CATHOLIC LIFE - Catholic Diocese of Lucknow

CATHOLIC LIFE
(LUCKNOW DIOCESAN NEWS LETTER)
April May & June
VOL. 73, No. 5 - 6
Catholic Life – Vol. 73, No. 05 & 06, May & June 2015
PATRON
Rt. Rev. Bishop Gerald John Mathias
EDITORIAL BOARD
Rev. Fr. Paul Rodrigues (Editor)
Rev. Fr. Bipin Bilung
Rev. Fr. Marianus Horo
Dr. Denzil Godin
Ms. Shirley Simon
Contents
From the Editor's Desk.......
1
/kekZ/;{k dk lans'k
2
Bishop's Engagements
4
ckbfcy iz'uksRrjh
5
Life Ascending
Common Plants of the Bible
Year of Consecrated Life
News Corner
The Happiest Day in My Life
Birthdays to Remember, Ordination Anniversaries
and Death Anniversaries
Shepherd's Voice
7
9
11
13
23
24
Collections from April-2014 to March-2015
27
25
Yearly subscription rates : Rs. 120 (Excluding Postal Charges) (India)
Rs. 500 (Foreign countries) Subscriptions and donations are to be sent
in the name of "THE EDITOR-CATHOLIC LIFE", Navintha,
St. Francis' College Campus, Shahnajaf Road, Lucknow-226001
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK......
Jesus, having fulfilled his mission on earth tells his disciples “Go out to the
whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” Mt. 16:15. The Holy
Spirit descended on the apostles on the Pentecost Sunday and filled them with the
Spirit to go and preach to all the nations. During the earthly existence of Jesus, he
called his disciples to live with him. He also invited them to follow him, to imitate
him and to be in full communion with him. Without communion with Jesus, there is
neither apostolate nor participation in God’s Trinitarian life. The Eucharist is the
sacrament of communion with Jesus on earth – “He who eats my flesh and drinks
my blood abides in me and I in him.” Jn 14:55. Incorporation into Christ brings the
believers into relation with the Persons of the Trinity and at the same time, establishes
a new relationship with men. Every believer not only has an intrinsic relation of his
own to Christ, the head of the mystical body, but also an original function and
interrelation with the other members.
Multitude of men and women of every age, class, condition and race whose
communion with God is a wonderful secret between God and their soul and who let
the perfume of their humility and the flavor of their virtue. The savior is always
totally present in those who live in him: he provides for their every need, he is
everything for them, and he does not allow them to turn their eyes to any other
object or to seek anything out side of Him. It is he who offers them the bread of life
and what he offers is himself. He also is the one who enables us to walk and is our life,
as well as the place of rest and the goal. We are the members and he is the head.
To follow Christ is to choose him as the master who teaches us how to live. To
choose Jesus means to be with Him, to follow Him wherever he goes. It means to
bring one’s life into harmony with the very life of Jesus, to the point of carrying the
cross that he has carried. The Christian’s fundamental option is not a single choice
made solemnly in the past. The fundamental option is Christ centred and choosing
Jesus as the absolute good. The prayer that Jesus taught – “Our Father”, obliges
Christians to be in communion with each other and every human person, for all of them
are called to be sons and daughters in Christ. There is thus and intrinsic demand for
universal brotherhood under the merciful eyes of the Father. We live our personal
experience of following Jesus Christ together with that of other brothers and sisters.
The most important moments of Jeuss’ life are accompanied by prayer. He
prayed at his baptism, he prayed before calling he apostles, before transfiguration,
befor the sending of the Holy Spirit and many other times. Prayer enables the
incarnate word to remain with the Father, to be turned continually toward him and
wholly gathered in his bosom. Although he came to dwell in our midst, he never
distanced him from communion with the Father in prayer. Being with God does not
mean to withdraw from the brethren, but to be with them, with the very goodness,
mercy and compassion of the Father. By his prayer Jesus shows that he did not
merely preach and practice an ethical or social gospel, but also lived in the intense
spiritual life. In fact, life in Christ and the church offers not only enlightenment and
knowledge, but also the help and the strength we need to overcome the spiritual,
moral and physical limits of our unsaved, meaningless existence.
– Fr. Paul Rodrigues
1
/kekZ/;{k dk lans'k
[kzzhLr esa fiz; Hkkb;ksa o cguks]a
lefiZr thou dh laLFkkvksa vkSj izfs jfrd thou ds lekt
ds fy, oSfVdu esa tks foHkkx fu;r gS mlus lefiZr thou ds
o"kZ ds volj ij lalkj ds lHkh lefiZr uj&ukfj;ksa dks
lEcksf/kr djrs gq, ,d i= fy[kk gSA bl i= dk 'kh"kZd gS]
^^tkxrs jgks** (Keep Watch) vkSj ;g dkfMZuy tksvkvks czkt+
n voht+ ,oe~ bl foHkkx ds lfpo egk/kekZ/;{k tksl jksfMªxl
dkjckyks O.F.M. }kjk 8 flrEcj 2014 dks gLrk{kfjr fd;k
x;kA
85 i`"Bksa ds bl i= esa i`"Bksa ds vUr esa nh x;h 152
fVIif.k;k¡ gS ftuesa vk/kqfud lar firkvksa ds ys[kksa ls fy;s x;s
m)j.kksa dk ckgqY; gS] fo'ks"k :i ls orZeku larfirk Ýkafll ds ys[kksa lsA /keZxzUFk ds u;s vkSj
iqjkus fo/kku ls Hkh izpqj ek=k esa ys[kka'k m)r fd;s x;s gSAa
eS]a gekjs fpUru ds fy, bl i= ds dqN izHkko'kkyh va'kksa dk m)j.k nsuk pkgw¡xk D;ksfa d
bl o"kZ ge Hkh vius /keZizkUr esa lefiZr thou dk o"kZ euk jgs gSAa ;|fi ;g i= /keZl?a kh
L=h&iq#"kksa dks lEcksf/kr fd;k x;k gS ijUrq bldh fo"k;&oLrq iqjksfgrks]a /keZlfa ?k;ksa ,oe~
yksd/kehZ fo'okfl;ks]a lHkh ds fy, ykHknk;d gSA
lUrfirk Ýkafll ds vkea=.k dk vuqlj.k djrs gq, ;g i=] ^^tkxrs jgks**] gesa ^^[kzhLr
ds vuqHko dk jgL;** thus ds fy, izcksf/kr djrk gSA
^^;fn vki esa ls izR;sd nwljksa dks bZ'oj ds lkFk feykus dk ,d cgqeYw ; volj gS rks ;g
Hkh vko';d gS fd vki ml nkf;Ro dks iqu% [kkstdj Lohdkj djsa ftlds }kjk vkidks leqnk;
ds :i esa thou ds mnkÙk ewY;ksa dk lk{; nsuk gS ; vki ,d lkFk feydj fouezrk vkSj /kS;Z ds
lkFk ,slh vFkZi.w kZ vuqHkwfr vkSj foosd dh [kkst djsa tks ns'k vkSj dyhfl;k ds fy, ojnku fl)
gks vkSj vki lknxh ds lkFk bldk lk{; ns ldsA vki ifo= vkRek }kjk vuqcksf/kr NksVh ls
NksVh uohurk o ifjorZu dks xzg.k djus ds fy, lnSo rRij jgsAa bl izdkj vki dyhfl;kbZ
leqnk; dh lgk;rk dj ldsx
a s fd mldh n`f"V HkykbZ dh vksj yxh jgs vkSj vki lHkh yksxksa
rd igq¡pus ds u;s fuHkhZd ekxZ [kkstus esa lQy gksx
a As **
bruk dgus ds i'pkr~ lUr firk gesa dqN ,sls 'kCnksa esa psrkouh nsrs gSa tks gesa O;kdqy vkSj
v'kkUr dj ldrs gS%a ^^eq>s ;g tkudj cgqr d"V gksrk gS fd fdl izdkj dqN [kzhLrh; lenqk;]
;gk¡ rd dh lefiZr O;fDr Hkh] fofo/k izdkj dh 'k=qrk] HksnHkko] feF;kiokn] fuank] ekugkfu]
cSj vkSj bZ";kZ dks lgu dj ysrs gSa vkSj ;gh pkgrs gS fd gj dher ij dqN fopkj nwljksa ij
Fkksis tk ldsa pkgs ;g mRihM+u vkSj vR;kpkj ds leku gh gksA ;fn ge Lo;e~ gh ,slk vpj.k
djrs gS a rks ge lqlekpkj dk lan's k fdls lquk ldsx
a *s *\
;s 'kCn vo'; gh dBksj gS vkSj lar firk Hkh ml nq%[knk;h okLrfodrk ds vuqHko ds fcuk
2
;g lc ugha dg jgs gSa D;ksfa d ;g okLrfodrk mUgksua s Lo;a ns[kh gSA ge lHkh] O;fäxr :i
ls vkSj ,d leqnk; ds :i esa Hkh] viuh vkRek dks ij[k dj ns[ksa vkSj fQj ;g tkuus dk iz;kl
djsa fd tks dqN lUr firk us dgk gS D;k og esjs O;fäxr vkSj lkeqnkf;d thou dh
okLrfodrk gSA ;g ,slk gS rks lefiZr thou dk ;g o"kZ vuqxzg dk og volj gS tc ge viuk
uohdj.k djds oSls gh cu ldsa tSlk gesa gksuk pkfg,A
bl i= esa mldk m)j.k Hkh fn;k x;k gS tgk¡ lUr firk us /kkfeZd leqnk;ksa ds egRo
dh ppkZ dh gSA ^^leqnk; gh leLr izfs jfrd lsok dks lgkjk nsrs gSAa dHkh&dHkh /kkfeZd leqnk;ksa
esa ruko O;kIr gks tkrk gS vkSj ;g [krjk Hkh cuk jgrk gS fd os vR;kf/kd O;fäijd gks dj
fc[kj tk;s]a tcfd vko';drk gS xgjh lgHkkfxrk vkSj lPps lEcU/kksa dhA lqlekpkj dh ln;
vkSj ekuoh; 'kfä ogk¡ ns[kh tkrh gS tgk¡ leqnk;ksa esa ezkr`Ro dh Hkkouk gks vkSj bl Hkkouk dh
l`f"V ogk¡ gksrh gS tgk¡ lc dk Lokxr gks] tgk¡ vknj] ikjLifjd lg;ksx] d`ik] {kek o vkuUn
gks vkSj tgk¡ yksx ,d&nwljs dks le> ldsAa **
izLrqr i= esa lefiZr thou esa izkFkZuk ds egRo dks Hkh js[kkafdr fd;k x;k gSA gels vk'kk
dh tkrh gS fd ge izkFkZuk ds fo"k; esa lrdZ gks]a vkSj lalkj ds fy, vuqu;&fou; djrs jgsAa
i= esa dgk x;k gS% ^^orZeku le; esa lefiZr thou ls ;g ek¡x dh tkrh gS fd og viuh
e/;LFk izkFkZuk esa fo'ks"k izcyrk o rhozrk dks viuk;sA bl izkFkZuke;h eqnzk vkSj eu% fLFkfr esa
og leLr ekuork ds fy, fuosnu djsAa lefiZr thou lEiw.kZ ekuo tkfr dh vksj ls Lo;a dks
,d Hkkoiw.kZ vkokt+ esa ifjofrZr dj ns ------- tc os lkFk cSB dj izkFkZuk djrs gSa rks lefiZr
uj&ukjh vdsys ugha gksr]s ;s os uj&ukjh gSa tks lgHkkfxrk esa thrs gS]a tks bZ'oj ds opu dks
fey&ck¡V dj lqurs gS]a tks u;s fpUgksa vkSj vfHkizk;ksa dks vfHkO;ä dj ldrs gS]a ,sls fpUg tks
vR;kpkjksa vkSj 'kgknr ds le; ds nkSjku Hkh curs vkSj izdV gksrs gSAa **
lefiZr thou dk ;g o"kZ ge lHkh ds fy, ,d mi;qä volj gks tc ge ewY;kadu dj
lds]a uohuhdj.k dh vksj mUeq[k gksa vkSj vk/;kfRed fodkl o ifjiDork dh vksj viuh ;k=k
tkjh j[k ldsAa eSa vki lHkh ds fy, ,d ykHkizn o"kZ dh dkeuk djrk gw¡A
ln~Hkkoukvksa lfgr [kzhLr esa vkidk
+ tsjkYM tkWu eFkk;l
/kekZ/;{k y[kuÅ
MAY
General Intention : That, rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care
for our neighbours who suffer, especially the sick and the poor.
Missionary Intention : That Mary's intercession may help Christians in
secularized cultures be ready to proclaim Jesus.
3
BISHOP'S ENGAGEMENTS
MAY 2015
1st
Fri
6.00
a.m.
8.00
a.m.
3rd
Sun
10.30
a.m.
4th
Mon
10.00
a.m.
7th
Thur
5.00
p.m.
10th Sun
8.00
a.m.
11th Mon
12th Tue
13th Wed
7.00
9.00
6.00
p.m.
a.m.
a.m.
16th Sat
9.00
a.m.
17th Sun
10.30
a.m.
24th Sun
7.30
a.m.
31st Sun
6.00
p.m.
Celebrates Holy Eucharist in St. Joseph’s Convent,
Gomtinagar.
Visit to St. Francis School, Gomtinagar Extension,
Lucknow.
Parish Feast: Pastoral Visit to St. Mark’s Church,
Thakurganj, Lucknow.
Diocesan Priests’ Council Meeting, Bishop’s House,
Lucknow.
Diocesan Building Committee Meeting, Bishop’s
House, Luknow.
Celebrates Holy Eucharist at Good Shepherd’s
Church, Gosaiganj.
Diocesan Clergy Recollection.
Diocesan Clergy Recollection.
Celebrates Holy Eucharist at Fatima Hospital,
Mahanagar, Lucknow.
Meeting with Special Committee of A.C.E.I of U.P
& U.K. Bishop’s House, Lucknow.
Celebrates Mass at Inauguration of Diocesan Youth
Summer Camp. St. Paul’s Church, Dilkusha.
Pentecost Sunday: Celebrates Holy Eucharist at St.
Joseph’s Cathedral, Lucknow.
Trinity Sunday: Celebrates Holy Eucharist at St.
Joseph’s Cathedral, Lucknow.
JUNE 2015
7
th
Sun
8th
15th Mon
21st Sun
11.00
a.m.
10.00
a.m.
23rd Tue
a.m.
26th Fri
29th Mon
p.m.
a.m.
9.00
Parish Feast: Celebrates Holy Eucharist at St.
Norbert’s Church, Bahraich
On Leave
Returns to Lucknow
Celebrates Holy Eucharist at St. Aloysius Church,
Bangarmau.
Leaves for Hyderabad for Meeting of United
Christian Prayer for India.
Returns to Lucknow.
Seminar on Child Protection Policy for Principals &
Vice-Principals at St. Francis College, Lucknow.
4
ckbfcy iz'uksÙkjh
fuxZeu xzUFk
44- ikLdk D;k gSa\
feflz;ksa ds lHkh igykSBksa dks ekj Mkyus ds fy, tc bZ'oj us felz dk ifjHkze.k fd;k] rks
og blzk,fy;ksa ds ?kjksa ds lkeus ls gksdj vkxs c<+kA
45- ewlk ds lkFk fdrus yksxksa us felz ls izLFkku fd;k\
Ng yk[kA
46- mUgksaus dgk¡ ls izLFkku fd;k\
jkelslA
47- felz esa blzk,yh fdrus o"kZ rd jgs\
pkj lkS rhl o"kZ
48- blzk,yh ;wlqQ+ dh gfM~M;k¡ vius lkFk D;ksa ys vk;s\
D;ksfa d ;wlQ
w us mudks ;g 'kiFk fnyk;h Fkh fd tc bZ'oj mudh lgk;rk djus vk;sxk]
rc rqe ;gk¡ ls esjh gfM~M;k¡ lkFk ys tkvksxAs
49- bZ'oj us blzk,fy;ksa dks jkLrk fdl rjg fn[kk;k\
fnu esa mUgsa jkLrk fn[kkus ds fy,] ckny ds [kEHks ds :i esa vkSj jkr esa mUgsa izdk'k nsus
ds fy, vfXu&LraHk ds :i esa muds vkxs&vkxs pyrk FkkA
50- blzk,fy;ksa us yky lkxj dks dSls ikj fd;k\
ewlk us viuk M.Mk mBkdj lkxj ds Åij viuk gkFk c<+k;k vkSj lkxj nks Hkkxksa esa c¡Vdj
chp esa lw[k x;kA
51- tks felzh lSfud mudk ihNk dj jgs Fks] mudh D;k n'kk gqbZ\
tSls gh fQjkmu dh lkjh lsuk ds jFk rFkk ?kqMl
+ okj yky lkxj dh lw[kh rg esa ?kql]s oSls
gh ikuh ,d nhokj cu dj Bgj x;k vkSj os lc ds lc ykSVus okys ikuh esa Mwc dj ej
x;sA
52- blzk,fy;ksa us ,yhe ij viuk iM+ko D;ksa Mkyk\
D;ksfa d ogk¡ ikuh ds ckjg lksrs vkSj [ktwj ds lRrj o`{k FksA
53- bZ'oj us blzk,fy;ksa dks D;k Hkkstu f[kyk;k\
eUukA
54- D;k lkaros fnu mUgsa ;g Hkkstu feyk\
th ughaA
55- e#Hkwfe esa blzk,yh fdrus o"kksZa rd eUuk [kkrs jgs\
pkyhl o"kksZa rdA
5
56- ewlk vkSj ejhck ij D;k ?kVuk ?kVh\
ewlk us gksjcs dh pV~Vku ij vius M.Ms ls izgkj fd;k vkSj ml ls ikuh QwV fudykA
57- vekysfd;ksa ds fo#) fdlus ;q) fd;k\
;ks'kqvk vkSj mlds pqus gq, yksxksa usA
58- f;=ksa us ewlk dks D;k ijke'kZ fn;k Fkk\
mlus mldks ;ksX; rFkk fo'oklik= O;fDr;ksa dks fu;qDr djus dk ijke'kZ fn;k Fkk rkfd
yksxksa dk U;k; djus esa os ewlk dh lgk;rk dj ldsAa
59- os lhubZ dh e#Hkwfe ij dc igqaps\
felz ns'k us fudyus ds Bhd rhu eghus cknA
60- bZ'oj dc lhubZ ioZr dh pksVh ij mrjk\
rhljs fnuA
61- bZ'oj fdl :i esa lhubZ ioZr ij mrjk\
,d vfXu ds :i esa
62- bZ'oj us ewlk dks D;k fn;k\
fof/k;ksa ,oa vkKkvksa dh ikfV;k¡A
63- tc ewlk us bZ'oj ls mu lHkh fu;eksa dks lquk] rks mlus D;k fd;k\
og mUgsa fy[krs x;sA
64- bZ'oj us mu yksxksa esa fdldks viuk ;ktd cuus ds fy, cqyk;k\
gk#u vkSj mlds iq=ksa dksA
65- iRFkj dh ikfV;ksa ij bZ'oj us viuh vkKk,¡ dSls vafdr dh\
Lo;a vius gkFkksa lsA
66- tc yksxksa us ns[kk fd ioZr ij ls mrjus esa ewlk nsj dj jgk gS] rks mUgksaus D;k
fd;k\
mUgksua s lksus ds cNM+s dh ,d izfrek cuk;h vkSj mldh vkjk/kuk dhA
67- bl iki ds fy, fdrus yksxksa dh gR;k gqbZ\
rhu gt+kjA
68- bZ'oj us fdl fnu ?kjksa esa vkx ugha tykus dk vkns'k fn;k\
lkrosa fnuA
69- tc ewlk yksxksa dks lEcksf/kr djrk Fkk] rks og viuk eq[k insZ ls D;ksa <+d ysrk
Fkk\
D;ksfa d mlds eq[ke.My ij bZ'oj dh nsnhI;eku T;ksfr pedrh FkhA
6
LIFE ASCENDING
-The Senior Citizen PageMs Maria Henriques and Ms Deep Bunch interview Mr & Mrs Nicolas
Karketta, (86 years ) one of the oldest couples of St.Dominic Savio Church,
Indiranagar, Lucknow - for the CATHOLIC LIFE.
Q.
R.
Since when have you been the parishioners of this church?
Since June 1980 – St.Dominic Savio Church was inaugurated in the year
1979 and our Parish Priest was Fr. Alphonsus Lobo.
Q.
R.
Tell us something about yourselves.
We both worked with the BSNL and were of Holy Redeemer church earlier.
We have 3 children – all living away from us, well settled in jobs and we have
brought them up well in the catholic faith with family rosary and prayers said
together – going to church every Sunday and now enjoying a happy retired
life and enjoy looking after our grand children.
Q.
Inspite of bringing up your children in a God fearing way, did any of
your children get an inclination towards vocation – call from God to join
the religious life?
No. That is because, just Sunday catechism is not enough for a child to know
about vocation. Nowadays there are no catechist appointed who can identify
children with such a call and pay more attention to their faith in the Lord and
through nuns or priests get to counsel them accordingly and send them for
training. Parents only see that they are faithful in attending Sunday mass
regularly and after their schooling is over, tell them to look for a good job and
thereafter get them married. At times we ourselves are not able to make out
whether the child is inclined to entering the religious life or not.
R.
7
Q.
R.
What do you have to say about S.C.C. meets in your area?
It is definitely good – as we come to know more of our Christian families
living close to us – know more about the Bible reading – meditating and sharing
with each other about what we feel our Lord has spoken to us. We are coming
out of our shyness also.
Q.
Uncle – Aunty are you celebrating your Golden jubilee marriage this
year?
No dear - we completed ours number of years back i.e. we were married in
the year 1959.
R.
Thank you and God bless you both..
– Maria Henriques and Deep Bunch
St. Dominic Savio Parish
LOVE YOURSELF FIRST-IF YOU WISH TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR!
Most of us have grown up with some version of the Golden Rule that includes
doing unto others as you would have them do to you and loving your neighbor as yourself.
Most of us think of the rule as encouraging us to be kinder to others. Such
thinking is completely backward. We already do love our neighbors as ourselves.
The problem is that most of us have never learned to love ourselves and to see
ourselves as a source of love.
We can never really accept or love anyone else until we learn to accept and
love ourselves. Even our soulmates, spouses and children – we are only able to
love them and receive their love for us in the same measure as we love ourselves.
How do you love yourself? By letting go of self-judgment and criticism. By
acknowledging feelings of failure and insufficiency and then letting them go and
replacing them with self-affirming thoughts like, “I am doing the best that I can
today, and that is enough for today.”
Once I understand that I love my neighbor by loving myself, I realize that I am
not just a receiver of love. I am a creator. I have my own light and my own love
inside me. I don’t need to wait for someone else to love me first. I can choose to
love everyone and everything around me.
I must consciously choose to generate love, regardless of the circumstances
around me in order that love radiates, and I begin to see its reflection in others and
all around me. My love grows and multiplies as long as I continue loving myself, my
neighbours and my surroundings. This ensures that I am always surrounded by love
helping the growth of others who surround me creating a healthy environment.
In this manner, I am empowered to choose kindness and gratitude and service
for myself if I intend to love my neighbour unconditionally.
– Staff Reporter
8
COMMON PLANTS OF THE BIBLE
Song of Solomon 4:12 - 4:15
12
A garden enclosed [is] my sister, [my] spouse; a spring shut up, a
fountain sealed.
13
Thy plants [are] an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits;
camphire, with spikenard,
14
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of
frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
15
A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon
1. Aloe (Aloe sps.): Proverbs 7:17 The Aloe vera plant has been used for
thousands of years to heal a variety of conditions, most notably burns, wounds, skin
irritations, and constipation. Aloe was also used to embalm the dead, as well as for
perfume. Today, aloe is used in many ways including treating burns, sunburns, healing
bruises and rashes, moisturize skin, fight athletes foot, prevent scarring and stretch
marks, speed up hair growth, and many more. Hindi=mussaber or gheekwar
2. Anise: (Pimpinella anisum) Exodus 30:34 All parts of the anise plant
were used during Biblical times. The seeds, leaves and stem were used to cool high
temperatures, as well as for other medicinal purposes. Today, Anise can be used to
help with digestion and can be used as an anti-flatulence agent, a relief aid for
coughs and colds and also can help with insomnia. Usually taken by crushing the
seeds into a tea. Hindi= saunf
3. Cassia: (Cinnamomum iners) Exodus 30, Psalm 45:8, Job 42:14.
Cassia oil was popularly used as anointing oil during Biblical times. Cassia has
aromatic properties quite similar to cinnamon. Today, Cassia can be used as natural
hair care, coloring and conditioning. The leaves are harvested, dried, and ground
into a powder used for natural hair care. Hindi= dalchini
4. Cinnamon: (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Proverbs 7:17 Cinnamon, once
considered more precious than gold, has some amazing medicinal benefits. The
bark, where the oil comes from, was traditionally collected for anointing oil, as well
as perfume.Today, cinnamon can be used for athlete’s foot, indigestion, improve
brain function, helps lower blood glucose levels, among many others. Hindi= dalchini
5. Cumin: (Cumimum cyminum) Isaiah 28:27 The ancient Israelites took
cumin seeds, dried them, and used them to flavor their food. Today, cumin can help
with digestion, cardiovascular disease, urinary disorders, and fever. Hindi=jeera/
Vilayti jeera
6. Frankincense: (Boswellia thurifera) Matthew 2:10, 11 Most popularly
known for incense, Frankincense was used during ceremonial offerings and
considered an article of luxury. Today, it can be used as an analgesic, antidepressant
9
and sedative, in addition to being a powerful healing herb. Frankincense is also a
primary ingredient in stress-reducing incenses. Hindi=lahsun
7. Garlic: (Allium sativum) Numbers 11:5 Garlic has been used as both
food and medicine in many cultures for thousands of years, dating back to when the
Egyptian pyramids were built. Today, garlic is used to help prevent heart disease,
including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries (plaque buildup in the arteries
that can block the flow of blood and may lead to heart attack or stroke), high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, and to boost the immune system. Garlic may also
help protect against cancer. Hindi=lahsun
8. Hyssop: (Hyssopus officinalis) Leviticus 14:52 Hyssop is a sweet
smelling plant from the mint family. It was used in many ceremonial rituals of the
Israelites, as burning hyssop typically meant an inner cleansing. Hindi=kathinger
9. Mint: (Ocimum basilicum or Mentha piperata) Matthew 23:23 Mint
has been used for thousands of years as a culinary herb and for medicine. The
people of India consecrated basil to the Hindu god Vishnu, whose wife, Tulasi (or
Tulsi), became basil when she visited earth. When someone dies, Hindus will still
bathe the head in basil water and place a basil leaf over the heart.Today, mint can
help with stomach aches, poor digestion, fever, hiccups, ear aches and sinuses.
Hindi=Taksal / pudina/Tulasi
10. Mustard: (Brassica juncea or B. nigra) Matthew 13:31 One of Jesus’
most famous parables was about the mustard seed. This may be because mustard
grew so abundantly in Palestine. Today, mustard can be used for soar throats, muscle
and back relaxing, and as a hair conditioner to treat damaged hair. Hindi=sarson/
rai
11. Myrrh: (Commiphora abyssinica Engl.) John 19.39, Song of Solomon
4:6 In Biblical times, it was sold as a spice or an ingredient of the anointing oil used
in the Tabernacle, or as a salve for the purification of the dead. In the Roman
world, it was considered a natural remedy for almost every human affliction, from
earaches to hemorrhoids. Today, myrrh can be used as a cleansing agent, and to
help with ulcerated throats and mouth sores. Hindi=lobaan
12. Saffron: (Crocus sativus ) Song of Solomon 4.14 Blue flower Cultivated
in Kashmir. The most expensive spice in the world today was also very dear during
ancient times. Because of its distinct yellow color, saffron was used not only for
flavoring but to make ancient dyes as well. Ancient peoples used saffron to treat
stomach upsets, bubonic plague, and smallpox. Today, recent studies have indicated
possible health benefits, including cancer-inhibiting properties, aiding in allergies,
help combat depression, and promote a feeling of fullness (in terms of diet).
Hindi=zaffran
-Dr. Denzil J Godin
10
YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
The Church celebrates a 'Year of Consecrated Life' in 2015 to mark two key
anniversaries and to evangelize the vocation. The three objectives were outlined by
Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of consecrated
life and Societies of Apostolic life. First of all the year dedicated to Consecrated
life has been prepared in the context of the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican
and more specially on the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Conciliar decree
in the renewal of consecrated life-Perfectae Caritas decree on the renewal of life.
Consecrated souls as well as lay persons are invited to exercise their lives
through the Gospel teaching 'Prophetic role and Hope' filled joy. Through this life
consecrated to God service, characterized by public profession of the evangelical
councils of poverty, chastity and obedience in a stable state of life recognized by
the Church. It covers the secular institute of Consecrated life in which the Christian
faithful living in the world strive for perfection of charity and work for the
sanctification of the world. The aim of the year of the consecrated life is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Renewal for men and women consecrated to religious life.
Thanksgiving among the faithful for the services of Sisters, Brothers, Priests
Invitation to young catholics to consider a religious vocation
To provide help to religious at time in the church
To remember the Jubilees
The Pope revealed the consecrated members as to who can really awaken
the world.
The consecrated are the one's who can fly the nest and go to the frontiers
avoiding the temptation to domesticate a way of imitating the Lord.
According to Mark's Gospel (3 : 14) the consecrated life started when Jesus
called those who wanted to be with Him and to be sent out. To be with Him has the
primacy in the call to consecrated life. Following Jesus is sharing his life style.
They were simply called as collaborators.
There are many challenges to the consecrated life which the church has to
fight against
1.
2.
3.
falling numbers.
quality of the new entrants
growing number of senior citizens in our communities.
In conclusion, the religious have an important place in today's church. Once
they discover their true identity and are rooted in Jesus, the Religious can contribute
much to the church through their prophetic charism of caring for the needy thus
become the living presence of the compassionate Jesus.
Education is our Mission, charism is experiencing God's love, sharing it with
11
others through education and other works of mercy. Education is a process by
which a child makes sense of the world around her by observing, understanding and
interacting with it, there by transforming it. Learning is therefore dynamic process,
the child learns by seeing and handling. It is called the process method. A religious
teacher with a mission at heart will have much influence over her teaching than any
other person, without any feeling specially those who have mercenary interest. She
accepts the job with an eye on 'how much she is getting, where as a missionary
accepts the job because she has souls to save, that makes all the difference. A
religious touches the seat of emotions and it evokes quick response from the child.
Of course there are exceptions. A secular teacher also can have a hold on the
feelings of the child. All that matters is that a teacher should have a heart which,
when touched, opens to the soft touch of motherly love. No one has realized the
wealth of the sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child.
The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure. It is important
that education serves the bigger and higher purpose of a joyful and meaningful life,
a life that is emotionally secure, a life of self fulfillment, of well-being and harmony.
And this can happen only if the educational experience is connected to real life. It
is about the education of the child for life through life.
– Sr. Maris Stella A.C.
Carmel Convent, Mahanagar.
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!
The Editor of the “Catholic Life” invites news, articles, interviews
and poems from priests, religious and lay persons. Send your
contribution preferably by email before the 20th of the month to:
Rev. Fr. Paul Rodrigues
Education Directorate
(Opp. St. Francis College)
Shahnajaf Road, Lucknow – 226 001
Email: cathedudirelko@hotmail.com
JUNE
General Intention : That immigrants and refugees may find welcome and
respect in the countries to which they come.
Missionary Intention : That the personal encounter with Jesus may arouse
in many young people the desire to offer their own lives in priesthood or
consecrated life.
12
NEWS CORNER
First Profession of the U.M.I Novices at Anugrah, Kalli, Lucknow.
The atmosphere surrounding the Ursuline Novitiate at Kalli was serene and solemn
as it witnessed the First profession of five of our Novices on 9th April 2015. They
responded to the call of Jesus in total self surrender with a firm determination to
live deeper in God and closer to people by pronouncing their vows and receiving the
religious habit. These five chosen gems are from the state of U.P, Assam, Orissa
and Punjab. The relatives and parents who arrived from their families witnessed
these blissful moments with awe. The spirit of the ceremony arose a spiritual
awakening in the hearts of all who graced the occasion. The main celebrant of this
spiritual banquet was Rt. Rev. Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of Lucknow. Quoting
Pope Francis Bishop reminded the newly professed in his homily the need to be
joyful religious thanking God for the past, living the present with passion and looking
forward to the future with hope. As the theme of the profession liturgy was
‘Consecrated to be the bearers of the Spirit’ he stressed the point that we need to
be led by the Spirit. He further said that it is a great privilege to make their profession
this year as this year is dedicated to the consecrated people.
After the Eucharistic celebration Sr. Joythi Masih the newly professed thanked
everyone present especially Bishop Gerald John Mathias, Sr. Rupa and Sr. Rittie
the Provincial Superiors, the formators and sisters for making their day an ever
memorable one. She also thanked the gracious presence of their parents, relatives,
teachers, fathers, sisters, and friends for their presence, prayers and good wishes.
The melodious singing added solemnity to this profound occasion. The celebration
culminated with felicitation of the newly professed and a sumptuous meal.
– Sr. Merine Jose UMI
13
Confirmation of children at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Lucknow : On
Sunday the 19th of April 2015, thirty five children of the parish were Confirmed by
Rt. Rev. Dr. Gerald J. Mathias, Bishop of Lucknow at a well attended Eucharistic
Service at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Lucknow.
The children had earlier been prepared by Sr. Sunita Bunch FHIC and Sr.
Kamla MC who took them for regular catechism and enlighten them about their
responsibilities as 'Soldiers of God'.
– Staff Reporter
Farewell to Sr. Sunita Bunch and Sr. Cosu : All great men and women
leave their footprints on the sands of time. Sr. Bunch joined as the Superior of her
Convent and as Head Mistress of Cathedral Senior Secondary School at Lucknow
where together with Sr. Cosu, Head Mistress of the Primary Section of Cathedral
Senior Secondary School made an indelible impact on the students and people of Lucknow.
14
Both dutifully served their tenures with love, care and compassion. During
their tenure in Lucknow both sisters served the parish visiting Homes, attending
various meetings, organising the choir, conducting prayer meetings and winning the
hearts of the laity, priests and Religious. Bishop Gerald J. Mathias present bouquets
to both of them on 19/4/15 after the Eucharistic Service as a token of appreciation
for their service in the diocese of Lucknow.
Catholic Life wishes Sr. Bunch and Sr. Cosu the best as they join their new
places of work to serve God’s people. Good luck and God bless both of you!
– Staff Reporter
y?kq [kzhLrh; leqnk; dk bZLVj feyu % fnuakd 10 vizSy 2015 dks y?kq [kzhLrh;
leqnk; ds lnL;ksa }kjk bZLVj feyu dk vk;kstu lar Ýkafll dkyst gky esa fd;k x;kA pwfa d
blh fnol dks J)s; Qknj MksukYM fMlwtk dk tUe fnol o J)s; Qknj ujs'k ykscks dk 21oka
iqjksfgrkfHk"ksd Hkh FkkA vr% ;g Hkh lkFk esa euk;k x;kA dk;ZØe dk vkjaHk besuqvy eSlh ds
usr`Ro esa leqnk; ds lnL;ksa }kjk Hktu xkdj fd;k x;kA rnksijkUr Qknj MksykUM us lHkh dks
bZLVj ds egRo ds ckjs esa crk;kA fQj nksuks Qknj us feydj dsd dkVk vkSj lHkh mifLFkr yksxksa
dks forfjr fd;k x;kA Jherh lhek eSF;wl us leqnk; dh vksj ls Qknj MksukYM dks 'kky o
,l0ih0 nkl lfpo y?kq [kzhLrh; leqnk; us iq"Ik&xqPN o migkj HksVa fd;kA Jh jQk;y
,uFkksuh us ,d Lekfjdk Qknj dks HksVa dhA Qknj ujs'k ykscks dks Hkh leqnk; dh vksj ls
iq"Ik&xqPNksa }kjk lEekfur fd;k x;kA
euksjt
a d [ksyksa ds ckn izhrhHkkst ds lkFk dk;ZØe dk lekiu gqvkA lHkh mifLFkr yksxksa
us tks fd y?kq [kzhLrh; leqnk; ds vuqizk.knkrk o muds ifjokj okys ek= Fks bl dk;ZØe dks
ljkgk rFkk Hkfo"; esa Hkh ,sls dk;ZØe dks vk;ksftr djus dh is'kd'k dhA
& ,Mks0 ,l0ih0 nkl
/keZizkUrh; lfpo y?kq [kzhLrh; leqnk;
15
Protest Rally held on 23rd April, 2015 at Gandhi Park, GPO against the
atrocities on the Christian Community : India is a Secular country ensuring the
Right to Religion for all its citizens to practice and propagate their religion peacefully.
In recent times it has been observed that a number of atrocities have been carried
out against the Christian Community.Vandalising St. Mary’s Church, Agra on 16th.
April. On14th. March the rape and assault of an elderly nun in West Bengal. The
burning of St. Sebastian Church in New Delhi in December last year. These incidents
have instilled a sense of insecurity and fear in the Christian Community. We feel
denied of our basic security and the time has come to raise our voice in the wake of
such incidents to the Central and State Government to take cognizance of the situation
and assure the community of safety and continuation of fearless propagation.
The UP Masihi Association met and decided to declare 23rd April, 2015, as a
Protest Day, against the atrocities on the Christian Community. Since 21st April, a
black Flex demonstrating the protest was put up on the buildings of all Christian
Institutions, hospitals and Churches. On 18th. April a delegation of priests, nuns
and representation of people from Agra and Lucknow met the Samajwadi Chief
Mulayam Singh Yadav, who assured them security of all the Churches and Institutions
on consulting the DGP, UP.
The Christian Community of Uttar Pradesh expressed their solidarity and over
3, 000, people gathered at the venue to partake in the protest. On this day all
missionary hospitals and schools remained closed. The Protest began at 10.00a.m.
The time slot of 50 minutes was divided amongst five main churches of Lucknow
viz; Methodist Church, Church of North India, Roman Catholic Church, Assembly
of Believers and Assembly of God Church. The Dharna started with an opening
16
address by Mr. R.K.Chattree. Bishop Phillip Masih, Bishop Gerald John Mathias,
Bishop Augustus Anthony also addressed the congregation. Religious leaders of
other faiths like Maulana Rashid, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad and Gyanji were also
present to express their solidarity. The message of each of the leaders was
condemnation of attacks on the community. We are known for tolerance and none
should underestimate the power of silence.
The leaders also drew attention towards the contribution of the community in
the field of social work, medical health and education, not forgetting the selfless
service of Mother Teresa and the Missionary of Charity Sisters. Despite the service
rendered to the society it is painful and distressing to see the atrocities and acts of
vandalism especially on churches. The community has been sincerely contributing
as nation builders and will continue to do so; we strongly believe that the government
will uphold our freedom to follow our religion. Amongst the chief members of the
Christian Community present at the venue were Dr. David Charles, Dr. Herbert
Abel. Fr. Donald De Souza, Fr. Denis Naresh Lobo, Mr.Peter Fanthome Mr. Michael
Paul and Mr. Lyall.
People carried banners, posters and placards with strong messages. There
were no slogans or harsh comments but only songs and messages. The congregation
was fully involved in the protest as they eagerly listened to speeches and clapped to
the rhythm of the hymns.
The time has come for the Central and State Government to take this matter
seriously and assure the community of safety. As the pattern of these attacks was
carried out in a set manner the authorities should not take these grievances lightly
but act appropriately to bring the culprits to the fore and administer the right
punishment ensuring justice to us.
The Association’ on the concluding handed over a memorandum addressed to
the Governor Mr. Ram Naik, the Chief Minister Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, and the Prime
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and to the district administration official.DGP; A.K.
Jain also visited the GPO and ensured all possible action to nab the culprits who
vandalized the church in Agra.
May peace, justice and harmony prevail in the society.
– Mrs. Christine Dacosta,
St. Francis’ College, Lucknow.
ofj"B iYyhokfl;ksa dh v/;kfRed lk/kuk % fnukad 21 ekpZ 2015 dks lar fQnsfyl
iYyh esa ofj"B iYyhokfl;ksa ds fy, v/;kfRed lk/kuk dk vk;kstu lar foUlsUV Mh ikSy
lkslkbZVh ds lnL;ksa }kjk vk;ksftr fd;k x;kA ifYyokfl;ksa dks okgu }kjk muds ?kjksa ls yk;k
x;k vkSj lEekfur fd;k x;kA bl volj ij J)s; Qknj ,yQksull ykscks us LoLFk rFkk
toku cus jgus ds jgL; ij ls inkZ gVkrs gq, dgk fd izHkq ;slq ds ftruk T;knk lfu) esa ge
jgsxas mruk gh gekjk thou 'kq) o lQy gksxkA bl volj ij iYyh iqjksfgr Qknj dqynhi
17
ckDlyk us Hkh ofj"B yksxksa dks bZ'oj ij vkLFkk j[kus rFkk izkFkZuke; thou dks viukus ij tksj
fn;kA ikLdk ioZ ds vkxeu ds volj ij iki Lohdkj rFkk ijeizlkn dk Hkh vk;kstu fd;k
x;kA vUr esa lHkh mifLFkr yksxksa us lkFk esa pk; uk'rk dj ds vius ?kjksa dks izLFkku fd;kA
& ,Mks0 ,l0ih0 nkl] lar fQnsfyl iYyh
Meeting of National Council for SCC’s: Meeting of the 4th National Council
for SCC’s was held from 10th March to 19th March 2015 at PAC Nagpur. 15 Regions
comprising of Kerala Kerala (Syro Malabar), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra,
Western, MP, Delhi, Agra, Bihar, W.B., N.E., Bijan, Chattisgarh and Orissa
participated. The participants included 9 Bishops, 20 Priests, 9 sisters and 14 lay
representatives. Agra region was represented by Bishop Gerald John Mathias,
Bishop Ignatius D’ Souza, Fr. Faustine Pinto and Adv. S. P. Das. The meeting
began with the inaugural Eucharist by most Rev. Ignatius Mascarenhas followed
by enthronement of Bible and lighting of lamp. Rev. Fr. Vijay Thomas National
Secretary delivered the welcome address and welcomed all the participants.The
main focus of the meeting was 6 papers on:1. God’s plan for marriage and family.
2. Relationship and Responsibilities in families.
3. Family spirituality
4. Upbringing children in the Christian faith
5. Problems in marriage and family
6. SCC’s evangelize families
Northern Region, (Agra and Delhi) discussed the 3rd topic and derived the
following important points to be the followed in region:(a) Awareness about marriage courses and its enrichment
(b) Adult Catechism through SCCs.
(c) Compulsory Pastoral family visits.
(d) Encouraging people to practice and live Word of God.
(e) Parents to be role model to their children.
(f) Good counseling centers.
(g) Awareness to priests and religious on the needs of SCCs in parishes.
On the concluding day Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Dabre Chairman SCC delivered
his paper on Small Christian Communities for renewal of family life which was
highly acclaimed by all present. The community also facilitated Rev. Fr. Vijay Thomas
and Rev. Fr. Joe Dias on their successfully completing Ph.D. and obtaining title of
Dr. Also some birthdays that fell during the period was enthusiastically
celebrated.The best experience of the meeting was celebration of Holy Mass by
Bishops and priest in community member’s family and sharing community supper.
This new beginning was highly applauded by one and all. The second edition of
DIIPA Introductory Workshop Text was released and the meeting came to an end
18
with Holy Eucharist presided by most Rev. Abraham Viruthakulangara, Archbishop
of Nagpur.
– Adv. S. P. Das
Secretary, SCC
Pope: Be Not Be Afraid to Invite Mary, Jesus to the Marriage 'Feast'
VATICAN CITY, April 29, 2015 (Zenit.org) - Pope Francis has acknowledged the
crisis of marriage in many societies and said Christians can counter this if they
start to trust again that Jesus grants grace to married couples. The Pope made this
observation speaking to the crowds during his weekly General Audience this morning
in St. Peter's Square while continuing his catechesis on marriage and family.
“Let us not be afraid to invite Jesus and Mary to the marriage feast,” the
Pope said, “for Christian spouses marry not only for themselves, but for the good of
the community and for all of society.” “Today, society is confronted with fewer
marriages," he said, noting, “In many countries, separation of couples is increasing,
while the number of children is decreasing.”
These broken marriage bonds, the 78-year-old Pope noted, affect the young
most of all, "as they come to view marriage as something temporary." Perhaps, he
went on to say, "there is a fear of failure which prevents men and women from
trusting inChrist’s promise of grace in marriage and in the family.” In truth, he said,
"we know that almost every man and woman desires a secure and lasting relationship,
a stable marriage and a happy family.”
Given this, he pointed out that the most effective witness to the blessing of
marriage "is the good life of Christian spouses and their families,” God's consecrating
of the married couple's love, he stressed, is the 'font' of their peace and fidelity. "To
make these blessings more evident to the world," the Pope stressed that "the equality
enjoyed by the spouses must produce new fruit," such as: "equal opportunities in the
workplace; a new valuing of motherhood and fatherhood" and "a greater appreciation
for the openness of families to those most in need.”
The Holy Father continued discussing how inequality must be addressed.
Specifically, he called for the right to equal retribution for equal work, stressing,
"disparity is a pure scandal.” Nowadays, especially in situations of poverty,
degradation and domestic violence, the Pope said, we must demand fairness in
these situations, and, in order to benefit the families and children, recognize that the
maternity of women and paternity of men are "perennially valid treasures."
Bishop in Nepal Describes ‘Very, Very Frightening Scene’ : ROME,
April 28, 2015 . Nepal’s one Catholic bishop has given a graphic account of the
country’s catastrophic April 27 earthquake—describing how he was lucky to survive.
In a message to international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need,
Bishop Paul Simick of Kathmandu, said he “saw houses falling like a pack of cards,”
and that people “were running in all directions to save their lives. “It was a very,
very frightening scene.” The bishop added: “I myself had to literally run to save my
19
life.” He continued: “Repeated aftershocks—just now there was one [and] I had to
run away from my office—have made people frightened so they have left their
houses and pitched tarpaulin tents on the streets and open fields.”
The death toll already stands as high as 5,000 but reports suggest the true
figure might be double that. Bishop Simick added: “I saw animals killed by falling
cow sheds and stone walls. I saw the dry landslides after the shake all over the hills
where I was.”
The bishop described the devastating impact of the earthquake on Nepal’s
small Catholic community numbering just 10,000 faithful. ”Here in Kathmandu
city, many Catholic families have cracks in their houses or major damage.” Bishop
Simick stressed the problems of trying to assess the situation on the ground, describing
the crippling impact of communications breakdown, impassable roads, no domestic
flights and entire communities still cut off from any help.
The bishop added: “I would also like to request your prayer support for the
victims’ families who have lost loved ones, those who are still missing loved ones
and those who are seriously injured.” Reporting on the suffering of Catholic
communities, he described how some faithful had lost their lives in a mission station
which takes three days by foot to reach from the capital. “Yesterday [Monday],
one helicopter went to see the place and victims but because of bad weather it
could not land and saw nothing. “Many of our churches, schools, convents and
other institutions have developed precarious cracks.”
– Zenit.org
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Meets Privately With Pope
Francis: ROME, April 28, 2015 - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Secretary
General of the United Nations, had a private meeting with Pope Francis this morning.
Ki-moon is in Rome to address an International Symposium on climate change
that was held at the Vatican. The symposium, entitled “Protect the Earth, Dignify
Humanity: The Moral Dimensions of Climate Change and Sustainable Development”
was organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
In a communique released by the Holy See Press Office, Vatican spokesman
Father Federico Lombardi stated that during the meeting, the UN Secretary General
expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for accepting the invitation to address
the United Nations on September 25th. “[Ban Ki-moon] expressed his expectation
for his address on that occasion and for his next encyclical, and outlined several
points on the United Nations current commitment on not only environmental issues,
but also on migrants and the tragic humanitarian situations in the areas of world
struck by conflicts,” Fr. Lombardi wrote, ‘Good Stewards of Creation’ Following
his meeting with Pope Francis, Ki-moon addressed the international symposium,
telling participants that his conversation was “fruitful and wide-ranging”.
“I commend His Holiness, and all faith and scientific leaders here, for raising
awareness of the urgent need to promote sustainable development and address
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climate,” he said. Calling climate change the “defining issue of our time”, the UN
Secretary General highlighted the importance of science and religion coming together
to work on addressing it. “Science and religion are not at odds on climate change.
Indeed, they are fully aligned,” he said. Together, we must clearly communicate
that the science of climate change is deep, sound and not in doubt.”
Ki-moon stated that current projections place the rise in global temperature at
4-5 degrees Celsius, due to global emissions. Saying that such a rise is morally
indefensible, Secretary General Ki-moon reiterated the Holy See’s stance, saying
that “there is a moral imperative to act.” Concluding his address, Ban Ki-moon said
that he “looks forward to the upcoming encyclical by Pope Francis.”
Earlier this year, Fr. Lombardi stated that the Holy Father is expected to release
his encyclical sometime before the summer. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis
has spoken of the care for the environment and creation as one of his concerns.
During a meeting in January 2014 with ambassadors from around the world, the
Holy Father warned that the exploitation of the environment was one of many
threats to peace. “Even if ‘nature is at our disposition,’ all too often we do not
‘respect it or consider it a gracious gift which we must care for and set at the
service of our brothers and sisters, including future generations,” he said.
– Zenit.org
Pope’s Morning Homily: Vatican City, April 28, 2015 : The Christian Life
Is Not a Museum of Memories. Thanks to the surprises of the Holy Spirit, the
Church moves forward. During his homily at Casa Santa Marta this morning, Pope
Francis reminded the faithful that God surprises us and that we must not be afraid
of change and leaving old habits behind.
The Holy Spirit, Francis underscored, not only makes us understand, but makes
the Church move forward. “We can study the whole history of salvation and all
theology, but without the Spirit we cannot understand,” he said. The Holy Father
stressed it is the Spirit that makes us realize the truth or know Jesus’ voice: ‘My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. ‘ The Church’s going
forward, Francis highlighted, is the work of the Holy Spirit.
“And how do I do this - you ask the Pope - make sure that voice I hear is the
voice of Jesus, that what I feel I have to do is done by the Holy Spirit?” Responding,
Francis said: “Praying.” “Without prayer, there is no place for the Spirit. He invited
those gathered to ask God to send them the Holy Spirit so that we may discern at
all times what we have to do. We must discern, the Pope stressed, and to discern,
he said we must pray and ask for grace.
Francis warned against the mentality that if we do things the way we have always
done, that we are safer, stressing, “The Christian life is not a museum of memories.’’
‘‘But to do as you’ve always done,” he warned, “is an ‘alternative death.’” The Holy
Father concluded urging the faithful to “risk, with prayer, and then, with the humility,
accepting what the Spirit asks us to change. “This is the way,” the Pope said.
– Zenit.org
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Pope Francis Establishes Vatican Communications Commission:
ROME, May 01, 2015 (Zenit.org) - Pope Francis green lit a proposal from the
Council of Cardinals and established a commission that will study and implement
reforms following the Vatican Media Committee’s final report.The initial committee,
established in July 2014, set out to “adapt the Holy See media to changing media
consumption trends, enhance coordination and achieve progressively and sensitively
substantial financial savings.”
The Council of Cardinals, who recently met from April 13-15, studied the final
report and proposed the institution of a new commission that will suggest “feasible
approaches”. “The proposal was favourably accepted by the Holy Father, who on
April 23rd decided to institute the commission and to appoint its members,” a
communique from the Holy See Press Office stated.The new commission will be
chaired by Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano, director of the Vatican Television Center.
The following are the members appointed by the Holy Father:Paolo Nusiner,
director general of the daily newspaper “Avvenire”, Nuova Editoriale Italiana,
Milan;Msgr. Lucio Adrian Ruiz, head of the Vatican Internet Service, directorate
of Telecommunications of the Governorate of Vatican City State;Fr. Antonio Spadaro,
S.J., director of “La Civiltà Cattolica”;Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical
Council for Social Communications.
Pope Francis: We Must Become Living Branches in the Church :
ROME, May 03, 2015 (Zenit.org) - Christians are called to be like the branches on
a vine and “bring fruits of this common belonging to Christ and to the Church” to
the world. This was the central theme of Pope Francis’ address to the faithful gathered
in St. Peter’s Square this morning prior to the recitation of the Regina Coeli.
The Holy Father reflected on today’s Gospel, in which Jesus tells his disciples
that “just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so
neither can you unless you remain in me.” Drawing from Christ’s words, the Pope
said that those who are not in communion with Jesus become sterile, even “harmful
for the community.”
“With this image He teaches us to remain in Him, to be united to Him, even
though He cannot be physically present,” the Pope said. “Jesus is the Life, and
through Him - like the sap in the tree - passes the same love of God to the branches,
the Holy Spirit. Thus, we are the branches, and through this parable Jesus wants us
to understand the importance of remaining united to Him.”
Continuing his address, the Pope explained that branches, like Christians, are
not self-sufficient but rather, depend on the vine where they find their source of
life. The gift of life for Christians, he said, stems from our Baptism.
“We must remain faithful to Baptism and grow in friendship with the Lord
through prayer, daily prayer, through the listening and docility of His Word- to read
the Gospel - in the participation of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and
Reconciliation,” he exhorted.
“The fruits of this profound union with Jesus are marvelous: our whole person
22
is transformed by the grace of the Spirit: courage, intelligence, will, affections, even
the body, because we are unity of spirit and body.” The 78 year old Pontiff called
on the faithful to receive this new way of life, which leads to caring and loving
others, especially the poorest and those suffering most.
Concluding his address, Pope Francis encouraged those present to become
“living branches in the Church.” He also conveyed the importance of giving witness
to faith in a coherent way: “a coherence of life and thought, of life and faith - aware
that all of us, according to our particular vocation, participates in the unique salvific
mission of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
THE HAPPIEST DAY IN MY LIFE
There are any days in life that bring joy and pleasure but some days are the
happiest and remain in our minds forever. These days are the reminders of the
amazing time we have spent. The happiest day of my life is a visit to an Orphanage
at Mohanlalganj Lucknow. The happiness I felt that day is no match with any other
day of my life.
My friend likes to help others and she often likes to arrange visits to different
orphanages. On one of her visits she invited us all. As I was free that day, I decided
to go. First, I wasn’t exited at all. It didn’t know what I would do when I would
reach thee. It was in a plan to reach the place at 2 p.m. I went before time and
started to wait for others.
There was a magic show arrangement for the children and the magician was
arranging his things. In the waiting area I saw children watching, where I was
sitting. Then they called me inside with the other people I was sitting with. When I
was with them, they started to ask so many questions: where I was from and why
I was visiting them; why I didn’t know them; Their questions struck my mind.
When all the arrangements were completed in the hall, the children were asked
to go in that area. They divided into groups and selected the person they liked most;
they grabbed our hands and took us out. They sat with us and enjoyed the show
while talking to us in the way as if we were their old friends. They all were very
beautiful and just our presence meant a lot to them.
After the show, we played different games and enjoyed different activities.
We distributed gifts and sweets, painted their faces with cute butterflies & flowers,
applied mehendi on girls’ hands and ate with them. When it was departure time, all
the children had tears in their eyes and they were taking promises from each one of
us that we will visit them often. With the promise of meeting again we left the place.
After my first meeting with these children, one thought that struck my mind
was that they were thinking that we had made their day but in reality they had
provided us the way to remain happy forever. I found that true happiness can only
be enjoyed when you make others happy and specially those who don’t have anyone
to call their own….
Aiyra Charles & Abhishek Charles
Indiranagar, Lucknow
23
Birthdays to Remember
May
1st : Rev. Fr. Leo D'Souza
2nd : Rev. Fr. Primus Ekka
7th : Rev. Fr. Tej Prakash Bara
13th : Rev. Fr. Peter Castellino
17th : Rev. Fr. Victor Lobo
: Rev. Fr. Clifford Lobo
: Rev. Fr. Prakash Soreng
26th : Rev. Fr. Basant Lakra
27th : Rev. Fr. Thomas Crasta
: Rev. Fr. Elias Cardoza
28th : Rev. Fr. Pavitra Kumar
June
July
6th
9th
10th
12th
14th
21st
23rd
29th
9th
15th
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Rev. Fr. Claudius D' Almeida
Rev. Fr. Lancy Rego
Rev. Fr. Henry D' Almeida
Rev. Fr. Andrew D' Cunha
Rev. Fr. Charles Fernandes
Rev. Fr. Vijay Crasta
Rev. Fr. Felix Menezes
Rev. Fr. Peter D'Souza
Rev. Fr. Julian Pinto
Rev. Fr. Melvyn Saldanha
Ordination Anniversaries
May
1st :
12th :
16th :
Rev. Fr. George Salis (1995)
Rev. Fr. Alwyn Madtha (1999)
Rev. Fr. Gerald D' Souza (1996)
Death Anniversaries
May
June
16th
31st
7th
20th
:
:
:
:
Rev. Fr. Gerard Perazzini OFM Cap
Rev. Fr. Camillus D' Souza
Rev. Fr. Victor D' Souza
Most Rev. Alan De Lastic
24
SHEPHERD’S VOICE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic
Life has written a Letter addressed to all the consecrated men and women of the
world on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. The Letter signed by Cardinal
Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect and Archbishop Jose Rodrigues Carballo, O.F.M.,
Secretary of the Congregation is dated 8th September 2014 and titled, "Keep
Watch!"
The 85 page letter contains 152 endnotes quoting profusely from the writings
of recent Popes, especially the present Pontiff, Francis. It also quotes abundantly
the scripture passages from both Old and New Testaments.
I would like to quote from this Letter some of the striking passages for our
reflection, as we are celebrating this year as the Year of Consecrated Life in our
diocese too. Even though the Letter is addressed to men and women religious, its
content is beneficial to all, clergy, religious and lay faithful.
Following the invitation of Pope Francis the Letter, Keep Watch, exhorts us
to live the "mysticism of encounter": "If each of you is a precious opportunity for
others to meet with God, it is about rediscovering the responsibility of being prophetic
as a community, to seek together, with humility and patience, a word of sense that
can be a gift for the country and for the Church, and to bear witness to it with
simplicity. You are like antennas ready to receive the smallest innovations prompted
by the Holy Spirit, and you can help the ecclesial community to take on this gaze of
goodness and find new and bold ways to reach all people."
Having said that, the Pope cautions us in the following rather disturbing words:
"It always pains me greatly to discover how some Christian communities, and even
consecrated persons, can tolerate different forms of enmity, divisions, calumny,
defamation, vendetta, jealousy and the desire to impose certain ideas at all costs,
even to persecutions which appear as veritable witch hunts. Whom are we going to
evangelize if this is the way we act?"
These are harsh words. And the Pope is not speaking without certain
experience of the painful reality he has seen. All of us must individually and as a
community do a little bit of soul searching and find out if what the Pope describes is
a reality in my personal or community life. If so, the year of Consecrated Life is a
time of grace, kairos to renew ourselves and become what we ought to be.
The Letter quotes the Holy Father again on the importance of the religious
communities: "The community supports the whole of the apostolate. At times religious
communities are fraught with tensions, and risk becoming individualistic and
scattered, whereas what is needed is deep communication and authentic relationships.
The humanizing power of the Gospel is witnessed in fraternity lived in community
and is created through welcome, respect, mutual help, understanding, kindness,
forgiveness and joy."
25
The present Letter also underscores the importance of prayer in consecrated
life. We are called to prayerful watchfulness, interceding for the world. It says:
"Consecrated life in the present time is called to live with particular intensity the
posture of intercession... In this prayerful posture what is at stake is the rebellious
obedience of the prophetic function of consecrated life, which makes itself a
passionate voice on behalf of humanity...The capacity to sit praying in choir make
consecrated men and women not solitary prophets, but men and women of
communion, of a shared listening to the Word, capable of elaborating together new
signs and significances, conceived and constructed even during times of persecution
and martyrdom."
May the year of Consecrated Life be for all of us an opportune time for
evaluation, renewal, and continuation of our journey towards spiritual growth and
maturity. I wish all of you a fruitful and rewarding year.
Yours sincerely in Christ
+ Gerald John Mathias
Bishop of Lucknow
TIME TO SMILE!
A true story
Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small
town to preach a sermon. Wanting to post a letter, he asked a young boy where
the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and
said, 'If you'll come to the Baptist Church this evening, you can hear me telling
everyone how to get to heaven.'
The boy replied, 'I don't think I'll be there... You don't even know your
way to the post office.'
Incredible Service
Young Jonathan was visiting a church for the first time. He checked all
the announcements, posters and pictures along the walls. When he came to a
group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby seminarian, 'Who are all
those men in the pictures?'
The seminarian replied, 'Why, those are our parishioners who died in the
service'.
Dumbfounded, the Jonathan asked, 'Was that the morning service or the
evening service?'
26
27
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
S .No.
500
970
270
315
5240
1378
700
1000
2100
500
1360
2900
2032
3650
21330
2500
2750
4000
6560
1000
7470
29000
2500
2000
Holy
Hunger
Childhood
&
Disease
14500
6800
31700
2560
19600
14384
12000
1640
6367
500
2000
1300
5500
560
1685
25250
2637
350
2480
4120
1010
1350
9380
2430
10200
13800
9330
4480
2790
2400
2000
3500
800
2501
2281
11000
3100
2000
Good
Friday
825
10850
8900
6575
8600
4400
3310
1200
1500
1401
2000
12294
10000
9750
17970
2000
5605
1800
13374
1500
1420
17050
3816
1220
500
1000
4004
4000
4600
3100
1100
Mission
Sunday
6415
300
270
2750
1000
6035
500
305
1857
1000
6450
500
751
1135
27620
82020
7428
2000
43979
3000
2919
17850
1500
3000
6275
300
3350
500
310
Society Poor & Seminary Youth
of Peter Disabled Fund
Sunday
& Paul Children
1200
2000
12000
4200
2500
2200
2250
23520
2750
10000
Peter
Pence
COLLECTIONS FROM APRIL 2014 TO MARCH 2015
Holy Family Church, Gomtinagar
Holy Reedemer Church, Alambagh
Infant Jesus Church, Ashiana
Nitya Sahaya Matha Church , Gaurabagh
Our Lady Fatima Church, Gonda
Our Lady Of Graces Church, Rajajipuram
Sacred Heart Church, Sitapur
St. Agnes Church,Hussainganj
St. Aloysius Church, Bangarmau
St. Ann’s Church, Pallia
St. Anthony’s Church, Barabanki
St. Dominic Savio Church, Indiranagar
St. Don Bosco Church, Lakhimpur
St. Fidelis Church, Aliganj
St. Francis Cabrini Church, Shantinagar
St. Francis Church, Nigohan
St. James Church, Hardoi
St. John Mary Vianney Church, Uttretia
St. John’s Church, Gola
St. John’s Church, Kakraha
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hazratganj
St. Jude’s Church, Mohanlalganj
St. Lawrence Church, Unnao
St. Mark’s Church, Thakurganj
St. Mary Magdalene Church, Mahmudabad
St. Michael’s Church, Mankapur
St. Norbert’s Church,Bahraich
St. Paul’s Church, Dilkusha
St. Peter’s Church, Nanpara
St. Thomas Church, Amausi
St. Theresa Church, Aurangabad
St. Theresa Church , Sandila
Names
7115
3392
500
485
2588
2550
Holy
See
1140
389
1113
1350
850
African
Mission
28
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
S.No.
220944
10000
3000
3000
5000
1100
1500
1001
500
2500
500
133742
1508
5300
216224
7460
1000
5000
5000
1000
10000
1000
2500
500
5000
600
500
500
1500
1500
3000
1000
3000
500
Good
Mission
Friday Sunday
14435
Peter
Pence
Note: The collection above is for the financial year 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015.
500
6400
2000
49433
3000
5000
2500
4000
3500
Holy
Hunger
Childhood
&
Disease
11897
13086
236836
17685
4842
African
Mission
Procurator
Fr. Alwyn Moras
16630
Society Poor & Seminary Youth
Holy
of Peter Disabled Fund
Sunday See
& Paul Children
COLLECTIONS FROM APRIL 2014 TO MARCH 2015
DSS Sisters Rajajipuram
Holy Cross Convent Chapel, Khairabad
Holy Cross Convent, Khairabad
Jeevan Dhara Convent, Gaurabagh
Jeevan Dhara Inter College, Gaurabagh
Society of Maids of the Poor, Anand Bhawan
Vimal Sadan Society, Ashiana, Lucknow
DSS Sisters ,Gosaiganj
Holy Cross Provincialate, Lucknow
Sacred Heart Convent, Kalli Paschim
Clara Niwas Convent, Utretia
Shantiniketan Convent, Unnao
St. Ann’s Hospital, Mohanlalganj
St. Ann’s Convent , Mohanlalganj
St. Ann’s Convent, Rajni Khand
Navdeep Niwas, Nanpara
St. Clares Convent, Lucknow
Clara Sadan Nanpara
St. Angela’s Convent, Bangarmau
Anugrah UMI Noviate , Kalli Paschim
Mount Carmel Convent, Mahanagar
Immaculate Conception Convent, Gomtinagar
Shanti Ayurveda Hospital, Gaurabagh
Canossa Provincialate, Faridinagar
Jyoti Health Centre, Nigohan
BCM Campus ,Khairabad
Maria Sadan , Faridinagar
Total
Names