Funeral : Fr. Amalraj Sebastian - Gujarat Province

Please click on the video to watch the funeral

Funeral Photos : Click here for the funeral photos

Letter to the person with a Difference!

Dear Amal,

Greetings from your Girish Bapu as you usually used to call me whenever we met.

This morning as usual after breakfast when I checked my emails there I was shocked to read about your sudden departure. I knew you were sick and you were under treatment at Our Lady of Pilar Hospital, Baroda. But, I never thought that you would depart from all of us so soon. For, I found you always energetic and enthusiastic about the happenings of our province and its development. Well, finally you have taught me to accept things as they are and to welcome things joyfully as it comes. Well, you have gracefully welcomed the call of God today (13.9.2014) at 00.30 am. When all were in deep sleep at mid-night you seemed to have had conversation with the Lord and finally you could surrender totally by saying – “Into your hands I commend my Spirit oh Lord!”

I was somehow deeply convinced that this was not the age when you have to say BYE to all of us so early! This somehow triggered me to check your bio-data from our catalog. There I noticed: Birth – 13 December 1949; Entered the Society of Jesus: 15 June 1972; Ordained Priest: 2 May 1982; Final Vows: 8 September 1987. So, quietly at the age of 65 without anyone’s attention you have gone before us to have the beatific vision of God in the company of Angels and Saints! May you continue to live joyfully in the company of eternal beings and kindly send us your blessings for we the earthly beings need your kind intercession!  I admire you for having taught a lesson from your own physically challenged life: “Slow and steady wins the race!” Finally on this date you have won the race and have received the eternal reward – the life everlasting! Thanks be to God and May your soul Rest In Peace!

At this moment I want to share with you of my association with you and with your native place. I know that you were from Tamil Nadu and your native place was Kalladithidal near Anandoor, the land of Maravas where our dear Jesuit Saint John de Britto was martyred at Oriyur. In fact you were deeply touched by the missionary spirit of this Portugal Britto and you too wanted to become a missionary like him. So, you left your place and came as a young boy to become a Missionary in Gujarat.  With your initial enthusiasm you wanted to serve as a Jesuit Novice to teach catechism to the students. Due to the fatal accident at Sabarmati you lost your left leg and got fixed an artificial leg instead. With that you became lovingly as the ‘langada Amal’(lame Amal)  to all and made a remarkable difference in the Society and society at large till your last breath. Your ever YOUTHFUL life and Mission with the youth and others have become really the JOY OF THE GOSPEL to many within and outside Gujarat.

While we the missionaries of North Gujarat Mission is getting ready to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our Mission on October 2 at Unteshwari along with the 44^th annual feast, we were getting ready to invite you for this great event for we hear from your own students and you yourself have told me many times that you as a scholastic spent your week end ministry in the midst of Kalol boys’ boarding. To me you were one of the forerunners who paved the way for my future ministry. Somehow this kept you alive and you often told me – “Remember Girish Bapu, before you, I was there!”   Well, your liking for North Gujarat never got diminished. Somehow once again you came back and from BSC Ahmedabad  you were conducting your programme in Danta and Vadgam,  the civil NG regions! In spite of your physical disabilities you could move everywhere in the South, Central and North Gujarat, namely Surat, Baroda, Vidhyanagar, Ahmedabad, Kalol, Danta, etc. and you moved everyone of your contacts spiritually and socially to soul search their inner and outer movements.  Truly you were attuned to the life of converted Ignatius and you could draw inspirations from him to face the ‘challenged life’ as a Jesuit - Scholastic, Priest and Social Activist! amDg!

What a joy for me to witness your priestly ordination in the campus of Madurai St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 2^nd 1982. I was a candidate for Gujarat to attend the vocation camp. There I was glad to see you getting ordained with your vibrant Gujarat companions Stanny Jebamalai and M.I.Raj. At one moment, at that time, I was stunned to see you limping, yet with the firm footing! I saluted at that moment only for the caring and understanding Society of Jesus and I wanted to belong to this Society which accepts all kinds of ‘persons with disabilities’ with an unconditional motherly love! Viva Madre Compaña de Jesus! Today the mother Society is proud of you dear AMAL, for you were PURE true to your name and have made a real difference in the Society to labour always for God and His peoples without seeking for rest. Truly your strengths have over powered your weaknesses! Thanks to your past Provincial’s right discernment to accompany you till the end. Hence, Our option is very clear Amal to accompany the marginalized, poor, weak and vikalang (disabled) as a life-long Mission! You so well experienced the spirit of the Society, in turn you, as a differently-abled, were at the side of the disadvantaged and displaced! Thanks be to God!

In the Society, I always admired you Amal for your charm and enthusiasm! Whenever and wherever we met, we met as loving companions of Jesus. Age was not barrier, for we both were barrier-free in our interest for the Mission in Gujarat.  This was our talk when I met you along with Fr. Jerry Sequeira, your caring Rector, 10 months back in your room at Vidhyanagar.  How can I forget your encouraging words? How can I forget your humorous nature? How can I forget your expressed dreams for the Youth of the entire three Latin rite Dioceses of Gujarat?

Here I attach a picture which we took in your room. Your external transparency has revealed your inner disposition to be ever open to all at all times. Thanks for being a mentor to serve the persons in need. Truly, like St. Paul, I could notice in you:  When you were weak, you were strong Amal! Thanks for your friendship and companionship!

Looking forward to meet you one day at an appropriate time!

In Christ Jesus,

Girish, SJ

Unteshwari - Kadi

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Interview of Late Fr. Amalraj Sebastian

Please click on the below given link. This interview was taken before the funeral of Late Fr. K Raj at BSC - Ahmedbad.

Interview of Rev. Fr. Amalraj Sebastian

RIP 
Rev. Fr. Amalraj Sebastian SJ is died today at 00.30 at Pillar Hospital Vadodara, He was 65 years old and was in the Society of Jesus for 42 years. The funeral will be held at St. Xavier's Church Gamdi-Anand at 11:00 morning (14th Sept 2014) 
.
- BBN

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Born to be a talented singer and musician - Shrey Jadav from Surat

 An inhabitant of the stage, Shrey is a talented singer and musician. Along with, he is also an excellent orator, a beautiful heart and the youngest 3G Jadav. 

Having passed out from St. Xavier’s High school, Surat with a good score, he is currently studying Bachelor of Mass Media at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

Shrey Jadav : Photo: Puja Kedia

This lad didn't cry when he was born. He was singing! 

 Five years elder to him, apart from the routinely shenanigans and fights, one thing I remember about Shrey is his love for music. Be it singing or learning various instruments. He plays the keyboard and the guitar like a ‘rock star’! 

 We belong to a family of singers, writers and a fabulous orator! Shrey has sucked in the best of the entire family of the Jadavs combined. Quirky and witty with his oratory skills and an epitome of charming when it comes to his musical performances!

 As many would thing, one can’t be the master of all but Shrey has been exceptional throughout his school years (at least). We’re hopeful he’ll make us proud even with his further education. Future apart, he has aced his exams throughout his school years and has been a do-it-all. Be it dramatics, dancing, the school choir, the sports day, the church choir, being a part of the Surat Bookoholic club, reading fictional books from the library and so on.

Photo : FB

 Among the many other things that Shrey enjoys, stage is what he is passionate about. He isn't merely passionate about the stage but he has been equally religious towards it for all these years. Just like one of my chores included bathing, eating and drinking coffee, his daily chores include practicing on his keyboard and reading apart from his academic books. He reads when he travels, he reads before bed and sometimes, during his meals. He has befriended a couple of friends who are equally passionate about reading and thus, the exchange of knowledge continues!

 For him, when he is on the stage, I believe, he gets onto the stage with a motto that spells, ‘the stage is going to be mine!’.  I don’t remember a time when he has not been applauded while on stage.

 Honestly, I don’t really know how and from where he finds the time to be it all and to do it all. He has a large social group and attends as many parties and lives a routinely ‘young’ life. What makes him stand out is his will to take a step further, to sweat a little more and to give a more of himself than others. Of course, all these wouldn't have been really possible without the constant support of our parents. The patience that our mother shows when the house buzzes with loud western music and the dedication our father shows when he serves not just as a provider of the family but also a personal driver who will never deny taking him to the practices or back.

Photo : FB

 Our parents and the family played an important role in understanding the fact that he has a certain talent which must be exposed. Ever since I can recollect, our parents and family have always encouraged him to learn new music, listen to more music be it on the television or on the internet, perform at every place possible and cease every opportunity possible. As a family, we always try and make it to see him whenever he is performing, his musical shows or his speeches.

 Shrey has always been an outgoing person. He never shies away from a chance. Apart from performing solo, he jams with various people from his school, from Surat and now, from his college as well. He performs with co-performers young or old. 

 Having said that, everything has not come to him as a piece of cake. There have been failures and disappointments for him as well. However, what he never gave up is his belief in himself and his love for music as an art. He has never allowed any storm to affect his motivation to go ahead with his passion.

 Having said that, he is now growing out if his teens and as an elder sibling and family, we’re only wishing for him to shine on. For us, he is the crazy diamond! 

Special thanks to Cheryl Meena Sampat, UK

This article is a part of Vibrant Catholic youth - Gujarat by BBN

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Miss Steffy Parmar shares her love for Mother Mary on the inauguration of grotto at Jod

 Our Lady Of Lourdes Grotto inaugurated at Jod village near Vidhyanagar by Rev. Fr. Martin and Rev. Fr. David Parmar.on 07-09-2014. This was built by Mr. Babubhai Parmar family from Karmasad in memory of Late Kamdaben Babubhai Parmar. Jod is a birth place of Late Kamdaben.

 Please click on the below given video for the Interview of the daughter of Late Kamdaben. She is sharing her faith and happiness to have the grotto.

For more photos Please click the below given link

Our Lady Of Lourdes Grotto inaugurated at Jod

- BBN

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Doot September 2014 - દૂત સપ્ટેમ્બર 2014

Please click on the logo to read Doot September 2014

દૂત સપ્ટેમ્બર 2014  વાંચવા માટે નીચે આપેલ લોગો ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો 

સૌજન્ય : ફા. જેરી  સિકવેરા 

ગુજરાત સાહિત્ય પ્રકાશ - આણંદ 

The cover page will be uploaded sooner.

- BBN

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Inspirational Interview of Mr. Rajesh Chauhan - Trustee Of knowledge schools

Please click on the video and be inspired

 Mr. Rajesh Chauhan is a catholic from Jivanjyot Society, Padhariya – Anand. He was born and brought up in a middle class, financially poor family of Paulbhai and Savitaben Chauhan from Kot Lindora village in Umreth Taluka.

  During his preliminary studies he had to work in the fields for food, school fees and books. While facing many unsaid problems he completed his 12th Studies. After his 12th exam he had a dream to help the family as the family was facing financial problems.

 He started taking tuition classes at Padhariya. As he succeeded taking classes of 600 students per day, which made him think for the student’s better future in education. This spark made him restless, he went to his closest friends and shared the same thought and asked them to help him start an education firm.

 With the help of his friends, he began the first Knowledge school in Nadiad under the banner of his trust called “Knowledge Group”.

 And today the Knowledge Group is grown into 5000 students and 600 teaching staff with having Schools in Nadiad, Anand, Vidhyanagar and Bakrol.

For more, please listen to his interview and get inspired, hard work and visions can bring victory.

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Myanmar celebrates 500 years of Catholicism with music, art

Myanmar celebrates 500 years of Catholicism with music, art

3rd September, 2014

Yangon, Myanmar, Aug 30, 2014 / 07:53 am (CNA/EWTN News).-

Celebrating 500 years since the arrival of Catholicism in Myanmar, Catholic artists have pooled together to evangelize through a new musical endeavor.

Catholic Creative Artists Association – an indigenous group of Catholic professional artists inspired by Biblical experience – has composed, developed and released a music album entitled “Revelation” in honor of the anniversary.

Earlier this year, the association premiered its first mega multi-cultural musical entitled “Jesus of Nazareth” at the National Stadium for two days in front of a fully-packed audience.

The program incorporated artists from the seven major ethnic groups with their own music and dances.

“God seems to be inspiring the Church to recognize this great potential and use it for greater benefit of the Word of God,” Fr. Leo Mang, director of social communication for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, told CNA Aug 25.

The bishops’ conference has declared the current liturgical year “The 500th Great Jubilee Year.” Celebrations kicked off Nov. 24, 2013 and will come to close on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 23, 2014.

“It is true that the arrival of the first Catholics into Myanmar was in 1510, so in reality it is 504 years of the arrival of Catholics in Myanmar and we should have celebrated in the year 2010,” Fr. Mang said.

However, the political circumstances and religious liberty situation in the country at the time did not allow for this.

“Since the political situations in Myanmar are developing now and there are many upcoming religious freedoms in the country we feel that it is a privilege to celebrate the great Jubilee in 2014.”

Despite persecution, Catholic missionaries and the local Church in the country have worked to promote dignity and human rights in Myanmar, promoting peace, social reconciliation and interreligious dialogue.

Discussing the significance of the Catholic Creative Artists Association, Fr. Mang said, “For the first time the Church in Myanmar has performed in the National Stadium and brought to light the big potential culture and talents of Myanmar Church.”

The association’s members are top performing artists in Myanmar, with backgrounds in advertising, television and radio, he explained, adding that “their participation has added greater credibility to the performance of ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and now in ‘Revelation,’ which is a tremendous success.”

Fr. Mang explained that the Catholic Creative Artists Association is an initiative of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, which in 2012 decided to incorporate a group of more than 40 Catholic professional artists, including musicians, singers, actors, technicians and composers.

The bishops’ conference was responding to the call for a new evangelization by seeking to reach the hearts of people through art, the priest said.

The vision of the bishops is “to build a community of faithful Catholic artists supporting a culture of excellence among artists, encouraging them to perfect their God-given talents and flourish as craftsmen,” added Fr. Mang, “so that their work might be a more pleasing offering to God and a more effective sign of his love for mankind.”

He explained that the artists are to be “custodians of beauty” and “heralds and witnesses of hope” to all humanity.

A priest serves as chaplain for the group, coordinating and planning monthly Masses and meetings. In the future, there is hope to expand among local tribes as “a means of uniting the Catholics from different ethnic groups and strengthening the identity and faith of the Burmese people.”

Doing so, Fr. Mang said, will help respond to “the modernization process in the country (which) is alienating people from their own culture.”

In producing “Jesus of Nazareth,” members of the Catholic Creative Artists Association took many Gospel trips, walking miles to other dioceses throughout the country.

The government of Myanmar has identified seven major tribes as representatives of 137 sub- tribes and dialects, and the Catholic Church is well rooted in these ethnic cultures. The Catholic population is estimated at some 500,000, which is less than 1 percent of the total 50.5 million population in the country.

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Born to dance : Miss Chelsy Parmar

Miss Chelsy Parmar, 17 as described by her family was born to dance.

Studying in standard 11th at her Alma Mater Convent of Jesus and Mary Girl's High School, Baroda. She aspires to own a dance studio of her own one day.

Born 5th of November to Ms. Mona Parmar in Baroda, Chelsy showed an inclination towards dance even when she hadn't learn to crawl. A movie song on TV or radio and her entire little body would start shaking much to the delight of her family members.

At an early age of 2, you would find Chelsy in front of the television trying to mimic the dance steps of her favorite songs even if she had no idea what they were singing...Her mother tried to take her to learn alternative sports which she disliked instantly.

As any parent worth their salt would do young Chelsy's mother found her a dance teacher who would teach her to dance. Mr Nilesh Parekh a Gold Medalist in the ancient and popular form of Bharatnatyam took Chelsy under his tutelage. Mr. Parekh runs a well known institute in Vadodara called as "Pranav Performing Arts".

Chelsy took to classical dance as a duck to water and has never looked back. She has finished six years of her dance training and is now preparing for her Visharad the final exam of year seven. She has participated in various dance competitions and has done numbers of stage shows.

Chelsy has decided to make dance her profession and is working towards joining the Faculty of Performing Arts in Baroda to enhance her dancing skills.

She is an immense source of pride and joy to her mother and her entire family.

- Apeksha Parmar-Shah 

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