Thousands of people participated in Adivasi Adikar Rally.

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Thousands of people participated in Adivasi Adikar Rally.

They were not brought by agents and enticed by false promises!  

They came on their own, dancing and singing...went back enriched, empowered and feeling proud of being adivasis, the original inhabitants of the place.

Photo - BBN

Photo-BBN

Jai Adivasi Maha Sangh (JAMS), is a people’s organization initiated by Rajpipla Social Service Society to empower the adivasis in Gujarat. It is spread over 1200 villages of eight districts of Gujarat  with a total membership of over 65,000 people. JAMS organized a 14 days motor cycle Rally, Adivasi Adhikaar Zhumbesh (Tribal Rights Rally) from 16th January to 29th January 2014 to create awareness among the adivasis about their fundamental and constitutional rights and to give them relevant informations that would help them to develop themselves. The rally started from Devmogra village in Sagbara Taluka with the blessings of Yahmogi (Adivasi  Kul Devi) and went through the villages of Sagbara, Dediapada, Netrang, Valia, Jhagedia, Nandod and Tilakwada Talukas in Narmada and Bharuch Districts and ended in Vanji village (Kevadia Area) in Nandod Taluka. The rally covered about 480 villages. It travelled about 1180 kms and conducted over 30 public meetings. Tribal rights awareness that was created and the  discussions during the meetings took place on the following points:

Photo - BBN

Ø      Lack of implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and the Gujarat High Court Judgement of 3rd May 2013.

Ø      Right To Food (RTF) Bill 2013, PDS and other government welfare schemes.

Ø      Kevadia Area Development Authority (KADA), Viyar Dam and proposed Tourism development in Kevadia Area that would displace over 70 vililages and affect the culture, morality and peace of the adivasi community living there

Ø      Problems and results of changing the original name of the adivasi community and  adding  words like ''hindu''  (Hindu-Vasava) or “koli” (koli Rathwa) to the name of the  adivasi community  in school leaving certificates and Jaatino Dakhlo (caste certificate) in Tribal areas.

Ø      Non implementation reservation in government jobs.

Ø      Right To Information (RTI) Act.

Ø      11 months contract basis appointments of Tribals in government jobs.

Ø      38 years old criteria for APL, BPL card finalization and demand for the

Ø      Gramsabhas to be given the right to decide these categories.

Ø       Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and its present situation in adivasi areas

Ø      Information, understanding and the Non-implementation of PESA Act in Vth scheduled areas.

Ø      Demanding irrigation facilities for the Tribal farmers of the dam affected reas from Ukai, Narmada and Karjan Dams.

Ø      Waste of enormous amount of money for the so called  ‘Unity statue’ and questioning the appropriateness of building such a gigantic statue when the adivas villages have no facilities for drinking water, electricity, roads, hospitals and other basic facilities. However, if at all a statue is bult it ahould be of  Birsha Munda statue instead of Sardar Patel in Kevadia Area.

Ø      Explanations and information about Jai Adivasi Maha Sangh.

At the end, a memorandum was prepared and submitted to Taluka authorities and the Gujarat Governor for further course of action.

Every day there were two meetings in the central villages and people from nearby villages joined in the rally and the meetings in big numbers. Every night there was a drama programme which gave entertainments and also created awareness about the adivasi situation and the need to understand the different Laws and  Acts. These drama programmes were centre of attraction aand added tot he number of participants.

Photo - BBN

It is estimated that the rally contacted almost 100,000 or more people through this   The adivasi Rights Rally received good responses from the people at the grass root level. The village people welcomed and took the rally to their village from the outskirt of the respective villages with traditional tribal musical instruments, dance and punja rites. The village people made all the necessary arrangements for the meetings and fed all the people who participated in the meetings. It is worth noting that all those who joined the rally .came with their own contribution at the local level. Besides these, people contributed Rs. 19040/- to the success of Tribal Right Rally in lok falo peti (people's contribution box) during the meetings.

-:JAI ADIVASI:

Rev. Fr. Xavier

 ભરૂચ અને નર્મદા જીલ્લાના આદિવાસીઓના વિવિધ પ્રશ્નો અંગે મોટર સાઈકલ રેલીનું આયોજન તા 16 જાન્યુઆરીથી 29 જાન્યુઆરી સુધી જય આદિવાસી મહાસંઘ- રાજપીપળા (જે 75 હાજર સભ્યો ધરાવે છે) તેના દ્વારા કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું.

રેવ. ફા. ઝેવિયર મંજુરન  અને રેવ. ફા જોન

કેનેડીના સાથ સહકાર અને મહેનતથી આ રેલીને મોટો પ્રતિસાદ અને આવકાર મળ્યો હતો.

Rev. Fr. John Kennedy

આ પ્રસંગના ફોટા જોવા માટે નીચે લિંક ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો. Please click the link for more photos.

Adivasi Adhikar Rally - Narmada- Bharuch

- BBN

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Feast Of St. John Bosco

Confessor, Founder, "Father and Teacher of Youth"
Born	16 August 1815 Castelnuovo d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Died	31 January 1888 (aged 72) Turin, Italy
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion
Beatified	2 June 1929, Rome by Pius XI
Canonized	1 April 1934, Rome by Pius XI
Majorshrine	The Tomb of St John Bosco, Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy
Feast	31 January
Patronage	Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians

16 August 1815
Castelnuovo d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy

31 January 1888 (aged 72)
Turin, Italy

Roman Catholic Church,
Anglican Communion

2 June 1929, Rome by Pius XI

1 April 1934, Rome by Pius XI

The Tomb of St John Bosco, Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy

31 January

Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians

St. John Bosco

John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in today’s schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting corporal punishment and placing students in surroundings removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the spiritual life with one’s work, study and play.

Encouraged during his youth to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then gathered young apprentices and taught them catechism.

After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, John opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, shoemaking and tailoring.

By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press for publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. His interest in vocational education and publishing justify him as patron of young apprentices and Catholic publishers.

John’s preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own helpers because of difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854 he and his followers informally banded together, inspired by St. Francis de Sales [January 24].

With Pope Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in 1859. Their activity concentrated on education and mission work. Later, he organized a group of Salesian Sisters to assist girls.

Comment:
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.

Quote:
“Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not education at all” (G.K. Chesterton, The Common Man).

Patron Saint of:
Boys
Editors
Youth

Source: americancatholic.org and wikipedia

Photo - Google

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આદિવાસીઓના વિવિધ પ્રશ્નો અંગે મોટર સાઈકલ રેલીનું આયોજન

Photo : BBN

 ભરૂચ અને નર્મદા જીલ્લાના આદિવાસીઓના વિવિધ પ્રશ્નો અંગે મોટર સાઈકલ રેલીનું આયોજન તા 16 જાન્યુઆરીથી 29 જાન્યુઆરી સુધી જય આદિવાસી મહાસંઘ- રાજપીપળા (જે 75 હાજર સભ્યો ધરાવે છે) તેના દ્વારા કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું.

 રેવ. ફા. ઝેવિયર મંજુરન  અને રેવ. ફા જોન કેનેડીના સાથ સહકાર અને મહેનતથી આ રેલીને મોટો પ્રતિસાદ અને આવકાર મળ્યો હતો.

વધુ ન્યુઝ અને વીડિઓ ટૂંક સમયમાં BBN ઉપર રજુ કરવામાં આવશે.

આ પ્રસંગના ફોટા જોવા માટે નીચે લિંક ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો. Please click the link for more photos.

Adivasi Adhikar Rally - Narmada- Bharuch

- BBN

       

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Mother Of Forsaken-Baroda - Religious get together

તા 26 જાન્યુ -2014 ના રોજ ફતેગંજ વડોદરા ખાતે આવેલ નિરાધારોની માતા યાત્રાધામે ધાર્મિક મેળાની ઉજવણી કરવામાં આવી હતી. આ ધાર્મિક મેળો દર વર્ષે આ દિવસે રાખવામાં આવે છે. ધાર્મિક મેળા અગાઉ  નવ દિવસની ભક્તિનું આયોજન  દરરોજ સાંજે કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું જેનાથી ભક્ત જનોને ભક્તિનો લાવો મળ્યો હતો. 30 હજારની આસ પાસ આવેલ ભક્તજનો પવિત્ર મારિયા સાથે પ્રભુને વિનંતી કરતા જોવા મળ્યા હતા. અહીયા સવારથી ખ્રિસ્તયજ્ઞ  સમય અંતરે રાખવાથી ભક્તજનો લાભ લઇ શક્યા હતા. બપોરે ત્રણ વાગ્યા પછી સરઘસ રાખવામાં આવ્યું હતું જેમાં મોટી સંખ્યામાં ઉમટેલા ભક્તજનોએ પ્રાર્થના સાથે ભાગ લીધો હતો. સરઘસ બાદ વડોદરા ધર્માંપ્રાંતના માનનીય બિશપશ્રી ગોડફ્રી દે રોસારીઓ દ્વારા ખ્રિસ્તયજ્ઞ અર્પણ કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો. આ મેળામાં ઉમટેલી માનવ મેદની જોવા માટે વીડિઓ નિહાળશો.   

Please click on the video

વધુ ફોટો માટે નીચે ક્લીક કરશો. Please click for more photos.

નિરાધારોની માતા- Mother Of Forsaken

- BBN

Bhumel Broadcasting Network

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Best Booth level Officer Award - બેસ્ટ બુથ લેવલ ઓફિસર

લોના શ્રેયસ મેકવાન

આજે તા 25 -જાન્યુ -2014 વડોદરા ખાતે રાષ્ટ્રીય મત દિનની ઉજવણી કરવામાં આવી હતી. આ પ્રસંગે  વડોદરામાં  228 વોટીંગ બુથ આવેલ છે જેમાંથી ચાર બેસ્ટ ઓફિસરોની એવોર્ડ માટે પસંદગી કરવામાં આવી હતી. ચાર સભ્યોમાંથી ત્રણ કેથોલીકોની પસંદગી કરવામાં આવી હતી.

આપણાં સમાજને ગૌરવશાળી બનાવનાર એવા લોના શ્રેયસ મેકવાન,  સેજલ ડાભી અને સુરેશભાઈ મેકવાનને બેસ્ટ બુથ લેવલ ઓફિસર માટેનો એવોર્ડ વડોદરાના ટીડીઓ અને કલેકટર દ્વારા એનાયત કરવામાં આવ્યો છે. ઉમદા અને શ્રેષ્ટ મહેનતવાળા શિક્ષિકાઓ અને શિક્ષકનું ઉદાહરણ રજુ કરનાર આ ત્રણેય તારલાઓને અભિનંદન અને હાર્દિક શુભેચ્છાઓ.  

Photo Shreays Macwan
News:  BBN

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Rice to Rise! - Reflection By Rev. Fr. Girish

Reflection

Rice to Rise!

Introduction

In 1988 when I was in the Jesuit Juniorate at Premal Jyoti in Ahmedabad, I learnt a saying in English: “Reading makes a full man; writing an exact man; Conference makes a ready man”. After so many years, today in 2014 while being a missionary in the new phase of evangelization, not only I understand the meaning of such a saying but I am very much part of it and promote the same saying with full enthusiasm and vitality to all persons whom I encounter in my life as a pilgrim. Truly, reading makes a full man. This is my experience and I continue to maintain such a rich practice of reading while being involved in the lives of the people. As a Jesuit missionary, in order to be creative, practice of consistent reading does help and I realize that it should not to be sacrificed at the cost of over involvements. Text and Context must go hand in hand.

This is what has happened a few days ago to me while reading the magazine “THE WEEK”, the January 12, 2014 issue. On page 56, I read about “Rice and Shine – A revolutionary farming system is working wonders in Nalanda district”, in Bihar, India. To substantiate such farming system the author recalls from history and boldly mentions: “Reaping Profits: The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an organic technique for increasing the yield of paddy. It was developed in Madagascar in 1983 by Henri de Laulanie, a French Jesuit”.

What a JOY to read about one of our elder Jesuit brothers’ success story on his SRI contribution and its global impact from the Indian weekly magazine! This at once generated a special interest in me to know MORE about our successful brother priest’s single minded missionary endeavour among the people of Madagascar, an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Southeast Africa.

After having energized through my little search, my purpose here is to share about the received energy and to lead you to our own Jesuit WELL and to make you to drink from the same WELL of inspirations. Let this process of knowing and learning from our own rich traditions motivate all of us while we celebrate the event of our Society’s Restoration and to have such a frontier ‘apostolic madness’ like our Fr. Henri de Laulanie in all our ministries.

The Person Fr. H. Laulanie

The Jesuit visionary and agronomist, Henri de Laulanie was born on February 22, 1920 in Poitou, France. He arrived in Madagascar in 1961 and died there at the age of 75 years on 23 June, 1995. His body rests in the cemetery at Ambohipo.

As part of the Catholic Mission, Fr. Henri de Laulanié was sent to aid communities of the Fathers and Sisters to intervene technically with agricultural training centers, craft and household under the concept of the development of any person and all persons. He was the first agronomist who discovered the System of Rice Intensification. His experiments are compiled in a book with the evocative title: Rice in Madagascar. He dreamt and worked for the rural people of Madagascar the socio-economic leap into the 21st century. His whole commitment was to change the mentality of the Malagasy peasants from low thinking to high thinking and acting. Today, it is highly remarkable that in all over the world his SRI principles are taught through various agricultural universities. In this way his SRI has become a heritage of humanity and treasure of Jesuits.

The Four SRI Principles of Fr. H. Laulanie

1. Early and healthy transplant – Seedlings are transplanted when they are eight to twelve days old.

2. Reduce plant density – The roots are carefully protected to minimize ‘transplanting shock’.

3. Improved, organic soil conditions – To avoid root competition and to encourage faster growth, seedlings are planted 25cm apart in a square grid pattern. Soil is enriched with organic matter. Some farmers use urea to achieve balanced fertilization.

4. Reduced and controlled water application – Ten days after transplanting, a rotary hoe is used every seven to ten days. It keeps weeds under control, provides superficial tillage, aerates soil, prunes roots of the crop and removes water patches in the field.

Speaking about SRI, it is said that besides rice the system can be used in other crops like wheat, mustard, finger millet and in vegetables like brinjal, tomato and chilli.

Conclusion

While appreciating her farmers of Nalanda, Ms. Palka Sahni, the District Magistrate says: “There is a need to create more icons like these farmers and provide marketing linkages for their produce”. Well, all these are possible today because of our committed Jesuit missionary like Fr. Henri de Laulanié, the icon of our times. He had a clear goal for Madagasgar. Today, besides Madagascar, especially the farmers of our India’s Nalanda reap and experience ananda (bliss) because of his sincere attempt. His sweated labour is bearing fruits. All for God’s greater glory – ad mejorem Dei gloriam!

From now on, by promoting the System of Rice Intensification, can we, as responsible eco-friendly friends,

commit ourselves here in Gujarat to make our poor and the marginalized farmers to experience such internal and external ananda? Is it possible? When? Only when we rise above from our own little ‘clean’ comfort zones and encounter them in their ‘dirty’ agricultural fields by standing at their side!

- Girish Santiago, SJ

Photos: tefysaina.org

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“SAPI prepares Peoples’ Manifesto in view of General Election

 Around 65 members of South Asian Peoples’ Initiatives (SAPI) from all over India gathered at Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, during 9-12-2014, and brought out the Peoples’ Manifesto in view of the forthcoming general election in May 2014. The People’s Manifesto is the outcome of their deliberations on 8 thematic issues, namely, economic, social, political, educational, health, cultural, environmental, governance and security.

 Containing proposals and recommendations, the People’s Manifesto has been framed with the objective of making people aware of their legitimate rights and of the responsibility of those who contest the elections. SAPI expects citizens to use the ballot in the interest of all the people. The SAPI members see in the upcoming elections an opportunity to assertively regain what is due to the people of the country, by making the aspiring representatives to provide an assurance that they will remain faithful to the Constitutional mandate. They plan to place the People’s Manifesto before various political parties as people’s agenda for good governance.

 South Asian Peoples' Initiatives (SAPI) is a civil society network of more than 100 secular organizations in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. SAPI was floated in 2003, a little before the Mumbai World Social Forum 2004. Facilitated and animated by the Jesuits of South Asia, specifically by their social action wing known as Jesuits in Social Action (JESA), SAPI envisions a democratic, egalitarian, secular, cultural-pluralist society, and strives for its realisation through collective search and action with and on behalf of the marginalized communities: Dalits, Adivasis/ tribals/ indigenous peoples, women, unorganized workers, youth, children, refugees and minorities.

 In this connection, I request you to kindly publish this news on your website/newspaper in the interest of your esteemed readers. Please share it with your students too so that they come to know the realities.

Photo and news

Sannybhai

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Capturing the Essence -Pope Francis - By Rev. Fr. Joe Mattam SJ

રેવ​.ફા. જો મટ્ટમ, કે જેઓ થિઓલોજીના પ્રોફેસર છે, તેમના માર્ગદર્શન હેઠળ નામદાર પોપ ફ્રાન્સિસનાં પત્ર ઉપર ચર્ચા- વિચારણા મુદ્દે એક સેમિનારનું આયોજન રેવ.ફા.વિનાયક જાદ​વના સંચાલન હેઠળ પ્રેમલ જ્યોતિ, અમદાવાદ ખાતે તા. ૨૩-૦૧-૨૦૧૪નાં રોજ કરવામાં આવ્યુ હતું.

આ સેમિનારમા ફાધર​, સિસ્ટર તેમજ ધર્મજનો મળીને લગભગ ૭૦ થી વધુ લોકોએ ભાગ લીધો હતો..આ સેમિનારમાં રેવ્.ફા જો મટ્ટમએ નામદાર પોપશ્રીના પત્ર વાંચી મહત્વની વધુ માહિતી આપી હતી. તેમણે નામદાર પોપના શબ્દો "દરેક કેથલિક વ્યક્તિએ તેનું જીવન ઈસુ જેવું જીવ​વું જોઈએ અને સમુહમાં વાતો કરતી વખતે પણ ઈસુને આપણી મધ્યે લાવ​વા જોઈએ અને ઈસુની વાતો કરવી જોઈએ અને દરેક માન​વી અને સમગ્ર વિશ્વમાં ઈસુના નામનો ફેલાવો, તેમની મહિમા અને તેમના યશોગાન ધ્વારા કરવો જોઇએ."

આ સેમીનાર ને અંતે ટૂંકી ચર્ચા રાખવામાં આવી હતી. ભવિષ્યમાં આવા વિષયો ઉપર અવાર નવાર આવા સેમિનારો યોજવામાં આવે તો ઘણા લાભદાઈ ધર્મોજનોને થઇ શકે તેવી લાગણી સેમિનાર બાદ ભાગ લેનારમાં જોવા મળી હતી.

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CAPTURING THE ESSENCE - POPE FRANCIS

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Funeral Mass - Late Sr. Sevrina

  Sr. Sevrina died today on 21-01-2014, Her funeral was at Our Lady of Pillar Hospital -Fatheganj Badoda - Gujarat Sr. Sevrina was born on 23-Sep-1946. Her native place is Goa but born and brought up at Dahod-Gujarat.

She joined the St. Anne Convent-Gujarat Province in 1963. She took her final vows in 1978 and celebrated her Golden Jubilee on 05--No-2013 last year. 

 Sr. Sevrina was the first missionary sister who worked in North Gujarat with Rev. Fr. Garitz SJ. She worked very hard to start the mission at Mokasan in North Gujarat. She was known for her hard work for the greater glory of God. She was sent to Spain and South Africa for the mission work. Wherever she was sent, she shared Christ and His values with all. She celebrated her Golden Jubilee on 05-Nov-2013.

May her soul rest in peace.

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સિ.સેવ્રીના, ૨૧-૦૧-૨૦૧૪ ના રોજ મૃત્યુ પામ્યા હતા. તેઓની અંતિમવિધિ "અવર લેડી પિલાર હોસ્પિટલ"-ફતેહગજ, વડોદરા મુકામે રાખવામાં આવેલ હતી.

સિ.સેવ્રીનાનો જન્મ ૨૩ સપ્ટેમ્બર ૧૯૪૬ માં થયો હતો. તેઓ ૧૯૬૩ માં સેન્ટ એન કોન્વેન્ટ ગુજરાત પ્રાંત માં જોડાયા હતા. તેઓએ ગયા વર્ષે ૫ નવેમ્બર-૨૦૧૩ ના રોજ તેઓની ગોલ્ડન જ્યુબિલીની ઉજવણી કરી હતી. તેમણે ઉત્તર ગુજરાતમાં મોકસણ ખાતે મિશન શરૂ કરવા માટે ખૂબ જ સખત મહેનત કરી હતી. તેઓને જ્યાં પણ મોકલવામાં આવ્યા હતા ત્યાં તેઓએ પ્રભુ ઈસુના સેતુ બનવાનું કામ કર્યું હતું અને તેમનાં ગુણોનું સિંચન કર્યું હતું

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Funeral - Late Sr. Sevrina

- BBN

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RIP - Sr. Sevrina - St. Anne Convent -Baroda

Sr. Sevrina (St. Anne Convent) died around 12:00 am today at Lady Pillar - Baroda. Her funeral will be at 3:00 Pm today.

Funeral Mass at Lady Pillar -Fatheghanj - Baroda
Time : 3:00 pm

Note: Now it is raining in Baroda, If anyone wants to pay the last visit, Do carry an umbrella.

BBN - Bhumel Broadcasting Network

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Seminar for an Ideal Village - Deep - Don Bosco - Dakor

આદર્શ ગામ માટે સેમીનાર-  દિપ- ડોન બોસ્કો - ડાકોર ખાતે

દીપ ડોન બોસ્કો - ડાકોર

 સામાજિક સંસ્થા દીપ ડોન બોસ્કો - ડાકોર ખાતે તા. 16-01-2014 ના રોજ ડાયરેક્ટર ફા.આઈઝેકના નેતૃત્વ હેઠળ આદર્શ ગામ તથા પીઆરએ અંગે એક સેમીનાર રાખવામાં આવી ગયો. આ પ્રસંગે આમંત્રિત મહેમાનો ઠાસરા તાલુકા વિકાસ અધિકારીશ્રી ડી. ડી . સાધુ સાહેબ, "દ્રીષ્ટિ"ડોન બોસ્કોના ડાયરેક્ટર ફા મયંક પરમાર, ફાલ્ગુની બેન  તથા સિ. વંદના , મિ. મેલ્વિન  પાંગ્યા તથા મનીષભાઈ ના હસ્તે દીપ પ્રાગટ્ય કર્યું હતું

 ત્યારબાદ આમંત્રિત મહેમાનોનું  આવકાર સાથે સ્વાગત કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું. રેવ. ફા. મયંક પરમારે આદર્શ ગામની સમજુતી આપી હતી. ત્યારબાદ ઠાસરા તાલુકામાંથી આવેલ સરપંચશ્રીઓ દ્વારા તેમના અનુભવો રજુ કરવામાં આવ્યા હતા. તાલુકા અધિકારી શ્રી સાધુ સાહેબે આદર્શ ગામ  વિષય  ઉપર પ્રવચન આપી સર્વેને સાથ સહકાર આપી વિકાસ તરફ આગન વધવાની હાંક આપી હતી.

 બોસ્કો ગ્રામીણ વિકાસ મંડળ  વાલવાંડે  - મુંબઈથી રિસોર્સ  પર્સન મિ. મેલ્વિને પીઆરએ પદ્ધતિને ઝાંખી કરાવી હતી ત્યારબાદ   ઠાસરા તાલુકામાં આદર્શ ગામ 26 ગામના સરપંચોને  ફોર્મનું વિતરણ કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું.

 આ સેમીનાર ઠાસરા તાલુકાના સરકારી કર્મચારીઓ, તલાટીઓ, સરપંચો, સ્વસહાય જૂથના પ્રમુખ અને મંત્રીઓ સૌ મળી 170 વ્યક્તિઓએ ભાગ લીધો હતો.

 આ તમામ કાર્યક્રમની સફળતા પાછળ  રેવ. ફા. આઈઝેક તથા સ્ટાફના  વિજય પરમાર, સુશીલા ખ્રિસ્તી, સુમિત્રા સોલંકી તથા મનીષા પરમારની મહેનતથી સર્વેમાં આનંદની લહેર જોવા મળતી હતી.

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Photos of the program - આદર્શ ગામ માટે સેમીનાર- દિપ- ડોન બોસ્કો - ડાકોર 

In English

Seminar for an Ideal Village - Deep - Don Bosco - at Dakor

  A seminar for an ideal village and PRA was held under the leadership of the Deep-Don Bosco director Rev. Fr Isaac on 16th Jan 2014 at Deep-Don Bosco-Dakor. The lighting of the lamp was done by the TDO (Taluka Development Officer) of Thasra-Gujarat, Rev. Fr.Mayank Parmar, the director of ‘Drishti’ of Don Bosco-Kapadvanj, Falguniben, Sr. Vandana, Mr. Melvin and Mr. Manish to invoke God’s blessings. 

 The invited guests were greeted with a warm welcome. Rev. Fr Mayank explained about ‘Aadarsh(Ideal) Village to the gathere people. Two of the invited sarpanchshree shared their experiences. The Taluka Officer Mr. Sadhu gave a speech on aadarsh(ideal) village and motivated the invitees to step forward on the path of development with the co-operation of each other.

 The resource person Mr. Melvin from Bosco Rural Development Board-Mumbai explained about PRA method(system). After that the forms of Aadarsh village were distributed among the sarpanchs of 26 villages.

 Around 170 People including government officers, talati and sarpanchs of Thasra taluka took part in the seminar.

 All appreciated the successful seminar and the credit goes to Rev. Fr Isaac,  the staff members Vijay Parmar , Sushila Christian, Sumitra Solanki and Manisha Parmar.

BBN - Bhumel Broadcasting Network

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Senior citizen gathering at Nirmal Mariyam Devalay - Nadiad

Nadiad Deanery organised a senior citizen gathering at St. Mary's School-Nadiad 19-jan-2014. Around 200 people gathered and shared the joy and happiness with each other. Rev. Fr. Prakash Minj, Rev. Fr. Mary Joseph and Rev. Fr. David Parmar conducted the program with various games and inspirational talks. Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Martin SFX the deanery dean and the parish priest of Vadtal parish priest.

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Senior citizen gathering at Nirmal Mariyam Devalai - Nadiad


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BBN - Bhumel Broadcasting Network

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આજનો શુભ સંદેશ રવિવાર 19-01-2014

યોહાન:- ૧: ૨૯-૩૪

બીજે દિવસે ઇસુને પોતા તરફ આવતા જોઇને યોહાન બોલી ઊઠયા, "જુઓ પેલું ઇશ્વરનું ઘેટું! એ દુનિયાનું પાપ હરી લેશે. એને જ વિશે હું કહેતો હતો કે,"મારી પાછળ એવો એક માણસ આવે છે જેનું સ્થાન મારા કરતા આગળ છે. કારણ હું જન્મ્યો તે પહેલાં પણ તે હતો જ." હું પોતે એને ઓળખતો નહોતો.પણ પાણીથી સ્નાનસંસ્કાર કર​વવા હું આવ્યો તેનો હેતુ એ જ હતો કે, ઇસ્રાયલ આગળ તે પ્રગટ થાય."

પછી યોહાને પ્રતિ‌‌‌‌ પૂર્વક જણાવ્યું,"મેં પ​વિત્ર આત્માને પારેવાના રૂપમાં આકાશમાંથી ઊતરતો અને એના ઉપર બેસતો જોયો છે. હું પોતે પણ એને ઓળખતો નહોતો, પણ જેણે મને પાણીથી સ્નાનસંસ્કાર કર​વવાને મોકલ્યો હતો, તેણે મને કહ્યું હતું,"જયારે તું પ​વિત્ર આત્માને કોઇની ઉપર ઊતરતો અને બેસતો જુએ ત્યારે જાણવું કે પ​વિત્ર આત્માથી જે સ્નાનસંસ્કાર કર​વવાનો છે તે એ છે." મેં નજરોનજર એ જોયું છે, અને હું પ્રતિ પૂર્વક કહું છું કે, એ ઈશ્વરનો પુત્ર છે."

આ પ્રભુની વાણી છે....

Special Thanks

Dolly Macwan

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Funeral service of Rev. Fr. Bernard Peris - Letter By Rt. Bishop Thomas Macwan

Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters,

 We are just back to the Diocese after the funeral service of Rev. Fr. Bernard Peris in Pezar parish of Mangalore Diocese.

  Rev. Fr. Bernard Peris collapsed and passed away due to a massive heart attack in Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Mangalore on 15^th January, 2014 around 7.30 p.m. He was at home undergoing treatment for renal problem. We visited the home of Fr. Bernard on 16^th evening and prayed with the family members and expressed our sincere condolences to them.

  The funeral Mass was held in his home parish. The Vicar General of Mangalore diocese Rev. Fr. Dennis, Frs. Rocky Pinto, Lawrence Martis, Vincent D’Souza (Junior), Antonappa and I were present along with a number of priests who were friends and seminary companions of late Rev. Fr. Bernard Peris.

  Fr. Rocky Pinto was the main celebrant and the homily was preached by me in English which was translated by Rev. Fr. Ronald Ferrao of Mangalore Diocese. At the end of the Mass Fr. Vincent D’Souza gave a touching Shradhanjali to Fr. Bernard in Konkani. The blessing of the body in the Church and funeral service in the cemetery, were carried out by me in English. It was very painful and hard to give this send off to our beloved priest Fr. Bernard Peris who served our diocese for 25 years. We will all miss him.

  Today morning we paid a courtesy visit to Rt. Rev. Aloysius D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore diocese and he expressed his condolences to all the Priests, Religious and Faithful of our diocese. 

  We have planned Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Fr. Bernard on 23^rd January, 2014 at St. Mary’s Church, Nadiad at 4 p.m. followed by Shradhanjali to him.

 We request you to be present for both these services. Parish Priests are requested to make announcements in all the Masses this Sunday the 19^th and 22^nd Wednesday in your parishes so that the Faithful and the Religious too may be able to take part in these services.

Yours devotedly in Christ

+ Thomas Macwan

Bishop of Ahmedabad

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An intervew with Sr. Lucy Columban - St.Anne’s school Deesa

St.Anne’s school Deesa shared Christmas joy with the students and parents on 23rd December-2013.There are 2300 students in the school & majority of them are non Christians. School celebrates all the festivals. But Christmas is something different than other feasts. Students and staff all participated in the Christmas card competition, Crib competition, Christmas tree decoration competition and Rangoli competition. After that there was a cultural program conducted by teachers and students. All of them who were present over there enjoyed and experienced the joy, happiness, love and peace of Christ through different activities and competitions.Their hearts were really filled up with the love of baby Jesus.The principal of St.Anne’s school, Sr. Lucy Columban wanted to share the joy of the birth of baby Jesus not only with the students but also with the neighboring slum and in order to spread the love, joy and happiness among the poor the students, staff & all the parents celebrated Christmas with them in the afternoon.The students were collecting the house hold things for the poor before one month ago. And they distributed the things like clothes, grains, vegetables and other necessary things to all the needy people.The students, sisters and teachers were very happy to share the joy of Christmas. All experienced That God is love and He lives among us and so we share our lives with whom we live and where we are.

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Sr. Kalavati 

BBN -  Bhumel Broadcasting News

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BBN - E-Ministry, a Boon to Church

E-Ministry, a Boon to Church

BBN in Smart companion 2011

All that he has is a small computer with a slow Internet connection.Sometimes he has to wait for hours to upload,and yet Vijay Mcwan’s zeal drives him. All those who have an I-connection in and around his parish keenly look out for his postings on the blog-spot http://vijaymacwan.blogspot.com/. The Bhumel Broadcast News –BBN relayed here is his attempt at catechizing. “I started this website because I want to do something for God and people. I bring news and events to all through my website.

 It does cost but I feel immense joy to spread the Good News in my own way - my e ministry. I want to be a bridge between God and my people by sharing important news and events. I find the blog an effective way to reach out also to my Gujarati brothers and sisters who are away from home land,” Vijay Macwan sums up his vision. Once a Jesuit novice, he now works as a senior officer in a Call Centre in Ahmadabad, which sustains his family of wife and a school-going child. The 50 mile motor ride each day from his village to the office is no excuse for lack of time. Macwan, 35, is the sort of young man we wish catholic laymen to be. Although he could not make it as a priest, he continues to be a missionary. In his parish Macwan acts almost like a catalyst to Basic Ecclesiastical Community and his main tool, his website. Charismatic and dynamic, he speaks warmly of his parish, Bhumel, describing it as “the place where real Christianity is practiced even today.

  It is not exactly their activities and celebrations but their genuine concern for each other – for spiritual welfare, financial needs and support to women”. In the intense spiritual life of his parish, prayer, song and dance play an important role. Bhumel has produced many vocations - priests and nuns- to the Church. Vijay is happy to narrate how the parish has ensured to keep even small children active. Right from the start, they are helped to feel that they can make a significant contribution to the well being of their families and community. He animates a small group called Jagruti Bal Parivar (JaBaPa). “The children began their first ministry by conducting prayers in every house”, he says. JaBaPa has now extended its activities, assuming some liturgical responsibilities in the parish. conducting a Sunday school, arra Yet the life of the parish does not focus entirely on the children.

 There are approximately 350 Catholic adults, representing 55 families in an area where the total adult population is almost 4,000. Most of the people are Hindus, the ‘aborigines’ of the area who, in spite of their rich, vibrant and ancient culture, are still simple and educationally backward. “ It is not only Catholic information that I give in BHUMEL News, but all that helps to live a sane life. We cannot separate the spiritual and the material. My dream is to see my church ever more participatory. And to do that one must be in the know of what is happening and why it is happening. I also wish that people around us know that a Christian community exists here and that we practice faith in specific Gujarati ways.” Daily mass readings, current happenings in video format etc., posted on his site provide for the faithful to live enlightened lives. In fact, every Indian parish needs a ‘Vijay Macwan’ today!

G. Anoop Kumar

This was published in January 2011. Do note that now i have given myself fully for this e-ministry.

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RIP - Fr. Bernard Peris Ahmedabad Dio.died in Mangalore

Fr. Bernard Peris (1958-2014)

Rev. Fr. Bernard Peris was born on 18th December, 1958 to Late Mr. Paul Peris and Late Mrs.  Theresa Peris in Pezar, Mangalore. He joined St. Joseph Minor Seminary, Mangalore in 1977 and pursued studies to become priest for the diocese of Ahmedabad. He was ordained priest for the diocese of Ahmedabad on 4th April, 1989.

 After his ordination he served the Diocese mainly as an assistant and later on parish priest during his 25 years of priestly life. He served in Radhanpur, Petlad, Deesa, Jesus Nagar, Camp parish, Cathedral parish, Umreth and Mehmdabad. He loved the poor and was very helpful to the needy. Being a man of prayer, he was in communion with the Lord sitting for long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. A priest who prayed for the needs of the Church and those who asked him to pray for their needs.

He served the Diocese as a hard worker in the Lord’s Vineyard. While in the Cathedral parish for a couple of years, he helped Bishop Thomas Macwan - Ahmedabad dio. in person on various occasions. Showing care and concern towards visitors was his motto. He has been a wonderful priest who served hospitality to the guests. He was a priest who was ready to forgive and forget.

By nature he was concerned for the poor and the sick.  Often he visited the hospitals and prayed on the sick. He loved to conduct charismatic Prayer and brought healing touch to many people.  He had a special devotion to Mother Mary and he never missed the recitation of Rosary.  Although he appeared physically mighty in structure yet he was simple, soft, friendly, approachable and gentle.

He was presently doing studies in Spirituality at A.V.T. Carmelaram, Banglore. While in Bangalore he developed renal problem for which he was under medication and was relaxing at home. The sad moment came on the 16th around 7.30 p.m. when he had to be admitted in Muller’s hospital, Mangalore for chest pain. The attack was severe which resulted into Cardiac Arrest.

The Diocese of Ahmedabad has lost a fine, hardworking and a praying priest. It has shocked the diocese for his sudden death.


May his Soul Rest in Peace

News By Rev. Fr. Avinash

- BBN

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Recovering the freshness of the Gospel

Second Sunday after Christmas

19 January 2014

José Antonio Pagola

Recovering the freshness of the Gospel
 

 In the prologue of the Gospel of John, the writer makes two basic statements that oblige us to revise radically the way we live the Christian faith after twenty centuries of losing our way not a few times, reductionism and giving importance to things hardly faithful to the Gospel of Jesus.

 This is the first statement: “The Word of God became flesh.” God has not remained silent, imprisoned forever in his mystery. He has spoken to us. But he has not revealed himself to us through concepts and doctrines. His Word has been incarnated in the sublime life of Jesus so that even the most simple people can understand and welcome him.

 The second statement runs thus: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” We theologians speak much about God, but none of us has seen him. Religious leaders and preachers speak much about him with confidence, but none of us has seen his face. Only Jesus, the only Son of the Father, has told us what God is like, how much he loves us, and how he wants to build a more humane world for all.

 These two statements are in the background of the renewal program of Pope Francis. So he working for a Church rooted in the Gospel of Jesus, without being entangled in doctrines and customs not directly connected with the core of the Gospel.” If we do not take this course of action, “it will not be the Gospel we proclaim, but some doctrinal or moral points we make that flow from particular ideological positions.

 The attitude of the Pope is clear. Only in Jesus has the compassion of God been revealed to us. So we have to return to the transforming power of the first proclamation of the Gospel, without eclipsing the Good News of Jesus and “without getting obsessed with a number of doctrines we try to impose by dint of insistence.

 The Pope is thinking of a Church in which the Gospel can recover its power to attract people, without being confused with other ways of understanding and living the Christian faith today. So he calls us “to recover the original freshness of the Gospel” as the most beautiful, the greatest, the most attractive and, at the same time, the most “necessary”, without locking Jesus up in our boring outlines.

 We cannot allow ourselves at this time to live the faith without promoting conversion to Jesus Christ and to his Gospel in our communities for which the Pope himself is asking all of us to put into practice with courage and generosity his orientations without fear or standing in the way.

Recover the original freshness of the Gospel

Translated by Rev. Fr. Valantine de souza SJ

BBN - Bhumel Broadcasting Network

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4th Birthday Of BBN -14-Jan-2014

Dear All,

We are celebrating 4 years of BBN e-ministry today. We remember each one of you in a special way to thank you.

This was the day in 2010 we launched BBN for the greater glory of God, to unite each one of us in one place, to share Christ with the aim of making church participatory (Of the people, by the people and for the people)

We also thank you for making us a successful bridge between Christ and people, Today BBN has grown from Gujarat to 167 countries, and the credit goes to each one of you. Thank you all for your great support for BBN.

BBN Specially thanks peopel and clergy of Gujarat Church and its spiritual fathers Rev. Fr. Jose Changanacherry, Rev. Fr. Irudayaraj, Rev. Fr. Vinayak Jadav and Rev. Fr. Mayank Parmar for guiding us for sharing Christ in a vibrant way.

Our immense joy to have you dear people from all over the world. Stay connected always.

In Him
Vijay BBN

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National Youth Day celebration at Limdapura.

Youth, Unity & Uniformity

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”

-1 Timothy 4:12

With a vision to utilize the strength of youth and reinforcing them to lead the society , National Youth Day celebration was held at Holy Spirit Paris Church –Limdapura, on 12th Jan,2014, Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In presence of Rev.Fr. Tony, the Paris Priest, Limdapura and Fr.Sandip, the Youth Director, around 25 volunteers gathered to revive the youth activities in the Parish.

 Mr. Robert Parmar, Asst. Professor in English, delivered a speech on ‘Youth for change’. He discussed various issues of Christian society and the challenges in today’s era. He said that there is a positive change in the condition of Christian society in Gujarat. We are still a ‘Developing Society’ and so there are certain areas that need attention and serious efforts to reach a status of ‘Developed Society’.

 He presented his views on the role of youth to lead the society to the aimed status. He pointed out the factors affecting the growth of youth and offered some suggestions to tackle them. He focused on Unity, image-building and Uniformity in youth.

 There was a healthy discussion on building up a team-spirit, challenges, solutions and various activities, after the speech that ended with resolution to forming a youth-team consisting of representatives from each village and determination to carry out the mission with all sincerity.

 Rev. Fr. Tony suggested the group to be self-dependent and stand firm in the mission taken up. Fr. Sandeep also showed his readiness to consider the suggestions from the group and promises his assistance for the same. Mr. Hemant, Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Vijay BBN, provided valuable inputs for better implementation of the activities planned.

Mr. Robin, Bhalej, offered vote of thanks and the meet ended with light refreshment and note of hope for a desired follow up.

- Mr. Alpesh (Samarkha)   

Please click for the photos of Youth Day celebration at Limdapura.

Youth Day Celebration Photos

- Photos : Francis Parmar BBN

- BBN

Bhumel Broadcast News

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16th Annual Day Celebration at CJM School - Petlad

"Service to Humanity Is Service To God''

 16th Annual day celebration was held on 21st Dec 2013 in the CJM High School, Mariampura, Petlad.Beautiful dances were choreographed by the teachers of the school."Service to Humanity Is Service To God'' was the theme of the annual day which was spread among the audience through a meaningful skit of "the fourth wise man"(magi raja) with the melodious songs and fantastic dances. School activities were shown to the parents through power point presentation. On this beautiful celebration scholarship was distributed to the needy students of the school. Certificates and medals were also allotted to the students who scored highest marks in their respective classes.

 The presence of Dr. Rashmin Cecil - Chief Guest and Sr. Rosaria - The Provincial of the Convent Of Jesus and Mary, Rev. Fr. Vincent D'Souza Principal of St. Mary's School - Mariampura -Petlad and Mr.Sanjay Patel - guest of honor made the Annual day celebration vibrant and joyful. Dr. Rashmin Cecil shared his experience and also gave an inspiring motivational speech with stories.

 Each teachers and the CJM family worked hard for the success of the program. Very special thanks to Sr. Anne - The Principal Sr.Christine - The manager of the school and the staff for making the program beautiful for the students and for the people. CJM also thanks those who helped directly and indirectly for the success of the program.

Please click on the video for the highlights of the program.

Please click for the photos of the celebration.

16th Annual Day Celebration at CJM 

Photos: Steven Macwan BBN

Video: Francis Parmar BBN

- BBN

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Last of Italian Jesuits in Mangalore dies in his homeland

 Fr Victor Piovesan died on 08-01-2014 who was Professor of Theology and Spiritual Director at St Joseph’s Seminary at Jeppu, did not despair about seeing Italy. He was born there and had returned several times ever since he came to India, and Mangalore, 64 years ago. He was the last of the Italian Jesuits in Mangalore, who first landed in Mangalore on December 31, 1879. The Jesuits have given Mangaloreans St Aloysius College, Father Muller Institutions (though Fr Muller was of German origin, he was part of the Italian Jesuit Mission in Mangalore), St Joseph’s Seminary and Workshop at Jeppu and Kodialbail Press.

 The most enduring and priceless is the legacy of paintings left for Mangaloreans by Br Moscheni who has painted the St Aloysius College Chapel and other religious places in the district. Since then batches of dedicated Italian Jesuits had come to Mangalore and strived for the educational, health, social and economic progress of the district. Fr Piovesan, who died in Italy on January 1, 2014, at the age of 86, was the last of the Italian Jesuits in Mangalore till his close relatives escorted him back to Italy a few years ago to spend his sunset years in his homeland.

 Victor Piovesan, first of nine children of Sante and Maria Piovesan, was born at Treviso, a small town 20 KM from Venice, on January 5, 1927. He had his elementary education in his parish and then went on to prepare for the diocesan priesthood, studying philosophy and earning Master’s degree in classical languages. But, his sight was stretched beyond the diocesan parish-bound priesthood. He was interested in ecumenism – union among various denominations of Christianity. He joined the Rome Institute run by Jesuits.

 In 1950, Fr Piovesan was sent to India in a move which he ascribed to “mysterious ways of God”. Boarding a cargo ship in August, he disembarked in Bombay in September and travelled onwards to Calicut by rail. There he learnt sufficient English to get along. In 1951, he was sent to Sri Lanka to do his Masterate in Philosophy at the Papal Seminary in Candy. As there were many seminarians from Kerala, Fr Piovesan picked up enough Malayalam to say Holy Mass in that language. He returned to Calicut in 1952 and was posted at Christ Hall Novitiate (where initial learning for priesthood is offered). The next posting was at St Michael’s Anglo-Indian School at Kannur, teaching various subjects and looking after the boarders. In 1955, he was sent to Kurseong, near Darjeeling, for a four-year course in theology.

 Fr Piovesan was ordained as priest in 1958 and was sent to Mangalore the following year. He was then told that the posting was “temporary for one year” and he wryly said that one year had lasted into 2000s. But he had no complaints. A Belgian priest then told him that Mangalore was a big village with all houses hidden by trees. He also recalled that there were no large residential hotels, Moti Mahal, perhaps the earliest such, being under construction then.

 In 1964–65 Fr Piovesan studied at Gregorian University in Rome, leading to a doctorate in theology. He returned to Mangalore in 1966. Meanwhile, his mother had died in 1962. His father died in 1972. Even if he had wanted to go to Italy for his father’s funeral, he could not as he himself was close to death, after suffering uncontrollable internal hemorrhage, following eating hot Indian curries while attending a seminar in Bangalore. Dr. Venkat Rao treated him at Father Mullers, Kankanady. Unable to control the bleeding, Dr. Rao one day said in desperation: “I am sorry you won’t be here tomorrow”. The last sacraments, given at the verge of impending death, were administered. The next thing he knew was complete recovery. Dr. Rao sent him to Bangalore for further investigation and it turned out that he had very sensitive veins which can’t stand spicy, hot food. For many years then, a neighbouring convent used to send bland food for him. Eventually he ventured to taste curries, chasing them down with water.

 Fr Piovesan was appointed Rector of Jeppu Seminary in 1977 which position he held till 1983. Since then he had been Professor and Mentor for seminarians. While he conducted holy mass in Malayalam every Sunday at Milagres Church for Malayalees, he had not attempted preaching in Konkani. Early on he was told about another Italian priest, Fr Fazi, who learnt Konkani and gave his sermon in it. Because of his Italian accent and pronunciation, the congregation laughed uncontrollably and that was the end of it.

 Fr Piovesan, an eminent theologian, was much in demand for giving lectures, conducting courses and retreats in convents. He had been on lecture circuits, during breaks at the seminary, to Goa, Pune and Kolkata. Being one of the oldest and enduring professors at Jeppu Seminary, he counted about eight bishops among his students. His early interest in ecumenism got concrete expression through Mangalore Christian Council which involved interaction with Protestant church leaders. He had also interacted with Hindu and Muslim leaders and counted some of them among his friends. He had special praise for Mangalore and Mangaloreans as the well educated and hospitable people. He soldiered on cheerfully in Mangalore until a few years ago when his close relatives took him to Italy to spend his sunset years there.

By John B Monteiro

Special Thanks to Bro. Agnelo Vaz

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With the fire of the spirit - Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

Rev. Fr.Valentine 

Baptism of the Lord (A) 12-01-14

Mt 3: 13-17

With the fire of the spirit

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

-----------------------------------

The first communities of Christians were careful to distinguish carefully the baptism of John which immersed people in the waters of the Jordan and the baptism of Jesus which communicated his Spirit to cleanse, renew and transform the hearts of his followers. Without this Spirit of Jesus, the Church comes to an end and dies out.

The Spirit of Jesus alone can make present day Christianity more authentic. Only his Spirit can lead us to recover our true identity by abandoning trends that draw us away time and again from the Gospel. Only this Spirit can give us light and strength to undertake the renewal the Church needs today.

Pope Francis knows very well that the greatest obstacle to launching a new era of evangelization is spiritual mediocrity. He does not mince his words. He wants to encourage as strongly as he can a more ardent, joyful, generous and bold stage full of unlimited love, an infectious life.” But it will all fall short, if the fire of the Spirit does not burn in our hearts.”

So he seeks for the Church today “evangelizers full of the Spirit who open themselves to its action without fear and find in that Holy Spirit of Jesus “the strength to proclaim the truth of the Gospel fearlessly for all to hear in every time and place, even going against the current.”

The renewal the Pope wishes to encourage in Christianity today is not possible “when the lack of a deep spirituality translates into pessimism, fatalism, and mistrust”, or when it leads us to think that “nothing can change”, and therefore “it is useless to make an effort”, or when we definitively let our arms down, “overcome by a chronic discontent or bitterness that dries up the soul.”

Francis warns us that “at times we lose enthusiasm on forgetting that the Gospel responds to the deepest needs of people.” That, however, is not the case. The Pope expresses his conviction forcefully: “it is not the same to have known Jesus or not to have known him; it is not the same to journey with him or fumble around, it is not the same to be able to listen to him or ignore his Word… it is not the same to build the world with his Gospel or to do it only with one’s own thinking.

We have to discover all this through personal experience in Jesus. Otherwise, whoever does not discover it, will soon lose strength and passion; and someone who is not convinced, enthusiastic, secure, and in love, convinces nobody.” Do we not have here one of the chief obstacles to impede the renewal Pope Francis wants?

Are we burning with the fire of the Spirit?

- By  Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

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