Feast Of St. Ignatius of Loyola

The Society Of Jesus is celebrating the Feast Of St.Ignatius Of Loyola on July 31, 2010

Happy Feast To All Jesuits

Ignacio López de Loyola (sometimes erroneously called Íñigo López de Recalde) was born in the municipality of Azpeitia at the castle of Loyola in today's Basque Country of Gipuzkoa, Spain.


Saint Ignatius of Loyola (Basque: Loiolako Inazio, Spanish: Ignacio de Loyola) (1491 – July 31, 1556) was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became its first Superior General.The Jesuits emerged during the Counter-Reformation in reaction of the Catholic Church against the theology of Protestantism. Loyola's devotion to the Church can be summed up in Rule 13 of the Jesuits' "Rules for Thinking with the Church" by him: "I will believe that the white that I see is black if the hierarchical Church so defines it".

After being seriously wounded at the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, he underwent a spiritual conversion while in recovery. De Vita Christi by Ludolph of Saxony inspired Loyola to abandon his previous military life and devote himself to labour for God, following the example of spiritual leaders like Francis of Assisi. He experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus while at the shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat in March 1522. Thereafter he went to Manresa, where he began praying for seven hours a day, often in a nearby cave, while formulating the fundamentals of the Spiritual Exercises. In September 1523, Loyola reached the Holy Land to settle there, but was sent back to Europe by the Franciscans.

Between 1524 and 1537, Ignatius studied theology and Latin in Spain and then in Paris. In 1534, he arrived in the latter city during a period of anti-Protestant turmoil which forced John Calvin to flee France. He and a few followers bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In 1539, they formed a permanent union approved as the Society of Jesus in 1540 by Pope Paul III, who also approved his Spiritual Exercises in 1548. Loyola also composed the Constitutions of the Society. He died in July 1556, was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1609 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, and declared patron of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922. The feast day of Ignatius is celebrated on July 31. Ignatius is a foremost patron saint of soldiers, the Society of Jesus, the Basque Country, and the provinces of Guipúzcoa and Biscay.

Ignatius was beatified by Pope Paul V on July 27, 1609 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 13, 1622. His feast day is celebrated annually on July 31, the day he died. Saint Ignatius is venerated as the patron saint of Catholic soldiers, the ordinariate of the Philippine military, the Basque country and various towns and cities in his native region.



The institutions dedicated to Saint Ignatius, one of the most famous is the Basilica of St Ignatius Loyola, built next to the house where he was born in Azpeitia, the Basque Country. The house itself, now a museum, is incorporated into the basilica complex.

His legacy includes many Jesuit schools and educational institutions worldwide


Courtesy
-Google wikipedia

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Lift Up Your Head

"Lift up your heads…that the King of glory may come in" (Psalm 24:7, AMP).

Are you ready for God to come in and fight your battles? Then it’s time to lift up your head. It’s time to get a vision of yourself rising higher. See, your life is going to follow your vision. You can’t stay focused on defeat and expect to move forward in victory. But when you lift your head, when you focus on the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, your focus is in the right place. You are setting yourself up to be a candidate of God’s blessing and favor.

How do you lift your head? By thinking higher thoughts. By speaking God’s Word. By seeing yourself the way God sees you. That means if you’re sick, you’ve got to start seeing yourself well. If you’re struggling in your finances, start seeing yourself with more than enough. You may have major obstacles, but see yourself rising above them. If you will lift up your head, then the Lord mighty in battle will come in. And when God shows up, every adversity will be turned to victory! Every battlefield will be turned to a blessing field, and you will live the abundant life He promised to you!

Courtesy:-
By Urban Barnes.
Forwarded on behalf of Winning ways Foundation.
http://www.winningwaysfoundation.org/

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Pakistani Christians Stay Strong Under Blasphemy Law

(24 July. 10- RV) International religious organizations are calling for a repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy law following the murder of two Christian brothers in Faisalabad earlier this week.

Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law, which provides for a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment even in cases of unintentional blasphemy offences, is often misused against Christians and others to settle property and personal disputes.

The latest killings triggered a fresh wave of violence and unrest as church leaders prepare to observe the one year anniversary of the killing of eight Christians in nearby Gojra.

John Pontifex is the Head of Press and Information for Aid to the Church in Need UK. He has recently returned from Pakistan, and told us that despite the hardships, the Christian faith remains strong:

Courtesy: Vatican Radio

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St. Bernadette - 122 Years after Death

These are the pictures of St. Bernadette who died 122 years ago in Lourdes, France and was buried; her body was only discovered 30 years ago.. After church officials decided to examine it they discovered her body is still fresh until today and if you ever go to Lourdes, France you can see her in the church in Lourdes. Her body isn't decomposing because during her lifetime, the Mother of Jesus would always appear to her and give messages and advice to all mankind on the right way to live on this earth. Many miracles have taken place in this place of Lourdes and still do until today.

Scientists have wondered about this because it defies the laws of nature and instead of expecting a foul smell of a dead body, a fragrance of flowers can be experienced when the glass of coffin is opened. Some say they experience the fragrance by just going near the coffin. You can visit the Church of Lourdes, France to verify yourself the authenticity of this truly wonderful experience and see for yourself a living miracle of our times.

By Kathleen Teresa (Bahrain)

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Shading Mother Earth Movement

Matr Chhaov Abhiyan (shading mother earth movement) becomes part of national school curriculum

BHOPAL: An environmental initiative taken by the Vishwa Kalyan Ashram, the Shading the Mother Earth Movement,(Matr Chaav Abiyan, MCA)) is all set to become part of the National Education Curriculum of India .
In a communiqué received from the Education department of the Human Resource Development under the Government of India said that the ministry finds it fit to be included into the National Education Curriculum.
The Church had launched the movement in 50 Catholic schools in Madhya Pradesh state on July 29, last year in a bid to contain the menace of global warming creating green cover and protecting the environment. Fr. Anand Muttungal , the director of MCA, said, “we had written to all members of President of India, Prime Minister, Ministers of Union Government, Parliament, chief ministers of all states and heads of many organizations in the country to request the HRD to include this concept in the national educational curriculum.”

Under the project, students from grades five to nine will each plant only one sapling and care for them over three years. Each student who is successful in nurturing the saplings will gain additional credits in the final practical examination on environment study. Nonetheless, it is a voluntary one. It is just like any science project.

Federal Ministry of Human Resources Development’s (HRD) has given its green signal to accommodate the initiative as part of the school education in the country and has forwarded the project to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for including it in the school education.

The role of NCERT is mainly to advise and assist the government of India in formulating and implementing policies and programmes in the field of education, particularly school education. The ministry in its official communication recently issued to the secretary NCERT has instructed it to “include tree plantation as part of curriculum in school as project under environmental studies”. “This is a great honour and matter of achievement for the Church in the country” says Father Anand Muttungal who is the brain behind the green movement. “After launching it in our schools, I thought, I should approach the government to adopt this project for the all the students as environmental protection is a must”, explained an elated priest who is also the spokes person of Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh.
“I personally feel it is our moral and constitutional responsibility to leave a worthy environment for our future generation to live in, as our ancestors have done, and this needs protection of environment”, he insists.
Nurturing the habit of protecting the environment in the minds of school children at the early formation stage, he told the ucanews.com today is a worthy investment. “Therefore, I approached the Federal HRD ministry dealing with education in the country to adopt this project”, he added.
Now it is a challenge to the Church to come out with such socially focused programmes to address major issues plaguing the society to reaffirm its commitment to social upliftment and welfare, he concludes.

News By - Fr. Anand Muttungal

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100 years of Doot _Toronto

100 years of Doot celebrated in Toronto.

Doot is a Gujarati Catholic monthly periodical. The Gujarat Catholic Community of Canada celebrated 100 years Of Doot on 11th July 2010. There were 60 people gathered to participate it. People who stay far away from the homeland got togathere and shared the joy of 100 years of Doot by arranging a grand mass and a short programme.
'દૂત' એ ગુજરાતી કેથોલિક માસિક છે. ગુજરાત કેથોલિક કોમ્યુનીટી ઓફ કેનેડાએ 'દૂત'ના ૧૦૦ વર્ષની ઉજવણી ૧૧ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૦ ના રોજ કરી હતી. પોતાની માત્રુભૂમિ થી દૂર હોવા છતાં પોતાના 'દૂત' નો આનંદ હરખ ઉલ્લાસથી ઉજવ્યો હતો. તેમના આનંદમાં સહભાગી બનવા માટે નીચે સ્લાઇડ ઉપર ક્લિક કરો.



In Gujarati


Please click the PLAY button for the celebration photoes.

Doot Celebration In Toronto

View more presentations from Vijay Macwan.

By Mr.Paul Macwan and Miss Suzan Macwan (Canada)

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EXPLANATION OF GOD

This was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.'
[ .... and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it.

EXPLANATION OF GOD:

'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'

'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'

'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista ... At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God.. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'

'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy,' and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'

'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I believe in God.


Courtesy: Danny Dutton.

Thanks to Ms.Kethleen Theresa (Bahrain) who sent the story for faith formation.

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Doot Day celebrated at Rajkot

Dear Friends,

Sharing with you the joy of the Doot Day celebrated at Rajkot on Sunday, July 11th.

Please Click to view the photoes




The Celebration at Rajkot:

It was a joyful occasion for the people of Rajkot to celebrate the Doot Sunday on 11th July. Bishop Gregory celebrated the well-prepared mass at 8 am in Mochi Bazar Parish Church. Special prayers, offerings and aarti were prepared to add Doot-flavor to the holy mass. Bishop had asked me to prepare the homily and so, I preached in both the languages (English and Gujarati). I very specially mentioned about the starting of the Doot magazine by the missionaries who did not know how to read or write Gujarati. There were very few literate people among the local Christians in 1911. In spite of all these odds the aim was much higher - they wanted to reach the message of Christ to far and wide. Today after 100 years we see the growth of this magazine and its good impact on our society. Both the parish-priests were present for the high-mass.

Soon after the mass everyone gathered in the parish hall for the short but meaningful cultural program. The very noticeable character of the program was - there was not a single 'Gujarati' on the stage. The whole program was executed by other people than gujaratis. There were cultural items from both the parishes of Rajkot.

Doot documentary - Shabda ni Gati Doot ni Sadee which was released at the end of the mass, was projected on the screen for all gathered. Bishop Gregory in his speech stressed on increasing the subscription. He insisted on getting at least 100 subscription on the day. He requested both the parish-priests to encourage the faithfuls belonging to Rajkot, to subscribe to the magazine. In his characteristic style he reiterated the request especially to those who have migrated from other states to Gujarat and are trying to make this place their home to have this magazine in their drawing room. He mentioned that in spite of the handicap for the Gujarati language those missionaries started this magazine, so, we have greater responsibility to take this mission to greater heights even if we lack the knowledge of Gujarati. Let others who visit our homes have a look at this beautiful work of spreading the values and life of Jesus. He invited people to gift a subscription to their friends and relatives on birthdays and other feast days, so that those who will receive the magazine month after month will remember the thoughtful and loving gesture for a whole year.

The whole program was brought to much cheer by the singing sensation Tony who led everyone to dance on the famous number from 3 idiots - All is well. Tea and snacks were served to all the present for the program.The team of enthusiastic people led by Fr. Francis the PP of Mochi Bazar Church and the team of Prem Mandir Parish led by the PP Fr. Jacob M. worked very hard to give an excellent flavor to the whole centenary celebration of Doot. Mr. Ashok Christian, Oswal Menenzes, Valerian & Anita D'souza, Norbert Menenzes, Ilias Miranda, Stella Menenzes, Darrel Dias, Rajesh Christian, Shreyas Thakar and Wilfred Ambrose were among the leading persons who helped shape the entire Doot Day in Rajkot.

Go Doot

News and photoes by Fr. Ashok S.J.

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Doot Sunday

Doot is a Gujarati monthly periodical of Gujarat Catholics. It is celebrating its 100 years. One of the members of Doot committee Mr. Roman Bhatia said on telephonic interview that Kutch, Rajkot, Ghandhidham, Junaghad, Jamnagar, Parnada in Saurashtra in Gujarat state are celebrating DOOT Sunday tomorrow on 11th July 2010. The Doot committee will visit people in the above said cities and will provide them the information and importance of subscribing Doot.

- News By Roman Bhatia

There will be also Doot centenary celebration by Fr. Justine in Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church, 131 Birchmount Rd,Toronto ON M1N 3J7.

- News By www.gujaraticatholic.com

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Two important news

Announcing two important news.......

A. The Doot Centenary Celebration Committee of Ahmedabad City has organized two very important events in near future.

1. Photography Workshop on August 7-8.

2. Blood Donation Camp at two places(Maninagar Church and Xavier's Church, Navrangpura).






B. Waves - a joint venture of Gujarat Jesuit Youth Movement (Fr. Jothi Xavier SJ)and Gurjarvani has organized an Exhibition of Photoes on 27-28-29 August at Ravishankar Rawal Kala Bhavan, Near Law Garden, Ahmedabad. You are all welcome. Please log on www.waves.webnode.com Pray for the success of these events.



News and Posters By
Fr. Ashok Vaghela
Gurjarvani, Ahemadabad,Gujarat.

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DRISTI stands with people

DRISTI stands neither behind nor in front but “With” the People

Taking a Right based Approach; Kapadvanj Don Bosco creates news by organizing the Morcha with regard to no payments for the four weeks of work under NREGA, comprising of 102 workers amounting to Rs. One and half lac.
On 2nd July 10, Fr. Mayank Parmar sdb, and DRISTI staff along with a tempo load of Rampura (Sorna) villagers go to a District Development Office and submits their memorandum saying “If we don’t get our payments in two days we are going to the labor court for the payments with compensation”.

After having a morcha on 14th June 10, we realized that most of all the villages’ payments were done immediately. Now fifteen days were over and we found out only one village was still to be paid and that is Rampura (Sorna) of Kapadvanj taluka. We, the DRISTI staff together with Fr. Mayank and Sailesh Parmar, Suresh Parmar addressed the people on 1st of July 10 in a public meeting in their own village. Villagers realized that was the only village in the whole of Kapadvanj taluka which was left without payments. So people got alarmed thinking if they don’t fight for their wages nobody is going to pay any attention and their hard labor will go in vain. They immediately form a union and decided to go to Nadiad to meet District Development Officer Ms. Manisha Chandra, on the following day we found forty people comprising of men and women got in to the Tempo with placards to the DDO’s office.

We wanted to meet Ms. Manisha Chandra the DDO of Kheda district. But she was busy with some other meeting so we met the Mr. Alpesh Chauhan P.A. of Ms. Chandra who also looks after the NREGA programme of the District. Mr. Chauhan addressed the people and told them that the action will be taken immediately without further delay.

True to his words, the team from the District and taluka came in the village that very evening. They studied the case and immediately sanctioned the money.

We were very much delighted to see all the people were in Chikloi post office to get their payments. People took a relief for having achieved the target of getting the money after having gone through the hard way.

Please click to play


- News and photoes by DRISTI

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