 at St. Joseph's High School grounds, Karwar. The Apostolic Nuncio in India, Most Rev. Pedro Lopez Quintana will be the principal consecrator. The Mass will be followed by a public reception at 7.00p.m.

BANGALORE: Priest Warns of Faith Dangers

Priest Warns Catholics of Dangers to the Faith

BANGALORE March 5, 2007 (KCNews.org): A Catholic Priest in the South Indian Archdiocese of Bangalore has warned Catholics about dangers threatening the Catholic faith in today's world.

"We need to locate ourselves realistically in the world that we live in", Fr. Adolf Washington told the 600 odd Catholics attending an audio-visual seminar on keeping the faith in today's world, Sunday evening at Good Shepherd auditorium in the city.

He mentioned some of the recent controversies - the "Da Vinci Code", James Cameron's "The Tomb of Jesus", Brothers of Jesus, and claims of finding Mary's remains at ephesus or the skull of infant Jesus "somewhere in Europe" - as posing a challenge to the faith .

However, "on the positive side", the Vice-President of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) and editor of SAR News said, "no person in human history has been the centre of so much of attraction, so much of intrigue, so much of interest and debated so much like that of Jesus Christ."

These controversies don't disturb those who are not serious about their faith but a serious person expresses concern "not only about my faith" but also "about the faith of my children and my grandchildren, about all those whom I love and the thousands of Catholics who may go astray by such kind of controversies," Fr. Adolf noted. Such a person prepares to resist the false "waves of intellectualism and scientific discoveries" by a deeper study of the Scriptures and of the faith.

In a world where "time has become the most important commodity" and is equated to money, a 24 hour schedule does not seem to be enough, the Priest said. Recalling what his grandma told him about marriage preparation courses lasting 15 days or a month in her day, today Catholics, he contrasted, are asking that even a 3 day course be made shorter.

"There are a lot of us... who look at our watch the moment the Priest begins his homily but we can sit for three hours in a cinema hall without even having a watch on our hands, " Fr. Washington told an amused audience adding, "we must laugh at ourselves. We must laugh at how we look at life."

He also pointed out the case of some parents who neglect to send their children for regular Sunday Catechism, and who, when the bishop comes to administer the sacraments, ask for a one-week "crash course in catechism." "We're living in a world of crash courses... and so we're coming to a crashing point even in the Church". "The struggle for survival can take more time than our desire for worship," he cautioned, adding that it is going to be "something dangerous for our children" if in a world of commercialisation we're going to forget our religious life.

The Priest also warned about the danger of the new age religious movements which he "crudely" defined as "a masala or a mixture we eat; [a] little of every religion, some theology some philosophies from here and there, pick them up, put them together, and give it." These movements, he said, are coming up "because, firstly people are not convinced completely of their own beliefs and secondly because everybody wants to try something new; because that is the kind of world we are living in; everyday there is somethign new." Those looking to try something new, he said, are "heading dangerously for new age religious movements where even the Christian can sometimes fall prey to choosing", a reason why "many of us are skipping from faith to faith, belief to belief, philosophy to philosophy" he said.

In a world of changing times, says Fr. Washington, the joint family system has given way to the nuclear family "to that extent, even vocations are suffering in the church". "We're going to something more dangerous", the Priest said pointing to the work of genetic engineering where parents in future will be able to "decide and choose" the baby they want. "The world", he said, "will offer us that" but "the Church will prevent us; and there's where the crisis of faith will come." "We'll be looking at people, not as people but as subject and objects" with those involved in this trying to "play the role of God."

Highlighting the dangers of changing work patterns, "the body time clock itself has been readjusted", the Priest said citing the example of the call centers and BPO work culture. This can result in very high stress levels affecting interpersonal relationships and resulting in "isolation and silence in the house".

When work patterns do not match Church timings, we try "to adjust the Church to the world" instead of adjusting our own lives in such a way as to make God "more important than anything else" the Priest said.

In order to keep the faith in today's world, it is necessary first of all to desire to keep it, Fr. Adolf stressed. "You can't keep the faith in today's work if you don't want to keep it" he explained. Those who "always play the blame game" and make excuses about their Priest keeping them in ignorance, cannot keep the faith in today's world. One can find a lot of information through "catholic websites, [the] vatican website, liturgical websites", through books, discussions and even with the help of "elderly catholics who are well-formed in the faith," he pointed out.

One must also be serious about his prayer life, Fr. Adolf said explaining that prayer ought to have the four elements of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.

One also ought to love and accept the Church even with its frailties, Fr. Washington said, pointing out that the "easiest thing is to criticize is the church and the church leaders and the most difficult things to criticize in the face is the boss who gives you your salary."

Further, growing in the knowledge of Scriptures is indispensible to keeping the faith, he said.

Finally Fr. Adolf said, we must grow in the faith within the family without leaving everything to the Catechism teachers, the Priests and the Nuns. That, he said, would be like treating the "Church as a creche".

Among the dignitaries present on the occassion were Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore and Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), who was recently nominated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as a member of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Archbishop Moras later released the inaugural issue of the new Archdiocesan magazine, Tabor.

Cyril John Re-Elected Chairman of the NST

National Service Team Reconstituted

Ms. Mae Britto, Bangalore

According to the Statutes provided by the CBCI to the National Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service (NCCRS), it is responsible for "service and promotion of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal all over India under the Holy Spirit's action and in close contact with the CBCI". The National Service Team (NST) is the apex body responsible for carrying on the mandate given to the NCCCRS. As the term of the present National Service Team (NST) is coming to an end on 31st May 2007, the members of the existing NST came together under the leadership of Most Rev. Valerian D'Souza, Bishop of Poona and Episcopal Advisor of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal appointed by the CBCI in Don Bosco Provincialate, Okhla, New Delhi on 17th and 18th February, 2007 to pray and discern the new team.

The nominations received from the regions were considered by the NST and through prayer and discernment chose a 16-member team to be on the National Service Team for the three year period from 2007 to 2010. Mr Cyril John was re-elected as Chairman of the NST for the third term and the Vice-Chairman is Mr Dickson Mendes from Mumbai and the Secretary is Sr Serena MSA from Ajmer. Other members on the team are: Rt. Rev. Vincent Barwa (Ranchi), Fr Augustine Vallooran VC (Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor), Mr Thomas Paul (Kerala), Sr Elsis Mathew MSMI (Kerala), Prof. Constantine Ferandez (Kerala), Mr Louis Mendonca (Pune), Mr M.A. Joppan (Kerala), Fr Johny Pananthanam SSP (Allahabad), Fr James Mathew SDB (Kolkata), Mr Francis D'Souza (Mumbai); Mr Merwyin Rodrigues (Goa); Fr Solomon Victor Rodrigues (Vasai), Mr Vinoo Antony (Chennai) and Lenny Soares (representing the National Catholic Charismatic Youth Council (NCCYC).

On 17th February, the entire Team visited the National Charismatic Office in Tagore Garden where Most Rev. Vincent M. Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi presided at the Eucharistic celebration and the homily was preached by Rt. Rev. Anil Couto, Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi. The Delhi Service Team hosted a dinner in honour of the Bishops and the NST. Mr Anand Mathew, Chairman of the Delhi Service Team welcomed the guests and explained introduce the members of the Delhi Service Team.

Parish Mission- Abu Dhabi - 2007

The Parish Mission by Fr. Conrad Pesso at St. Joseph's Church, Abu Dhabi

The Parish Mission at St. Joseph's Church, Abu Dhabi will be held from February 26 to March 1, 2007 and conducted by Fr. Conrad Pesso.

*Fr. Conrad will give the homily during all the Masses on February 23, 24 and 25.

DUBAI: Retreat by Fr. Augustine Vallooran - March 2007

DUBAI: English Retreat by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C. at St. Mary's Church

Dates:
1. March 2-4, 2007 (Fr. Augustine will preach the Homily during all the English Masses)
2. March 5-8, 2007

Time: 7.00pm to 9.30pm

For More Details Contact: +971 4 3370087, +971 4 3358504, +971 4 3379542

GOA: Serve Abandoned Youth: Salesian Rector General

INDIA Visiting Salesian Chief Stresses Congregation's Role To Help Indian Youth

February 14, 2007

PANAJI, India (UCAN) -- The head of the Salesians of Don Bosco says his priests and cooperators in India should come together to better serve abandoned youth and to further the congregation's charism.

"We ought to work like a movement, to be visible in front of the Church, society, and to be credible as a single family," Rector Major Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva said on Feb. 7 in the western Indian state of Goa.

The Mexican-born priest was speaking to former students of Salesian institutions, cooperators and members of his Religious society who gathered in the state capital of Panaji, 1,910 kilometers southwest of New Delhi. Cooperators are lay men and women who assist the Salesians in their work, sharing the spirituality of the congregation but not professing formal vows.

The rector general, ninth successor of Saint John Bosco, arrived on Feb. 6. His two-day visit coincided with the conclusion of the Salesians' yearlong 60th-anniversary celebration of their arrival in Goa in 1946.

Father Chavez Villanueva said the Salesians and their cooperators should form a "synergy catering to the youth, poor and the abandoned." He also reiterated that the Salesian society is a spiritual and apostolic movement in which "we are called to be missioners and apostles of youth."

One of the challenges facing them is to enrich society with human values learned in Salesian schools and thus advance the Salesians' Christian identity. The rector major asked all branches of the Salesian family to come together "in the form of a tree" and chalk out a strategy for the benefit of youth.

Later, he addressed a group of novices and pre-novices and asked them to discover their own dreams and work toward realizing them. "If you have a vocation, you have enthusiasm, a mission to accomplish," he told them.

While addressing Salesian nuns, Father Chavez Villanueva stressed that everyone in the Salesian family has a duty to live and work the way the founder had shown.

At a press conference, the rector general said the Salesians plan to set up the country's first Catholic university in Guwahati, Assam state, the commercial hub of northeastern India.

On Feb. 8, Father George Quadros, rector of the Salesian provincial house in Goa, told UCA News the priests' leader also "challenged" them at a closed-door meeting to "stop being concerned about building structures" and focus more on building the personality of the youth they serve.

Father Quadros said their chief wants his men to follow Don Bosco's example, to give youth the best kind of education and prepare them to be skilled, competent and proactive members of society.

Students of various Salesian institutes welcomed Father Chavez Villanueva on his arrival. Amid full-throated cheering, they released colorful balloons and showered colored paper on the priest as his open jeep entered the Salesian complex in the capital, where the first Salesians set foot 60 years ago.

END
Reproduced by Konkani Catholics with permission from UCAN (www.ucanews.com)

BANGALORE: "Can You Keep the Faith?" - AV Presentation

BANGALORE: "Can You Keep the Faith?" - Audio Visual Presentation by Fr. Adolf Washington

There will be an Audio-Visual presentation on keeping the Catholic faith in today's world by Fr. Adolf Washington, details of which are as follows:

Venue: Good Shepherd Auditorium, 25 Museum Road, Bangalore–25.
Date: Sunday, 4th March, 2007.
Time: 6pm

For group or individual passes:

Call: Jose (9980092152), Antony (9940484447) or Dev (9986923583)
Email: activetrust@gmail.com

UAE - World Marriage Day 2007 - February 12

UAE: World Marriage Day 2007 - St. Mary's Church Dubai

World Marriage Day 2007 will be celebrated by the Marriage Encounter Team for the 5th consecutive year at St. Mary's Church Dubai, at a special Eucharistic celebration at 8pm on 12th February 2007.

There will be a special felicitation of the "Longest Married Couple", present at the service, by Fr. Peter, the Parish priest.

(Please note that this will be the same Eucharistic celebration for couples celebrating their anniversary in February).

There will be an Entrance procession comprising of all couples who have completed 25 years of their marriage.

Please feel free to invite your family members / friends / relatives to this celebration, and also encourage them to join this procession, if they have completed 25 years of marriage.

They would be required to be present at the main entrance of the church at 7.45 pm sharp. (Special seating will be reserved for them in the front pews)

Posted by Mariza Ferrao/Rohan F. Britto

MUMBAI: Glory 2007 - Gospel Music Concert - February 2007

Mumbai: "Glory 2007" - Gospel Music Concert at Orlem, February 12, 2007

For more information: Visit JoyfulNoise.in

Posted by Robin Viegas

MUMBAI: Our Lady of Egypt Church Outreach - February 2007

Outreach Programme by Our Lady of Egypt Church, Kalina, Mumbai - February 2007

There will be an outreach program on 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th February 2007 at St Mary's High School grounds from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. The programme will begin with holy Mass at 6:00 p.m.

On Sunday however, the mass will be at 6:45 p.m.

Mr. Trevor Lewis of the Jeevan Jal prayer group will conduct the Outreach.

The daily themes are:

February 8th - 'Love'.
February 9th - 'Forgivness'.
Feb. 10th & 11th - 'Inner Healing' & 'Healing'.

Confessions will be heard from Friday the 9th onwards.

Seating arrangements have been made on the grounds. Volunteers will be there to help those in special need.

Come one, come all for this spiritual renewal which will help discern God's plan for you.

Should you have any query, please call Mr Francis Mendes on 9223335922.

There will be no Mass at 7:00 p.m. in the Church on those days.

Posted by Robin Viegas

GOA: Navy Obstructs Anjediva Church Feast Again

Navy Bars Entry To Island Church Again

February 7, 2007

PANAJI, India (UCAN) -- For the third year running, the Indian navy has denied pilgrims access to a church on Anjediva, an island off the coast of Goa state.

Some 40 people from the western state who turned up outside a naval project on Feb. 2 seeking access to the island eventually left disappointed.

Anjediva, in the Arabian Sea about 2,030 kilometers southwest of New Delhi, houses the Church of Our Lady of Springs, which the Portuguese built 10 years before they conquered Goa in 1510. Goa remained a Portuguese colony until 1961. Many Catholics in Goa consider the church their "mother church."

In 1991, the Goa government donated the 370,032-hectare island to the navy to build a 13 billion-rupee (US$268 million) naval base. But it donated the island on the condition that civilians would be allowed access to the church twice annually, for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2 and the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.

In 2002, however, the navy announced it would halt civilian access to the island, leading to a dispute between the navy and Goan Catholics.

This year, the navy informed the Goa archbishop's house, through a fax message on the eve of the Feb. 2 feast, that as a major defense exercise was underway, allowing access to the island was not feasible. Archdiocesan spokesperson Father Joaquim Loiola Pereira told UCA News the navy's local commanding officer, K.P. Ramachandran, also had telephoned him to say some 2,000 naval cadets from all over India were on the island for the exercise.

In late January, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman and others asked naval authorities to allow pilgrims on the island for the feast.

In a letter to Ramachandran, Archbishop Ferrao urged the navy not to view the traditional celebration as a threat to the naval base. He said the navy's security department could easily handle pilgrims and drew parallels to the annual Navy Week, when the navy allows civilians on the island.

The prelate assured the navy the celebration would not overcrowd the island, as only a few hundred pilgrims would visit it. A positive response from the navy, the prelate added, would affirm its commitment to honor the religious needs and legitimate sentiments of Goa's Catholics.

Godfrey Gonsalves, who campaigns for celebrating the feast at the island church, said the navy's denial was an annual excuse "to keep us" away from the island. The navy will "push us around" if Catholics do not "fight for our rights," he told UCA News Feb. 3. The previous day he had visited the mainland naval base connected to Anjediva to register a protest against the navy's "highhandedness."

Previously, some right-wing Hindu groups opposed Catholic access to the island. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (world council of Hindus) claims a temple existed there before the Portuguese captured it.

However, Gonsalves told a press conference on Feb. 2 that local Hindus no longer opposed Catholics going to the island. He said many Hindus also visit the island church, since they believe the Blessed Mother protects their fishing expeditions.

"The only people who are creating problems are the navy," he lamented.

Antonio Barreto, a Catholic layman who tried to visit the church this year, told UCA News the police stopped his taxi at the Goa-Karnataka border. The town closest to the island is Karwar in Karnataka, about 120 kilometers south of the Goa capital of Panaji.

Father Pereira asserted the Church would not take things lying down. "Right now, we will keep quiet. But we will definitely take it up with the higher authorities in the government," he said.
END
Reproduced by Konkani Catholics with permission from UCA News (http://www.ucanews.com/)

World Day of the Sick - Indulgences - February 11, 2007

Indulgences For the World Day of the Sick

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2007 (VIS) - Late yesterday afternoon, the Apostolic Penitentiary published a decree announcing the concession of indulgences to the faithful for the World Day of the Sick, which is celebrated every year on February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year, the Day will be celebrated in Seoul, Korea.

"We must," the text of the decree reads, "reflect deeply upon the fact that human remedies have a limit and that, therefore, there will inevitably come a time when man reaches the end of his journey on this earth. To the sick who are in that condition we must offer the most attentive care and the greatest charity, so that their transit from this world to the Father is comforted by divine consolation and so that, as the Church's prayer for the dying implores, they may see the gentle face of Jesus Christ and clearly hear the voice calling them to eternal glory and joy."

"With this awareness, the Holy Mother Church hopes that the annual celebration of the World Day of the Sick may become an effective catechesis of the teaching ... of the treasure of Revelation, concerning the value and function of suffering."

For this reason, Plenary Indulgence will be granted "to the faithful who, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Holy Father), and with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, participate on February 11 in the city of Seoul, or at any other place decided by the ecclesiastical authorities, in a sacred ceremony held to beseech God to grant the goals of the World Day of the Sick."

The decree continues: "The faithful who, in public hospitals or in private houses, like 'Good Samaritans' charitably assist the sick - especially those suffering incurable and terminal diseases - and who, because of the service they provide, cannot participate in the aforementioned ceremony, will obtain the same gift of Plenary Indulgence if on that day they generously provide, at least for a few hours, their charitable assistance to the sick as if they were tending to Christ the Lord Himself, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions required for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence.

"The faithful who, through sickness, old age or similar reason, are prevented from participating in the aforementioned ceremony, may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions required, they spiritually participate together with the Holy Father in the aforesaid ceremony, pray devotedly for the sick, and offer - through the Virgin Mary 'Health of the Sick' - their physical and spiritual sufferings to God."

Partial Indulgence, the text of the decree concludes, will be conceded to "all the faithful whenever, between February 9 and 11, with a contrite heart they raise devout prayers to the merciful Lord calling for these aspirations to be met in order to help the sick, especially those suffering incurable and terminal disease."

PENT/INDULGENCES:SICK/... VIS 070206 (540)

Marriage - hang in there!

What authority does the husband have in the home?

By Boromor Dias

God's plan for the family is that the husband be subject to God, the wife be in submission to her husband and the children be in submission to their parents. The husband is not to rule over the wife as a dictator, but he does have the responsibility to make decisions on matters affecting the family. However it always turns out good when he makes the decisions consulting his wife.

When God placed man and woman over the earth and instructed them to subdue, multiply, and replenish it, there was only one thing they God did not give them - dominion over...each other. When this is violated there is a tendency for the remainder of Gods plan for the family to also break down. The wife will tend to loose respect for her husband and rebel against his authority. The children will notice this attitude and will themselves become rebellious. Friction in the family is generated when the husband fails to genuinely love his wife and provide just & fair leadership in the family.

Wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord (Col 3:18). The wife should submit to the leadership of her husband as long as he does not violate Gods will. When God's principles are followed, we will always find a strong happy stable family.

How do we have a happy family? Easy - just put God in the center of your home for it is God's word that says "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it" (Ps 127:1).

Some of you may be having problems in your marriage & you find it difficult to go on. You tried your best to make your marriage work but nothing seems to change. You may be saying "Oh Lord. I just cant take it any more. Oh the pain, the suffering, the shame, Lord where are you?" My wife Yvette & I have prayed with many women who have been insulted, disgraced, verbally abused & physically beaten during their married life. There are many more out there who are suffering. If you feel like throwing in the towel & giving up, we are here today to tell you that you are reading this only because of God's grace. Don’t let go my friend, God is going to do something awesome in your life today, don’t let go, hang in there.

Posted by Boromor Dias

GOA: Konkani Retreats at Chicalim - February-March 2006

Konkani Charismatic Retreats by Goa Service Team - February-March 2006

The Goa Service Team of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India will conduct the following Konkani retreats during February and March 2007 at Palotti Home, Chicalim, Vasco.

Konkani Initiation Retreat

1. 6 pm 23 February to 1 pm 28 February, 2007
2. 6 pm 17 March to 1 pm 22 March, 2007

Konkani Growth Retreat

1. 6pm 24 March to 1pm 28th March 2007

For registration and further details contact: Merwyn Rodrigues at 0832-3291043

Posted by Bosco Vaz

GOA: Charisindia Gospel Music Nite - February 2007

Charisindia Gospel Music Nite

By Torchbearers for Christ, Mumbai

and

Shepherd's Voice, Goa Service Team Music Apostolate

3rd February 2007 - 6.30pm - 10pm

Rosary School Grounds, Navelim Goa

4th February, 2007 - 6.30pm - 10pm

Kala Academy Grounds, Panjim Goa

(Entry Passes available with parish prayer groups)