Indian Christian Martyrs Day - 2011 Celebrated

Bhopal: 28th August, 

 Christians in Madhya Pradesh celebrated Indian Christian Martyrs Day with prayer meeting and blood donation. Memorial Service was held in different Churches in Madhya Pradesh. A special memorial service organized at Seva Sadan Church in Bhopal was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life. The participants, recalled the suffering that the Christian community under going in the name of religion, we are trying to recall the suffering of Lord Jesus on the Cross.’

The Blood Donation Camp was organized at Red Cross Hospital, Bhopal . The Red Cross has been in support of the Blood Donation Camps organized by Isai Mahasangh. A large number of people gave blood. 

            Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh,(IMS),  which is spearheading movement explained that Christianity began with the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus, His disciple St. Thomas came to India in 52 AD, He was also martyred, from then on there are many followers of Christ who died to save faith, we remember them all.  It is the third year that we are commemorating the heroic sacrifice of those Christians who died for faith. In the History of the Christian Community the Month of August is remembered very well due to the sacrifice of the numberless Christians in Kandmal.

Fr. Anand Muttungal in his message said, “as per the known source of information so far we have around sixty persons who sacrificed for Christ. Let us also remember the number of laypersons, priests and nuns who died   for their faith since St. Thomas the Apostle.”

             IMS State General Secretary Dr. Manis Mathew said,” Church is built on the blood of the martyrs, it is for faith that they sacrificed their life.” He said that the prayer services began with offering floral tributes to the martyrs by the participants. They sang bhajan , red verses from Holy Bible and offered prayers.

            IMS Organizational Secretary Jerry Paul said “ we have reports from all over MP that prayer services and blood donation camps are held at different places.  All over Madhya Pradesh Christians are observing it with different programmes to remember them.”

Photo:Google

“ MPIMS also remembered the women and children who under went insults, physical assaults, we honour all those persons are living with pain.”, Said Sheela Shantyago.

The programme organizing secretary Anand Francis, said,” I would like to recall the it was on 28^th August most the Christians killed in Kandhamal, Orissa. They sacrificed by their life for faith in Christ. The anti-Christian communal violence claimed  almost 5,000 houses being torched which rendered over 50,000 people homeless, over twenty thousand people continue to wait for sufficient relief to start a new life all over again.    We remember them all, God may continue to bless all of them.” Pastor Amos Shah, Richard James, Sannu etc gave blood.

News And Programme Photo Courtesy 

A. Francis

Programme Secretary (Organizer)

Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh

mp.christian@yahoo.com

Read More

Youth Talent Show_ Gujarat Catholic Youth

યુથ ટેલેન્ટ શો ની ઝાંખી

રવિવારે તા . ૨૮-૦૮-૨૦૧૧ ના રોજ લોયોલા અમદાવાદ ખાતે અમદાવાદ ડીનરી દ્વારા ટેલેન્ટ શો નું  સુંદર આયોજન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું. આ કાર્યક્રમમાં અતિથી વિશેષ    રેવ બિશપ થોમસ મેકવાન ,દૂત ના  તંત્રીશ્રી ડો . થોમસ પરમાર, શ્રી  સુરેશભાઈ ઈસાઈ, ફા. એમ્બ્રોસ, ફા વેલી એસ.જે., ફા. પરેશ  તથા ફા અશોક એસ..જે.  આ ટેલેન્ટ શોને વધુ સુંદર   હાજરી આપી  બનાવ્યો હતો.  સન્યસ્ત વર્ગ અને અમદાવાદનો  આપણો યુવાવર્ગ અને વડીલોએ પણ મોટી સંખ્યામાં હાજરી  આપી કાર્યક્રમને  રંગતભર્યો બનાવ્યો  હતો.

આ કાર્યક્રમમાં  નવરંગપુરા, લોયોલા, મિરઝાપુર,  ગોમતીપુર, મણીનગર,વટવા, નરોડા, હાંસોલ, કેમ્પ અને સાબરમતીમાંથી ૮૩ યુવાવર્ગે ભાગ લીધો હતો. ગીત ગુંજન, ડાન્સ, ગ્રુપ ડાન્સ, રાસ- ગરબા અને  ડાંગી ડાન્સનો આ કાર્યક્રમમાં સમાવેશ કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો.

  રેવ. બિશપ થોમસ મેકવાન, શ્રી સુરેશભાઈ ઈસાઈએ,ફા. પરેશે,  અને ફા વેલી એસ.જે   જેમણે યુવા વર્ગને  પોતાના પ્રવચનોમાં  યુવાધન અને તેમનામાં રહેલી શક્તિઓને આવતી કાલની ધર્મસભા ગણાવી  અને તેમને આગળ વધવા માટે પ્રોત્સાહિત બનાવ્યા હતા.

     દૂત શતાબ્દી સ્થાનિક સમિતિએ  આ કાર્યક્રમને  સફળ બનાવવા માટે ઉત્તમ ફાળો આપ્યો હતો. આ કાર્યક્રમને સુકાની ની જેમ સફળ બનાવવામાં  ફા. પ્રકાશનો ( હાલ મણીનગરમાં) આગવો  ફાળો રહ્યો હતો. તેમણે આ કાર્યક્રમને સફળ બનાવવા પાછળ રહેલ સર્વનો અભાર માન્યો હતો.

આવા કાર્યક્રમો આપણા યુવાધનને એક બનાવવામાં  સહાય તો થશે જ, પણ સાથે સાથે  તેઓને સમાજ અને ધર્મસભાના પાકા પાયા પણ બનાવી શકશે.

   

 આવો, આ  કાર્યક્રમને નિહાળવા માટે વિડિઓ ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો. આ વિડિઓમાં બફરીંગનો પ્રોબ્લેમ કદાચ નહિ આવે.  

  

- BBN 

A Bridge Between Christ And People 

Read More

Pope says WYD (World Youth Day) sign of hope..

Pope says WYD (World Youth Day) sign of hope for Church's future

"I thank God for this precious gift which gives hope for the future of the Church," he said.

The 2011 World Youth Day celebrations in August were "a precious gift which gives hope for the future of the Church," Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday during a general audience at Castel Gandolfo.The pontiff described the six day festivities, which took place from August 15-21 in Madrid and were attended by nearly two million young pilgrims, as "a moving ecclesiastical event" and a "true waterfall of light."

The 84-year-old said the "irrepressible enthusiasm" of those who had come to celebrate the lavish Catholic youth festival in the streets of the Spanish capital had been proof of "a young faith, full of courage for the future."

Benedict XVI told the 2,000 pilgrims attending the general audience how pleased he was that the young faithful had not been "put off by the wind and rain" which had lashed the city during the event.
"The meeting in Madrid was a magnificent show of faith for Spain and the world, for all of us," he said. It was a chance for the young to "reflect, dialogue, tell each other about their experiences and pray together."

The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics announced the theme for the next World Youth Day, to take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 2013: "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19).

News Courtesy
Expatica.com
Spanish News

Photos: Google

Read More

" FOLLOWING JESUS " Sunday Bible _ Text And Video

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)  28 August 2011

FOLLOWING JESUS

Matthew 16, 21 -27

José Antonio Pagola translated by Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ 

Rev. Fr. Valentine De Souza SJ

Jesus spent some time touring the villages of Galilee. That’s where he spent the best time of his life. The simple people were touched by his message of a good, forgiving God. The poor found themselves supported. The sick and the helpless thanked God for his power to heal and to alleviate suffering. He did not, however, always stay among those people who loved him so much.

   He explained his decision to his disciples: “He must go to Jerusalem.” It was imperative to announce the Good News of God and his project of a more just world, right in the midst of the Jewish religion. It was dangerous. He knew that “there he would suffer much.” The religious leaders and the authorities of the temple were going to kill him. He trusted the Father: “ he would rise on the third day.”

   Peter rebelled at what he heard. It horrified him to imagine  Jesus nailed to a cross. He could only think of a triumphant Messiah. Everything had to turn out well for Jesus. So he takes him apart and he begins to rebuke him: “Never, Lord. This shall never happen to you.”

   Jesus reacts with unexpected harshness. This behavior of Peter seems novel and strange to him. This is not the man who shortly before recognized him as “Son of the living God”. What he is suggesting is very dangerous. So he rejects him  with all his might: “Get away from me, Satan”. The text says literally: “Get behind me, Satan.” Take your place as a disciple and learn to follow me. Don’t place your self in front of me, leading us all away from the will of the Father.

   Jesus wants to make things very clear. He no longer calls Peter a “rock” on which he will build his church; now he calls him a “stone” which makes him a stumbling block and an obstacle in his path. He does not tell him that he speaks as he does because the Father revealed it to him; he makes him see that his line of action comes from Satan.

   The great temptation of Christians is to always imitate Peter: to solemnly confess Jesus as the “Son of the living God” and then try to follow him without carrying the cross; to try to live the gospel without cost or renunciation; to collaborate in the kingdom of God and his justice without experiencing rejection or persecution. We want to follow Jesus without anything of what happened to him, happen to us. That’s not possible.

It is always dangerous to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Whoever decides to follow him, ends, almost always, embroiled in tension and conflicts. He will discover from experience that it is difficult to find peace. Without seeking it, he will find himself carrying his cross. But he will also discover his peace and his unmistakable love. We Christians cannot lead him; we must follow him.

Encourage the following of  Jesus carrying his cross.

We Thank you all especially Rev. Fr. Velantine de Souza SJ  And Mr. Robin Parmar 

 

Source: URL of José Antonio Pagola's Buenas Noticias Web site: 

http://sanvicentemartirdeabando.org

Website for Spanish original and translations: www.eclesalia.net

Jose Antonio Pagola,  vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by  (Valentine) Vally de Souza S.J.  vallydesouza@jesuits.net,   Mandal, Gujarat , India.

Read More

Sunday Bible Reading

Please click on the video.
Miss Susanna F. Parmar has joined BBN as an associate.

-BBN

Read More

“Who do you say I am?” By Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) 

21 August 2011

OUR ONLY LORD

Matthew 16, 13-20

José Antonio Pagola translated by Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

“Who do you say I am?” Just as the first disciples, Christians today have to answer Jesus to remember who it is we trust, whom we follow and what we hope for from him. We too are animated by the same faith.

Jesus, you are the Son of the living God. We believe you come from God. You can draw us closer to his Mystery as no one else can. From you we can learn to trust in him always, in spite of the questions, doubts and uncertainties which arise in our hearts. Who, if not you, will rekindle our faith in a God who is a friend? In the midst of the night that falls on your followers, show us the Father.

Jesus, you are the Messiah, the great gift of the Father to the whole world. You are the best we, your followers, have, the most precious, the most desirable. Why is joy disappearing in your church? Why do we not welcome, enjoy, and celebrate your loving presence in our midst? Jesus, save us from sadness, and spread among us the contagion of your joy.

Jesus, you are our savior. You have the power to heal our lives, and to direct human history to its ultimate salvation. Lord, the Church you love is sick. It is weak and antiquated. We lack the strength to journey into the future proclaiming powerfully your Good News. Jesus, if you will, you can heal us.

Jesus, you are the Word of God made flesh. Greatly grieved and distressed at what is happening in this world you love, you have pitched your tent among us to denounce our sin and to carry out the radical renewal we need. Stir up the consciences of your followers. Rouse us from a religion that sedates and reassures us. Remind us of our first call and send us back to proclaim your kingdom and heal life.

Jesus, you are our only Lord. We do not wish to have any other. The Church is yours only. We do not want to have other lords. Why do you not always occupy the centre of our communities? Why do we replace you with our leadership? Why do we keep your Gospel under wraps? Why are we deaf to your words if they are spirit and life? Jesus, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.

Jesus, you are our friend. That’s how you yourself called us even though we have almost forgotten it. You willed your church to be a community of friends. You gifted us your friendship. You gave us your peace. You gave it to us forever. You are with us to the end. Why is there such discord, distrust and conflict among your followers? Jesus, give us today your peace. We do not know how to find it.

Jesus is our only Lord

***************

Source: URL of José Antonio Pagola's Buenas Noticias Web site: 

http://sanvicentemartirdeabando.org

Website for Spanish original and translations: www.eclesalia.net

Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by (Valentine) Vally de Souza S.J. vallydesouza@jesuits.net, Mandal, Gujarat , India.

Read More

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary And Independence Day of India

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mother Mary Pray For Us, Happy Feast To All

History:

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life is a defined dogma of the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated every year on August 15, is a very old feast of the Church, celebrated universally by the sixth century. It commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven, before her body could begin to decay--a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of time. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and a holy day of obligation.

The feast was originally celebrated in the East, where it is known as the Feast of the Dormition, a word which means "the falling asleep." The earliest printed reference to the belief that Mary's body was assumed into Heaven dates from the fourth century, in a document entitled "The Falling Asleep of the Holy Mother of God." The document recounts, in the words of the Apostle John, to whom Christ on the Cross had entrusted the care of His mother, the death, laying in the tomb, and assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Tradition places Mary's death at Jerusalem or at Ephesus, where John was living.

On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII, exercising papal infallibility, declared in "Munificentissimus Deus" that it is a dogma of the Church "that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." As a dogma, the Assumption is a required belief of all Catholics; anyone who publicly dissents from the dogma, Pope Pius declared, "has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith."

While the Eastern Orthodox believe in the Dormition, they object to the papal definition of the dogma, seeing it as unnecessary, since belief in Mary's bodily assumption, tradition holds, goes back to apostolic times.

History Courtesy; Google

Independence Day of India

"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."

- Jawaharlal Nehru

(Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)

On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country. The British, had initially come for trade but gradually took over the total administration of the country.

At the strike of midnight of the August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free. It was a night of celebration all over the country.

Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15th August); Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country. The main program is held at the Red Fort where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns.

The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is a major highlight. Patrioticschool children add colors to the celebrations.

Delhi’s skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this day. Similar programmes are held at all the State capitals also.

The preparations begin a month in advance. Roads are decorated with flags and buntings. Buildings of national importance are illuminated.

Courtesy:Google

Read More

Jesus Is For All- Sunday Bible Reading In Gujarati

Please click on the video



- BBN

Read More

Christians in a public protest_Black Day

Photo google

India's Christians observe anniversary of official discrimination against dalits
August 10, 2011

Wearing black badges and raising black flags, Christians of different denominations joined together on August 10 to observe 'black day' to mark the 61st year of official discrimination against Christian dalits.

It was on August 10, 1950 that the federal government enacted the special legislation paving way for the constitutional discrimination against dalit Christians.

“Dalit”—the word literally meaning “trampled upon”--refers to members of the lowest castes, treated as “untouchables” in traditional Indian society. In 1950, the government made Hindu dalits are eligible for free education and quotas in government jobs and legislatures, in a bid to improve their social status.

While these statutory privileges were later extended to Sikh and Buddhist dalits, they are denied to Christian dalits--who account for Two-thirds of the 27 million Christians in India.

“In many places, the bishops themselves led the protests,” Father Cosmon Arokiaraj, secretary of the Dalit Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, told CWN from Lalgudi near Trichy in the southern Tamil Nadu state, where he led more than 1,000 Christians in a public protest.

The “black day” protest follows a July 25-28 hunger strike and march on parliament in New Delhi. That earlier protest was joined by nearly 50 Catholic bishops, and drew over 10,000 demonstrators.

News Courtesy:
www.catholicculture.org

Read More

Invite your friends and family to chat on BBN

[| Full Size ]

Thank you for staying connected
BBN

Read More

JESUS IS FOR ALL By Rev.Fr. Valentine de Souza Sj

Rev.Fr. Valentine  de Souza Sj

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) 14 August 2011

JESUS IS FOR ALL

Matthew 15, 21 -28

José Antonio Pagola Translated by Rev.Fr.Valantine de souza sj

It’s an amazing scene. A pagan woman comes to meet Jesus crying out for help. She is strong willed and pleads for compassion for her sick daughter as she was sure that God wants a life of dignity for all his children, no matter who they are:  pagans, or even women.

   Her request is straightforward: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly, tormented by a demon.” Her cry, however, fell on deaf ears: Jesus maintains a silence difficult to explain. Isn’t he moved to pity at the sight of the misfortune of that mother,  alone and  helpless?

   The tension mounts unbearably when Jesus breaks his silence only to flatly refuse to listen to the woman. His refusal is firm and springs from his desire to be faithful to the mission received from the Father: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

   The woman is not discouraged. She quickens her step, reaches the group, and prostrate at the feet of Jesus repeats her request: “Lord, help me”, – an echo of the pain of so many men and women who endure tragic conditions and do not belong to the group of that Healer. Must they remain excluded from his compassion?

   Jesus remains firm in his refusal:”It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” The woman is not subdued by the chilling coldness of Jesus. She does not argue with him, accepts his harsh comparison but draws a consequence which Jesus had not expected: “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” On God’s table there is bread for all.

   Jesus is taken by surprise. Listening to the depths of the desire of this pagan woman, he understands that what she asks for is precisely what God wants: “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.” The love of God for those who suffer knows no boundaries, recognizes no difference between believers and pagans. To attend to this woman does not go against the will of the Father but reveals its true scope.

   Christians must now learn to live with agnostics, pagans and the religiously indifferent. They aren’t adversaries to be got rid of. If we listen to their suffering we will find that they are fragile, vulnerable beings who seek, like us, a little light and inspiration to live.

   Jesus is not the property of Christians. His light and healing power belong to all. It is a mistake to lock ourselves within our groups and communities, turning away, excluding or condemning those not of our persuasion. We do the will of the Father only when we reach out to  every human being that suffers and groans looking for compassion.

***************

Jesus belongs to all

Source: URL of José Antonio Pagola's Buenas Noticias Web site 

http://sanvicentemartirdeabando.org

Website for Spanish original and translations: www.eclesalia.net

Jose Antonio Pagola,  vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by  (Valentine) Vally de Souza S.J.  vallydesouza@jesuits.net,   Mandal, Gujarat , India.

Konknni Translation by Vasco do Rego S.J., vdorego@gmail.com, Jesuit House, P.B.112, Panaji, Goa.

 

Read More

Jesus Walks On Water_ Sunday Bible Reading

બાઈબલ વાંચન અને બોધ આજે રજુ કરેલ છે. પહેલા વીડિઓમાં  શુભ સંદેશ અને બીજા વિડીઓમાં ફા. અનીલ સેવરીન  દ્વારા બોધ રજુ કરેલ છે .

Today there are two videos uploaded. The first video has Sunday Gospel Reading and the second video has E-sermon delivered by Rev. Fr. Anil Sevrin SJ

Sunday With Bible

Sunday With E-sermon

- BBN

Read More

Relic Of St. Don Bosco_Video

Many people from all over Gujarat visited the Relic (The Hand) Of St. Don Bosco at St. Don Bosco House in Makarpura, Baroda. The Relic arrived yesterday afternoon at 2:00 pm.

Rev. Bishop Godfrey Rosario, Baroda Dio. celebrated Mass at 6:30 pm. Many clergy joined the grand welcoming of the relic. There was also Katha Of Fr. Ignas Sj arranged at 9:00 pm., many people gathered to hear and relish the life of St. Don Bosco Today The Relic was kept open till 8:00 pm and the closing ceremony was celebrated by Rev. Arch. Bishop Stany  (Ghandhinagar Dio. Rev. Bishop thomas Macwan (Ahmedabad Dio.) and Rev. Bishop Godfrey Rosario (Baroda Dio.) 

The Relic will be taken to Nasik tonight. (as discussed with Fr. Mayank SDB)

Please click on the video to watch the Relic

Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Mayank Parmar SDB

- BBN

Read More

Don Bosco Photos-2

The Relic Is Kept as shown above

Read More

St. Don Bosco Relic In Makarpura, Baroda arrived Today

Dear Friends

Due to our maintenance work on BBN, we are not  able to upload the video of The Relic Of St. Don Bosco now but please enjoy the photographs of relic of Don Bosco which has arrived today at 2:00 pm and will be here at Makarpura Baroda till tomorrow (05-08-2011) evening. This is also to bring to your notice that it is The Relic ( The Hand) of Don Bosco is kept in transparent glass  in the middle of the Body shown in the below photo. We will be uploading the videos of the relic soon the problem resolves, mean while please stay tuned.

Relic: The Hand Of St. Don Bosco is kept in the middle of the Body below. the photos are clicked today at 2:00 pm



Relic Of St. Don Bosco  is kept in the middle of the Body (the Body is not real)

It is a historical event in Makarpura Baroda and for all Catholics. Let our Faith be stronger in Christ after visiting the relic of the Saint Don Bosco. 



The Hand (the Relic) Is kept near the hands 



Stay Tuned, Will be back soon, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 pm by Rev. Bishop Godfrey Rosario (Baroda Dio.) There will be also Katha Of Rev. Fr. Ignas Sj tonight. 

- BBN

  

Read More

BBN Under Maintenance

BBN Is At Work......>  >  >

Stay Tuned Will Be Back Soon

- BBN

Photo:Google

Read More