Youth Retreat
The Diocesan Vocation Centre, Bandra is organising a ‘YOUTH RETREAT’ by Rev Fr Rufus Pereira for college-going and working youth who wish to discern their vocation, from Friday, February 10, at 7.30 pm (starts with dinner) to Sunday, February 12, at 4.30 pm at Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Opp. Mt Mary’s Basilica, 4, Kane Road, Bandra West (BEST Bus No. 211) The charges are Rs 450/= per head (subsidised).
Carry a copy of the Holy Bible, notebook, pen and personal items. As this will be a prayerful time, silence and discipline is a must, and use of mobile phones is discouraged. Register before February 3, at the Diocesan Vocation Centre, DPC, Bandra, during office hours (2642 2556, 2643 1384, 2655 5500).
19th All-Religion Prayer& Get-together
All are cordially invited to the 19th All-Religion Prayer and get-together to be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at St Theresa’s High School Hall, St Theresa Marg, 24th Road, TPS III, Bandra West from 4.30 pm to 7.15 pm. The Theme is “Youth: Nurturing Leaders for Tomorrow.” Mr Joe Monteiro, Human Resource Consultant, will be the keynote speaker. A panel of college students will participate in the discussion, which will be followed by a skit/tableau on the theme. The programme is organised by Daughters of St Paul, BUILD and Bandra Hindu Association.
Community and Preventive Health Mechanisms
On January 12, 2012, the Centre for Social Action (CSA) organised a training programme for community animators, health workers of various CCOs on the various aspects of community health and preventive and promotive health mechanisms. The programme was conducted by Ms Tara Kedari, medical social worker and Ms Shobha from KEM Hospital - PSM (Preventive Social Medicine) department.
The session began with an input on the recent cases of TB (Tuberculosis) - TDR (Total Drug Resistant) and MDR (Multi Drug Resistant) by CSA staff Ms Clipsy, and the preventive measures to be taken at the family and community level. Ms Tara started with a short warm-up game. Then they explained about TB in depth - causes, symptoms, treatment through the medium of posters and flip charts. Most of the participants’ queries and concerns were addressed. Post-lunch, a session on Family and Community Health was conducted with group discussions. At the end of the day, each participant committed herself to contribute to a healthy family and a healthy community.
The Paraclete...
A new book by Fr Fio Mascarenhas, SJ titled “THE PARACLETE, GOD-WITH-US!” is available at the Catholic Bible Institute, 56 Hill Road, Bandra. In his Foreword, Cardinal Oswald Gracias writes, “Rich in scriptural references, deep in theological content, with a well organised structure, and written in a very readable style, it could well be a good text book for all Christians who want to begin a deeper study about the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.” This book is a very relevant resource for the coming Year of Faith, and for the New Evangelisation.
Marriage Preparation Course, Dombivli/ Thakurli
“Sahaya” – the Family Service Centre of Infant Jesus Church, Dombivli/Thakurli conducted its eleventh successful Marriage Preparation Course for Thane Deanery on January 7-8, 2012. There were 34 participants – 15 couples and 4 singles.
The resource persons were from Thane Deanery, trained by Snehalaya Family Service Centre. The Marriage Preparation Course Team from the host parish prepared weeks ahead to see to the logistics and comfort of the participants.
On behalf of the participants, Mr Jubin Boriwala thanked Fr Peter D’Cunha, Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church, Dombivli for organising this Marriage Preparation Course on behalf of Thane (North) Deanery.
The next Marriage Preparation Course will be held on April 14-15, 2012. Participants can register on e-mail: ijcdombivli@gmail.com or contact Infant Jesus Church, Dombivli/Thakurli. Breakfast, lunch and tea will be provided.
2011: Year of persecution
According to CSF reports sent to Fides, 2,141 Christians suffered aggressions, attacks and persecutions in 2011, not counting their families, relatives and friends, indirect victims. The text highlights 250 of the most serious crimes, and raises important issues about freedom of faith, abuse of human rights and Constitutional rights. According to the CSF, the episodes are only counted as uncovered and reported by the media; if one adds those not registered, the total number could triple.
The Report classifies Karnataka as “rogue state” on top of the list for episodes of persecution. Here in 2011, there were over 1,000 attacks on Christians, “an average of 3-5 attacks per day”. Other states mentioned are Orissa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
The main victims are children and women. Children, “unarmed observers of crimes”, suffer effects such as deprivation of basic education, malnutrition, life in refugee camps, fear and financial insecurity, abuse and child labour. Also vulnerable women - nuns, sisters, wives or daughters of pastors or community leaders are targeted and undergo rape and sexual harassment.
Judge Michael F. Saldanha, commenting on the Report, has asked national and international attention, saying that “the police, the bureaucracy and the judiciary give the impression that they have abdicated their duty”. According to Prof. Ram Puniyani, a scholar on Hindu extremist groups, “affiliates of Hindutva (the ideology of Hinduism, ed) have now clearly shifted their attention to Christians, especially tribal and Adivasi communities, as they are easy targets, with little fear of retaliation”. According to Hindu extremist groups, the Christian missionaries converted by force, fraud and seduction, therefore “are a threat to Hinduism”. This theory, said Prof. Puniyani, is belied by the facts, since the percentage of Christians in India has declined; they were 2.60% of the population in 1972, 2.44% in 1981, 2.30% in 2001.
.................................................................. CBCI /Agenzia Fides
Catholic excels at CAT 2011
Samantha Jane Lopez, a parishioner of St Peter’s Church, Bandra obtained a 99.48 percentile at the CAT 2011 exams.
Samantha is a Civil Engineering student with VJTI (Matunga) and has topped her class this year with a GPA of 9.37. Samantha successfully manages to strike a fine balance between academics and volunteer work that involves taking care of many stray dogs in her neighbourhood, every day. She is the daughter of Sarina and Xavier Lopez, and sister of Dr Tamara Ann Lopez.
Feast of St Arnold Janssen
The Divine Word Missionaries celebrated the Feast Day of their Founder, Saint Arnold Janssen, at St Theresa’s Church, Bandra (W) on January 15, 2012. St Arnold Janssen is the founder of three international missionary congregations— Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in 1875, the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (1889), and the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (1896).
The celebrations began with a Solemn Thanksgiving Eucharist at 6 pm. The main celebrant was Fr Joseph Madathany, sacerdotal golden jubilarian (who completed his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood on October 3, 2011.) The first batch of Indian SVDs was ordained in 1959. The main celebrant was flanked by Archbishop Raphael Cheenath SVD (emeritus, residing at Soverdia House, Andheri) and Fr Lazar Thanuzraj Stanislaus SVD, Provincial Superior of the Mumbai Province of the Society of the Divine Word. 23 Priests concelebrated at the Founder’s Day Thanksgiving Eucharist.
Fr Gregory Arockiam SVD, the National Coordinator of the St Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre, Andheri gave glimpses of the life of St Arnold in his homily.
The over 300 guests included the mission partners/benefactors of SVD in Mumbai, members of St Theresa Seva Parivar (which has adopted the SVD mission in Mangaon), members of Disciples of Divine Word (a group attached to Atma Darshan, Andheri, who help out with the programmes at Atma Darshan and are also benefactors of the Society), Pastoral Council members of St Theresa’s Church, Bandra and friends of SVDs. There are over 45 SVDs serving the archdiocese of Bombay, and one minor seminary and music and dance centre in Vasai diocese.
The Indian missionaries in India and abroad are committed to the mission of God (missio dei) and mission of the Church.
Among 225 SVDs working abroad, 8 are provincial/mission Superiors in Latin America and Africa and one is an Archbishop in Zimbabwe. They are working in 43 countries and even in Siberia, we can find an Indian SVD missionary.
................................................... Nirmala Carvalho (AsiaNews)
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Special Eucharist & Blessing for Std. X - XII Students
A Special Eucharist for Std. X and XII youngsters along with their parents is being organised at the Shrine of Don Bosco Madonna, Matunga (E), followed by a special blessing for each youngster on Sunday, 5 Feb 2012 at 12 noon.
For further details, contact : Fr Brian Moras sdb – 9820514721 / Fr Glenford Lowe sdb – 96196 99940 / Don Bosco Youth Services – 6529 1129 or e-mail dbysmatunga@gmail.com
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter invites Married Couples to participate in a Marriage Enrichment Weekend from Feb 3 (7.30 pm) to Feb 5 (5.30 pm) at Atma Darshan Retreat House, Andheri East, Mumbai. Contact: Oliver/Annie : 98211 92737/ 99678 86622; Lionel/Maria : 98214 72520/98195 00800.
Jivanvikas Sadan Programmes:
“Formation of Earth Community to Save the Planet” with Green Sisters: Sr Gail (US) and Amelia (Indonesia) on Sunday Feb 5 (10 am till 1 pm)
Contact Jivanvikas Sadan (The Retreat House), 6 Kane Road, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400 050. Tel. 2641 6653/ 2642 2095.
Atma-Darshan Programmes:
Guided Retreat (For Laity ,Priests & Religious ) …........… Feb. 4 – 10
N L P (Skill Development)……………........................…. Feb. 11 – 17
Contact: Atma-Darshan/ SVD Fathers, Gyan Ashram Campus, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai-93. Ph: 2836 3120 / 2824 2419.
Inner Healing Retreat from February 9 - 12 at Retreat House, Bandra; Fees Rs. 1400/-; Contact Anthony Lobo 98198 49997; Eugenie 6500 1423; Odette 98201 42085; Audrey 98207 61532; Ralph 98333 98895; Zita 98333 84096; Fr Franklin 2521 2396.
