Feast of Christ the King - Valasan and Ahmedabad

Please click on the links for the celebration photos


Feast of Christ the King at Valasan - Nr. Karamsad


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Feast of Christ the King - Mt. Carmel to Mirzapur


Note: The report will be published soon

- BBN

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Ending the Year of Faith in South Gujarat at Mandal

To the sound of ALLELUIAS rising like a benign mushroom cloud into the atmosphere of South Gujarat, the Year of Faith came to a glorious end. People of many faiths or no faith gathered in the thousands filling the large, colourful tent designed to accommodate ten thousand devotees.

The star of the celebration was undoubtedly Fr. Anil Dev, whose faith in and love for the Word of God gave life, joy and vibrancy to the occasion. He is the charismatic head of Matrudham Ashram in Varanasi where thousands, mostly Hindus, gather every week-end to listen to the Word of God free from the complications of ritual and Canon law. (Watch him on U Tube or the TV channel ZeeJagran). He was ably supported by a team of lay preachers and a group of lay men and women who prayed night and day for the gift of the Spirit for preachers and faithful all through the event.

South Gujarat Catholics were well represented: devotees from 23 of 24 mission centres, from Jhalod in the North to Borpada in the South, made it to the festival of faith. Distance did not deter Bishop Godfrey and the Jesuit Provincial Changa from attending it. Accomodation was provided in the Hostels of the school, and Mahila Mandal halls for those who stayed overnight. A community kitchen on the grounds of Jagruti High. School run by the Christian Brothers provided meals, tea and snacks for those who attended the sessions.

Credit for the obvious success of the function goes to the members of the Parish Council of Mandal and their parish priests, Frs. Kishore and Francis who met every month for a year to plan the event. They had the generous help and experience of Fr. James Vaz who had earlier staged the opening of the Year of Faith in Dadhwada. Those who had it generously lent their expertise to the different kinds of jobs that had to be done. It was heartening to see the enthusiasm and joyous spirit with which the lay leaders, men and women, went about the tasks they had planned and taken responsibility for with a minimum of supervision but with great joy and spirit. Fr. Francis also prepared a brand new choir of boys and girls and a group of altar servers that included girls in smart uniforms just for the occasion.. Fr. Jelastine used his expertise in Charismatic preaching, prayer and singing to prepare the parish for the event with retreats in the villages and aided the main preacher during the convention.

An offshoot of the event was the interest of the missionaries of South Gujarat in the missionary methods of the Ashram in Varanasi so well adapted to the culture and genius of the nation. Fr. Anil has agreed to return in the very near future to train the missionaries and lay leaders of South Gujarat in the methods he has developed. He stressed the importance of breaking the Word of God for the continued development of the faith of the people.

Please watch the convention

 

- Rev. Fr. Vally de Souza,

   Mandal - Gujarat

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Bible Conviction - Mandal - Vyara

John 16:8 (NEB) "When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world, and show where right and wrong and judgment lie.

He will convict them of wrong..."The first work of the Holy Spirit is the conviction of sin. If we are temples of the Spirit, His presence, His name in us will convict us, and others, of sin. We will feel more affinity towards those who, like us, long for more conviction, repentance, and the power of God to live a life that will stand the test of fire.

Bible convention was held at Mandal-Vyara in South Gujarat on 15th -16th-17th Nov-2013. More than five thousands people from the interior villages of South Gujarat flocked to show love for Christ. The detailed report will be uploaded soon.

Please click on the video

Please click for the photos

Photos Of The Bible Conviction - Mandal-Vyara

- BBN

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Youth Seminar - Day 2

The day began with Nature meditation. Some of the youth felt that this was the first hand experience of being one with nature.

Then the first session began at 8.00 am on group building by Mr. Rajesh Christian. The session was well animated with lot of activities and input. The second session was conducted by Fr. K. Tony the parish priest of Limdapura parish on Today’s Youth. He stressed on the importance of family life and having parents and elders as their mentor.

After the tea break, Fr. Sandeep the Ahmdedabad diocese Youth director addressed the youth on “Youth and Values of life”. He guided the youth basing himself on Christ’s values to have value based life to be successful in life.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Macwan was the main celebrant for the day’s Eucharist. He was pleased to see so many youth participating in this seminar. Being the feast of All Saints day, in his Homily, he challenged the youth to be Saints. He cited few examples of saints whose body is still intact; namely St. Francis Xavier.

After sumptuous meal, the youth again gathered in the seminar hall at 2.30 pm. Sr. Fulmani, in charge of Prison Ministry for the diocese of Ahmedabad shared her experiences of animating the prison inmates. Mr. Deepak the president of Legion of Mary, informed the youth about his own experiences of being touched by Mother Mary and how he goes about spreading the devotion of Mary.

Today being the first Friday of the Month, Fr. Stanny The parish Priest of Umreth led the youth in adoration of Jesus.

This was followed by another session on “Youth and Public Life” by Fr. Joseph Appavoo and Mr. Vincent Luis. They challenged the youth to form a federation and come out strongly in public life and make difference in the society. Mr. Jashvant the convener of the St. Vincent De Paul also added to that saying how he tapped the local people to sponsor these three days event.

The climax of the day was the Night Dhamaka. The youth really showed their talents on the stage and made this evening wonderful. Around thirty youngsters participated in individual talent show and then the general Garba was organized. Mr. Shailesh Jadav, Mr. Jwalant and their team provided an excellent music while Mr. Nileshkumar was the singer of the day for Garba. The day ended on a happy note. 

News and photos

Rev. Fr. Mayank Parmar

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