EDITORIAL HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A BRIGHT AND BLESSED NEW YEAR ! Dear Parishioners, Christmas is a story of God's Earth –Walk. It was God's coming into this world, the greatest event in the entire human history. The story did not take place in a decorated villa of Nazareth or a clean stable of Bethlehem. He emptied himself totally, leaving behind Heaven, where he had constantly enjoyed being worshipped by angels (Heb 1:6) to this planet called earth. He was among us, here – to touch and converse with us, in flesh and blood. He ate, drank, walked, talked, slept, suffered, bled and died. He made himself one with the people in all things, except sin, taking a human nature along with culture, language, and even poverty. The King of kings stepped down from his heavenly throne, to be born in a stable, bore suffering and experienced temptations like all humans do. God chose, as the apostle Paul puts it – to be caught with the muck and blood and tears in this messy world. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it to the fullest” (Jn 10:10) Fr. Clarence Fonseca VOL. XXXIII ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 2013 Parish Bulletin of St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol. Year of the Eucharist Year of the Eucharist
Transcript
EDITORIAL
HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A BRIGHT AND BLESSED NEW YEAR !
Dear Parishioners,
Christmas is a story of God's Earth –Walk. It was God's coming into this world, the greatest
event in the entire human history. The story did not take place in a decorated villa of Nazareth
or a clean stable of Bethlehem. He emptied himself totally, leaving behind Heaven, where he
had constantly enjoyed being worshipped by angels (Heb 1:6) to this planet called earth. He
was among us, here – to touch and converse with us, in flesh and blood. He ate, drank, walked,
talked, slept, suffered, bled and died. He made himself one with the people in all things,
except sin, taking a human nature along with culture, language, and even poverty.
The King of kings stepped down from his heavenly throne, to be born in a stable, bore
suffering and experienced temptations like all humans do. God chose, as the apostle Paul puts
it – to be caught with the muck and blood and tears in this messy world. “The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). “I came so that everyone would have life,
and have it to the fullest” (Jn 10:10)
Fr. Clarence Fonseca
VOL. XXXIII ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 2013Parish Bulletin of St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol.
Year of the EucharistYear of the Eucharist
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CHRISTMAS . . . . . It is Jesus meeting us today
Christmas cards and cribs. Carols and the world's best known birthday. How can we get behind the hoopla
and see what we are celebrating on Christmas Day?
The birth of Jesus, no doubt. The birth of the best-known, most admired, most influential figure in human
history. The greatness of the person, as well as the touching human setting in which He was born (a poor
young couple away from home; the heartbreak of not finding shelter; the birth in a stable amidst cattle
fodder; angels and shepherds; the Magi and a special star;..) make Christmas one of the most touching
human stories ever. It is easy to respond to the emotional charm of Christmas.
There is no need to be a Christian to get this far. Christmas, as Jesus' birthday, is known and observed the
world over. It is, for instance a public holiday in pre-dominantly Hindu India.
We, followers of Jesus, celebrate much more than a birthday. We know that God's splendour shone through
the apparently ordinary life of this child. From then on, to know God was to walk the path Jesus trod. God is
best known not through clever speculation or elitist practices, but through the kind of life Jesus lived.
Human life, especially of the poor, becomes the most sacred holy book, in which we read God's own story.
Revelation is no more a set of abstract truths. It is a person. A person like us in everything (expect sin)
Jesus.
God literally becomes one of us, thus transforming us and our understanding of ourselves. We are sons in
the Son, with the privilege and the unmerited right to call God “Father”.
This is not poetry. Far from it! The revolution started by Jesus' birth turned slave owners and slaves into a
family. Social status, linguistic and racial barriers, political opinions and power games all recede into the
background before our all important birthright as God's sons and daughters. If God loved us to this degree,
if God treasured us enough to become one of us, there must be much more to us than we normally see.
That “more” in us, this Treasure we hold in the fragility of our humanity, is both a reason for celebration and
a call.
We sing for joy because God's unutterable tenderness becomes tangible, accessible in Jesus. This child is
Emmanuel, God with us!
His birth is also a call. We look into our hearts and see the areas where Jesus still waits to be born, areas
where we are not yet Christians, dark and turbulent corners unswept by His love. May be, this Christmas we
will give Him room. Hopefully, the name “Christian” will be less of a lie about us.
We look at the world around us, this world that God loved so much that He could not keep a distance from it.
This world with all its beauty, its burden of sin and shame, its share of cruelty and pain, generosity and hope.
God waits to be “born” again through us.
Christian prayer is not a servant's attempt to get his boss' attention. No, we celebrate Jesus coming today.
We can let Christmas happen in us, around us. The liturgy is not a spectacle, not a mosaic of music and
gestures; it puts us in the presence of the living Jesus.
May we, who will look up and bend low as we hear the words “This is my Body”, open our eyes and see His
body in the poor and the homeless, in the orphans and street children around us.
A star led three strangers to meet God in a setting they didn't expect to find Him in. May our eyes be open to
see the glory waiting to burst forth in us and in lots of little Bethlehems around us. Given our assent, God
can become visible and close to those who need Him. He can be “born” again. Christmas is meant to be so
much more than cards and carols. It is Jesus meeting us today. And meeting those whom we meet today.
May our eyes and hearts be open!
3
Thanks MomA tear trickles down my cheeks,
When I think of all you've done,
For this - your beloved son.
It overwhelms me with emotions so great.
I just wanna say : 'Thanks Mom.'
You swallowed your tears, all those years,
Just to see me smile.
Only you could do this, day in and day out.
For this, I deeply wanna say : 'Thanks Mom.'
No matter how much I've asked of you,
You've always given me more.
Always making sure I got the best,
Even though you had to go through the worst.
It's easy to say I'm grateful,
But it comes from the bottom of my heart.
You stood as a pillar of fortitude, all these years
of pain and strife,
Toiling, toiling and never giving up.
Even a shadow deserts a person in the dark,
But not you….you were always there,
With a smile on your face and a song in your heart.
If there's a wish that the Good Lord would grant me,
I'd ask Him to bring you peace.
I'll shed not a tear of pain,
But reminisce every waking hour of my life,
Now and forever….'I Love you Mom.'
Julien Menezes
Time for LOVE Christmas is a time for love,
A time for Joy and Peace;
A time to trim the Christmas tree,
And a time to stuff the chicken.
It's a time when we can come together,
However far and near;
To shed a little Hope into the world,
Of sorrow and of fear.
To give a gift of Hope,
To one who otherwise has none;
To be a friend to somebody,
Whom everyone else has shun.
To be forgiving of our faults,
And of our sisters and our brothers;
To live in peace and harmony,
With ourselves and with each other.
It's a feeling that can stay with you,
Throughout each day, all year;
And all it takes is a loving heart,
And a sensitive little tear.
Prerna & Pranita Sawant
'The Closure of the Year of Faith' ….. An Exhibition
With the 'Year of Faith' coming to an end, our parish left no stone unturned, in making sure, that its spirit stays with the parishioners, for a long time. A colourful exhibition was held, from 7 am to 12 noon, on Sunday 13th October 2013, in the church compound, where every Cell & Association, put up its stall, which displayed its ministry/work done for the welfare of the parish. Parishioners flocked in large numbers, after every Mass, to view this exhibition, through which they surprisingly and pleasantly learned of the varied spiritual, social, medical and other services/ministries which are readily available to them, in their very own parish. Having gained a tremendous insight into the networking which mostly goes on behind-the-scenes, the parishioners gratefully appreciated and applauded the hard work and sincere efforts put in by the members of these Cells and Associations all through the year. Indeed what better way to end the 'Year of Faith' than hosting a memorable event like this, which manifested the deep FAITH of every parishioner – for the greater glory of God !! 'Strengthen our Faith Redeemer' !!
Lisha D'Souza
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‘WOMAN’ : BE THE CHANGE YOU WANNA BE
The ‘Women Leadership Training Programme’ was conducted by the Bombay Archdiocesan Women's Commission - in collaboration with – The Sophia College Centre for Women's Studies & Development. It was held at the Holy Cross High School, Kurla, from 20th July to 15th September 2013. Three of our parishioners attended –Barbara Oliver, Dorina Coates and Edna Upadhyay. The programme included topics on : Women Empowerment and Leadership, Women Studies and History of Women's Movements, Jesus' Vision for Women, Basic Counseling Skills, Rational Emotional Behaviour Therapy, Women's Legal Rights, Assertiveness Training, Gender Policy of the Catholic Church, Stress Management & Fitness, Public Speaking etc. All the topics were inspiring. They helped us reflect – as women - on those areas in our lives which required us to make right choices, and which needed a refreshing change. The entire Programme also made us aware, that we had a commitment unto justice and equality and not to meekly surrender to the evils of inhumanity in today's society. Through the various sessions, we were firmly led to believe that we - 'must make truth a reality, and give everyone the dignity to live their lives – by reaching out to our less fortunate sisters - by empowering them to have an equal relationship with men, in terms of their right to : education, finance, freedom of expression, basic human needs etc.'.
In our modern-day society, the need of the hour is (as Jesus Himself would desire) to : help women realize that they need not continue being just wall-flowers, but rather – with the grace of Holy Spirit, be set free, withstand every obstacle and overcome all challenges that come their way, in their 'feminine' journey of life. Dear fellow-parishioners, deep within your heart, if you hear the Lord calling you to reach out to others in love, please respond to that 'Spiritual Call' today. Join the Women's Cell in our parish and help empower 'Women – God's precious gift to the human race'. You will be richly blessed by the Lord – like Mary our Mother – His loveliest Creation of a Woman !!
Women's Cell
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The Divine MercyThe Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska wherein she recorded the events related to "encounters" of her soul with God was analysed by an eminent theologian theRev. Ignacy Rozycki who points out that there are five elements of the devotion tothe Divine Mercy.
a. The Image of the Merciful JesusIts pattern was revealed in the vision St. Faustina had on February 22, 1931. "In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. After a while, Jesus said to me, 'Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You' " (Diary, 47). The two rays are a distinctive feature of this image of Christ. The Lord Jesus, when asked about their meaning, explained: "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is life of souls..Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter" (Diary, 299). "This image",Jesus also declared, "is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works" (Diary 742)
b. The Feast of The Divine MercyIts institution was requested by the Lord Jesus: "I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy" (Diary, 49).
c. The Chaplet of The Divine MercyThis chaplet was dictated to Sr. Faustina by the Lord Jesus Himself in Vilnius on September 13-14, 1935, as a prayer of atonement and for the appeasement of God's wrath (see Diary, 474-476). The Lord said: "When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God's anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul" (Diary, 811).
d. The Hour of MercyIn October, 1937, the Lord Jesus recommended that she honour the hour of His death: "as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul" (Diary, 1572).
e. Spreading honour to The Divine MercyJesus also promises: "Souls who spread the honour of My mercy I shield through their entire life as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Saviour" (Diary, 1075). Jesus' message is loud and clear: "to make known to souls the great mercy I have for them and to exhort them to trust in the BOTTOMLESS DEPTH OF MY MERCY" (Diary, 1567). God's mercy is like a golden thread interwoven in all the moments of our existence.
Blessed Maria Faustina Kowalska was canonised by Pope John Paul in Rome on Divine Mercy Sunday April 30, 2000 during the Great Jubliee year 2000. And the Pope states during his Canonisation homily: "The second Sunday of Easter from now on throughout the Church will be called "Divine Mercy Sunday".
Joan Gracias(Excerpted from Sr. Maria Faustina Diary, 'Divine Mercy in my Soul'.)
PRERNA COMMUNITY CENTREAndheri East , Mumbai-400 059 PH: 28343255
Prerna Health Centre
ndThe Prerna Health Centre celebrated its 5th Anniversary on 2 October 2013, with Bishop Percival Fernandez as our Chief Guest. It was a great day in the history of St. John the Evangelist CCO. As of today the Health Centre has more than 7695 patients registered for healthcare treatment and 1992 taking Dental treatment . The Health Centre has surely made great progress in the past 5 years.
ndThe Prerna Health Centre was inaugurated on 2 Oct 2008, by Rev Fr. Clarence Fonseca. It had a humble beginning but with the active involvement of the doctors and the support staff, it has made leaps of progress.
thIt added a dental clinic on 28 Sept 2009 which was inaugurated by Bishop Percival Fernandez. In the past five years the Health Centre has conducted various preventive health camps such as Bone Density Camp, Eye Camp, Diabetes Awareness Camp, Cardiac Evaluation Camp, Cancer Early Detection Camp, Dental Camp, ENT Camp, Obesity Awareness Camp, Thyroid Detection Camp, Complete Body Profile Camp, Women Welfare Camp, and Anaemia Detection Camp. It has also conducted various awareness programmes on Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity. More than 600 generic medicines are available at a highly discounted rate.
We are grateful to the team of Doctors who work diligently to make Prerna Health Centre a service to the sick
We look forward to providing more services and better quality when we move into the new premises of the CCO which is nearing completion.
DEPARTMENT CONSULTANT'S NAME VISITING DAYS VISITING TIME
PHYSICIAN DR. ANIL BHAVE, M.S.,MONDAY TO
SATURDAY9.00 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M.
PHYSICIAN &
CARDIOLOGISTDR. ASHISH DESHMUKH, M.D. FRIDAY 11.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M.
GYNECOLOGIST DR. ARCHANA MAYEKAR, M.D. TUESDAY 11.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M.
PEDIATRICIANDR. SUJA SREEVATHSOW,
M.D.THURSDAY 11.00 A,M TO 12.00 A.M.
HOMEOPATHIC
CONSULTANT
DR. MINAL MUNI,
B.H.M.S. (HOMEO)THURSDAY 12.00 NOON TO 2.00 P.M.
PATHOLOGIST
DENTIST
DR. LEENA PINTO, M.D.
DR. SHALINI PAL, B.D.S.
MONDAY TO
MONDAY TO
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
8.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M.
9.00 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.
TIMINGS OF CONSULTANTS' VISITS TO PRERNA HEALTH CENTRE
PHYSICIANDR. THOMAS KURUVILLA,
M.D.TUESDAY & SATURDAY 11.00 A.M. TO 12.00 NOON
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REMINISCING OUR VILLAGE CHRISTMAS
The world has changed since the last four decades and the joy of Christmas cannot be savored to the full in our troubled times. The feast of the Nativity of the Saviour and the message remains the same,“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill”. But the people who keep that feast and the world to which the message was given , have changed. So I would like to dream of Christmases of long ago……….Christmas was a time of holidays , reunion, and an event looked forward to, by everybody. Schools closed early in December and the otherwise quiet village woke up, commencing preparations for the joyous day, at least three weeks in advance.The old Mangalore-tiled roof house was given a new look-repaired, painted .The Christmas shopping would begin ; the mother would be off to the market to purchase ingredients for sweets; the women folk of the village often clustered to discuss the list of sweets, and the making sessions going into the late night. The elders made the crib that occupied the place of honor in the house, and the huge star made with crepe paper which was then put up prominently in front of the house. Nearing 24th December, saw the climax of excitement. A visit to the church to make a good confession was a must. The younger folk grouped late in the evening, and went around, singing carols in the by-lanes, in front of the cottages and houses.Then came the Mid-Night Mass that had an atmosphere of festivity. The church decorated and lit, congregation packed. As soon as the Celebrant said ”Gloria in Excelsis Deo” the congregation joined in unison to hail the birth of the Savior.Christmas day was sentimental. Trays of home-made sweets were sent to neighbours.Christmas carols were heard playing on the gramophone ;the grand-pa rocking in his armchair, in the front courtyard, greeted the villagers; the women folk putting in their best efforts to serve a grand Christmas lunch to the family.However simple, hard or dull life may have been all through the year, Christmas was a season of goodwill and cheer .It released a feeling of joy and peace. So I feel nostalgic and dream of those Christmases of long ago that will not be mine again.
Clarence Pimenta
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1) A few reflections : In the good old days, church-goers came on time with the Missal in hand, and the ladies with a veil covering their heads. Today you see quite a few coming to Mass when the homily is coming to an end. What puts me off, is the ring-tone of a mobile phone. Cannot one make do, without this gadget in God's Holy Temple ?
Before the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Mass was celebrated in Latin, by the priest who did not face the congregation, but had his back to them. Vatican Council II brought about a pleasant change. The Mass since then, has been celebrated in the local language of any given region – with the priest facing his congregation. The Eucharistic Celebration today, has become a meaningful dialogue between the priestly shepherd and his congregational flock. What a blessing and privilege – for both !!
In a bid to encourage Catholics to marry within the Faith, the Church decided that inter-faith marriages would not be solemnized during the Eucharistic Celebration. Hence, these marriages are not a Sacrament. Knowledge about this fact should therefore, discourage young Catholics from going in for mixed marriages.
2) Proper Dress Code : To maintain the sanctity of the Holy Temple of the Lord (the church premises), men should dress appropriately and their attire should not be too casual. Women should certainly dress up decently and not wear revealing clothes on 'hallowed grounds'. Dressing up provocatively (especially by ladies), not only distracts worshippers in church, but also invites unwarranted negative comments from people of other Faiths, and this indeed is a matter of shame for our Catholic community.
3) All Communities must register marriages – says Supreme Court : Reiterating its Order dated 14th February 2006, the Court said : “We are of the view that marriage of all Indian citizens, irrespective of their religion, shall compulsorily be registered in the State, within whose territorial jurisdiction it is solemnized”. The apex court felt that this ruling is the need of the hour, as certain unscrupulous spouses are left in the lurch, be it for – seeking maintenance or custody of children or inheritance of property etc.
4) Divorce : With both Houses of Parliament recently passing the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Bill 2001, the Government has removed the inequities which plagued the 150 year-old Divorce Act, 1869. It has modernized the law governing a Christian's divorce and has brought it on par, with the Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Marriage Act.
If a Catholic who is married in the Church, is divorced as per the Civil Law, and wants to re-marry in the Church, he or she should get the marriage annulled as per the provisions of the Cannon Law. This is because Catholics are governed by the Ecclesiastical Courts of the Church. But please remember : the innocent victims of a bitter divorce are – our precious children. Do they, as our beloved offspring, really deserve the raw deal they get, when there is uncalled-for in-fighting between their parents who, in the first place, brought them into the world?? Dear parishioners reflect : 'Marriages are made in heaven, but the maintenance has to be done here on earth, with generous helpings of love, trust, understanding, communication and forgiveness between the spouses, topped above all, with dollops of God's grace.”
I am not a regular church-goer. However, I do not forget to say my prayers especially at night. I thank God for giving me a good day, and (under my breath), I gently remind Him not to forget to wake me the next morning……..
Arthur Miranda
10
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T he Parish Fathers and Sisterswish all the parishioners
A Happy Christmas& God’s choicest blessings
in the New Year 2014
Decemberth st rd20 , 21 , 23 Confessions – 9.30 am to 10.30 am & 5.30 pm to 8.30 p.m.nd22 Christmas Party for Sunday School Childrenth24 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm Carol singing on the Church grounds
10.00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass on the Church groundsth25 Christmas Day Masses 7.00 am, 8.00 am, 9.00 am. No evening Massth27 Feast of our Parish Patron – St. John the Evangelist (Proper Day)th28 Feast of Holy Innocents. Blessing of infants only after 7.00 am Mass th29 Feast of The Holy Family & Our Parish Feast
- Masses at 6.30 am, 7.30 am, 8.30 am & 5.30 pm
Feast Mass at 8.30 am – Main Celebrant : Bishop Percival Fernandesst31 Holy Hour at 11.00 pm followed by Midnight Mass in the Church
Januaryst1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and New Year's Day
Masses at 7.00 am, 8.00 am, 9.00 am. NO evening Massth5 Epiphany of Our Lord
