ચાવડાપુરામાં માતા મારિયાની ટેકરીનું ઉદ્ઘઘાટન

મેં મહિનામાં ઠેર ઠેર માતા મારિયાની ભક્તિ કેથોલિક સમુદાયમાં કરવામાં આવે છે. માતા મારિયા દ્વારા પ્રભુ આપણી અરજોને સાંભળે  છે. તેઓ તેમના  પુત્ર પ્રભુ ઈશુ ભણી આપણને લઇ જાય છે. આપણી જગ જનની  સર્વેની અરજો પ્રભુ પાસે લઇ જાય. 

આજે તા ૨૯-૦૫-૨૦૧૧ રવિવારની સવારે  ચાવડાપુરામાં માતા મારિયાની ટેકરીનું ઉદ્ઘઘાટન ફા. પરેઝાના હસ્તે કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું. બ્ર. એબ્રીલના હસ્તે માતા મારિયાની પ્રતિમાને ટેકરીમાં મુકવામાં આવી હતી. આ શુભ અવસરે ચાવડાપુરાના સભા પુરોહિત ફા. રમેશ મેકવાન માટે વિદાય સંભારંભ રાખેલ હતો  તેઓશ્રીની બદલી કઠલાલ  પેરીશમાં થઇ  છે. 

આ પ્રસંગને  જોવા માટે વીડિઓ ઉપર ક્લિક કરો  

- BBN

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Will Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill...............

Will Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011, Prove to be an Effective Tool to Deal Communal Violence

Rev. Fr. Anand Muttungal

Even though people of this country had to wait long to find solutions to the centuries old communal violence history of India, the proposed Bill gives hope to the Nation. The Indian history is smeared with sporadic violence but large scale communal violence began in 1784 with the Mangalore Treaty signed between Tippu Sultan and the British East India Company. Tippu Sultan carried out continues persecutions of Christians and Hindus for over a decade.

The forced partition of India on communal lines, the anti-sikh riots in 1984,  the large scale violence that followed the Rath Yathra of L K Advani and the Babari Masjid demolition in 1992 , intermittent uprising of violence against the linguistic minorities,   Gujrath violence in 2002 and the Kandmal communal violence in 2008 etc. have given a wide spectrum to the makers of this Bill aimed at addressing not just victims of communal riots, but also dalits, tribals, linguistic minorities or any community that is in a minority in a particular region who are vulnerable to attack by more powerful members of society.

Following the 1992 communal violence and the growth and capturing of power by BJP have encouraged political parties to enter into secret understanding with the fundamental organizations. The extended influences of fundamental organizations have forced the political organizations to observe silence during communal clashes. We need to see the Bill against this back ground. The proposed bill gives the Centre, power to intervene in cases of communal or targeted violence by invoking a provision in Article 355 of the Constitution that states, "It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and ensure the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."

The Bill defines communal and targeted violence as “any act or series of acts, whether spontaneous or planned, resulting in injury or harm to the person and or property, knowingly directed against any person by virtue of his or her membership of any group, which destroys the secular fabric of the nation….” In Indian law, so far, only the SC and ST Atrocity Act recognises that certain groups can be targeted.

The features of the Bill includes setting up a National Authority for Communal Harmony, Justice and Reparation that will ensure a national standards for the entire spectrum of provisions for victims, including rescue, relief, compensation, rehabilitation, resettlement, restitution, reparation and recognizing the rights of internally displaced persons. The National Authority that works as independent body will have the power to approach even the highest court of law to secure orders and the governments would have to respond to its reports within a period of one month. It has also provisions to deal with hostile environment like economic boycott, denial of public services, and forced migration etc. The national and state authorities will be empowered to take suo motu action to quell communal violence.   

The National Authority will have seven members of which at least four will be women, and no more than two can be retired civil servants and thus it provide greater space for civil society members. A specific feature is that it also provides provision to punish the head of a communal organisation for the acts committed by the foot soldiers, dereliction of duty by officials including the chain of administrators and political persons like Chief Ministers etc. 

The civil society activists saw this Bill as the effective step to enforce the law while the people in government perceived it as a way of usurping its powers and this controversy even led to several extensions, and exit of members of its drafting and advisory committees. The Babus accused the civil society activists of trying to disempower the existing administrative and justice mechanisms but the good will of people have persisted. Taking note of the opinions of different groups, we need to wait and see how this Bill will be used by the successive Governments to deal with communal and sectarian violence.

Report By
Rev. Fr. Anand Muttungal (Bhopal)

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WE ARE NOT ORPHANS_John 14, 15-21

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER A - 29 May 2011

WE ARE NOT ORPHANS

John 14, 15-21

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

Rev. Fr.Valentine SJ

A Church made up of Christians who relate to a poorly known, little loved and only routinely remembered Jesus, is a church that runs the risk of getting extinct. A Christian community gathered around a lifeless Jesus who does not attract or touch hearts, is a community without a future.


In the Church of Jesus we urgently need a new quality in our relationship with him. We need Christian communities distinguished by a lively experience of Jesus. Everyone can help bring about a Church where Jesus is experienced and lived with in a new way. We can make it more of what Jesus wants it to be, more united to him. How?


In his Gospel, John recreates the parting of Jesus at the Last Supper. The disciples sense that soon he will be taken away from them. What will become of them without him? Whom will they follow? Where will they nurture their hope? Jesus speaks to them with special tenderness. Before leaving them, he wants to make them understand how they will be able to live united to him even after his death.


Above all, they must have imprinted in their hearts something they must never forget: “I will not leave you orphans. I will come back to you.” They must never feel alone. Jesus speaks to them of a new experience they will have that will bring them to life because it will affect them in the depths of their being. He will not forget them. He will come and be with them.


Already, Jesus will not be able to be seen in the light of this world, but he will be able to be perceived with the eyes of faith. Do we not have to foster and revive much more this presence of the risen Jesus in our midst? How will we work for a more humane world and a more evangelical Church if we do not feel him close to us?


Jesus speaks to them of a new experience that till now his disciples had not known as long as they followed him along the roads of Galilee: “You will know that I am with my Father and that you are with me.” This is the basic experience that sustains our faith. In the depths of our Christian hearts we know that Jesus is with the Father and we are with him. This changes everything.


This experience is fueled by love: “Whoever loves me… I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Is it possible to follow Jesus carrying the cross each day without loving him and without feeling dearly loved by him? Is it possible to prevent the decline of Christianity without reviving this love? What power will be able to sustain the Church if we let this love die? Who will be able to fill the void left by Jesus? Who can replace his living presence in our midst?


We are not orphans: Jesus alive is in our midst!






Source: URL of José Antonio Pagola's Buenas Noticias Web site:
http://sanvicentemartirdeabando.org    Website for Spanish original and translations: www.eclesalia.net
Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

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

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Valedictory function of Para Legal Training

65 young adivasi women (28) and men (37) were dancing to the tune of their traditional drum and eagerly waiting to welcome the Chief Guest. It was the occasion of the Valedictory function of their Para Legal Training on 13th May 2011. At 6.00 PM, Mr. Tusharbahi Chaudhary, the State Minister of Road and Transport, Union of India, arrived along with Mr. Mavjibhai Chaudhary, the District Panchayat President of Tapi District and Ushaben Gamit, the Taluka Panchayat President of Songadh Taluka. They were welcomed in their traditional along with the slogan “Jai Adivasi, Jago Adivasi”.

After welcoming the guests, all stood up to sing the Adivasi Gaurav geet(the pride song of Adivasis) after which all stretched out their right hand to take the pledge to work for the development of community. Then the trainees introduced themselves. While they were introducing themselves, the Guests were watching them with great interest. After this they sang an awareness song (Bhaiyo baheno hakko mate ladiye). Then some of the trainees shared their experiences on (1) what they learnt during the training, (2) the good and bad experiences they had during their field experiences, and (3) how they would like to use this training in the future. All of them expressed their gratitude to SHAKTI and its supporters for enabling them to speak and to see the reality with ‘rights approach’.

Then the Guests distributed the certificates to the Para Legals. Along with the certificates they were also given a shawl and two Law books which could help them in their future. Ushaben told them, “She was able to reach this state in life because of the trainings of SHAKTI”. Mavjibhai told them to go around and to look at realities critically and to decide for themselves how they should work towards the development of the adivasi community. Tusharbhai, the Chief Guest congratulated them all for going through such a legal training that is so practical to life. He wished that when he was young, he had a chance like this. He added, “What you know even many elected members may not know. Today such trainings are not available for free. You are lucky”. After the vote of thanks, all stood up for the National Anthem. Arjunbhai Vasava and Jashuben Gamit conducted the programme.

On 20th January 2011, a new Para Legal Training was started. The participants were from Dahrampur, Vansda, Mandvi, Mangrol, Umarpada, Nizar, Uchchhal, Songadh and Vyara talukas of Valsad, Navsari, Surat and Tapi districts. This training was specially designed to cover some pertinent laws like RTF, RTI, MNREGA, PESA, FRA, Constitutional and Human Rights, Land Laws related to Adivasis, Maintenance Act, Atrocity Act, Consumer Protection Act and different welfare schemes of both State and Central Governments. They were also helped to develop the skills for public speaking, writing applications and complaints, press notes and reports along with some practical things like how to represent their matter to the elected members and the officials and how to conduct a meeting, how to conduct a programme etc. They had every month 3 days input sessions at SHAKTI-LAHRC, Songadh and field work in their respective areas. They were given concrete home works to guide their field work. They were followed up by the staff of SHAKTI-LAHRC. The resource persons were from different fields, Government departments and the training team of SHAKTI-LAHRC.

News And Photos
Fr. Stany Jeba SJ
Songhad
SHAKTI-LAHRC

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Sunday With e-Sermon by Kathakar Fr.Vinay Macwan SJ

Please click on the video for Sunday With e-Sermon by Kathakar Fr.Vinay Macwan SJ (Khambhat)


Special thanks to Kathakar Fr. Vinay Macwan SJ for the e-sermon and for the transport for Golana and Nagara trip.

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Celebrating Marriage Anniversary Of BBN correspondent Mr. Kiritbhai Parmar

Jasintaben And Kiritbhai

Dear All,

It is our immense joy to inform you all that our BBN correspondent Mr. Kiritbhai P. Parmar (Vimal colony) is celebrating his marriage anniversary (21 years) BBN team congratulates him and his wife Jasintaben. We also remember his two children Joy Parmar and Enjoy Parmar on this special occasion.  Would request you all to pray for the family.

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Celebrating Marriage Anniversary Of BBN correspondent Mr. Ramesh Y Parmar

Kapilaben And Rameshbhai

BBN is celebrating the marriage anniversary of Mr. Ramesh Yohakimbhai Parmar today. Recently he met with an accident and admitted in Medical Hospital,Karamsad. He is better today. He has one Ro daughter known as Romika and Keen his son. His wife Kapilaben is a teacher. They are his support to serve God. today as he is celebrating marriage anniversary would request you all to pray for him and for his family on this special occasion.
We also celebrated marriage anniversary of our BBN correspondent Mr. Kantibhai A Paramar (Bhumel) and tomorrow we are going to celebrate the marriage anniversary of BBN correspondent Mr. Kiritbhai Parmar from Anand.

- BBN

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER A – 22 May 2011

DO NOT REMAIN WITHOUT JESUS

John 14, 1-12

José Antonio Pagola (translated in English By fr. Valentine de Souza)

Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

At the end of the Last Supper, Jesus begins to take final leave of his own: he will not be with them much longer. The disciples are bewildered and shocked. Although he does not say it in as many words, they all feel that death will soon snatch him away from them. What will become of them without him? 

   Jesus sees them overwhelmed. It’s the time to reaffirm their faith by teaching them to believe in God in a different way: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust  in God  trust also in me.” They will have to continue trusting in God, but, from now on, they must trust in him too, because he is the best way to trust in God.

   Jesus then reveals to them a new horizon. His death will not be the end of their faith. In fact, he is leaving them to journey to the mystery of the Father. But he will not forget them. He will continue to think of them. He will prepare a place for them in the house of the Father and return to take them with him. At last they will once again be together forever.

   It’s difficult for the disciples to believe something so grandiose. All kinds of doubts and questions arise in their hearts. We, too, share similar thoughts: Isn’t all this a beautiful dream? Isn’t it a misleading illusion? Who can guarantee us a similar destiny? Thomas, with his usual common sense, asks him only one question: How can we know the way that leads to the mystery of God?

   The answer of Jesus is an unexpected challenge:  “I am the way and the truth and the life” Such a bold claim is unknown in the history of religions. Jesus presents himself as the way we can take to enter into the mystery of God, the Father. He can reveal to us the ultimate secret of existence. He can communicate to us the fullness of life the human heart yearns for.

   Many men and women have today been left without paths to God. They aren’t atheists. They have never knowingly rejected God from their lives. Neither do they themselves know whether they believe or not. Quite simply, they have left the Church because they have not found in her a good enough path to seek with joy the ultimate mystery of life which we, believers, call “God”.

   In leaving the Church, some have at the same time abandoned Jesus. I would like to say something to you through these modest lines which many of you already guess: JESUS IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE CHURCH. Do not confuse Jesus with Christians. Do not confuse the Gospels with our sermons. Although you give up everything else, do not remain without Jesus. In him you will find the way, the truth and the life we have not been able to make known to you. Jesus can spring a surprise on you. 

- Special Thanks To Fr. Valentine de Souza SJ

**********

Tell everyone: Jesus is the Way

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

http://sanvicentemartirdeabando.org

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

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

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

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"Called To Serve, Not To Be Served."

BBN is at work for its new upcoming activity which will be known as  "Called To Serve, Not To Be Served." This activity will be in video format which will highlight the life of the missionaries who died for the Church Of Gujarat.  Their life will help each one of us grow more in Faith. BBN may visit the mission stations if required, It would be a great help if photos and the documentary details are provided. Your help will make this activity rich.

The video format will be in Gujarati till further notice.

- BBN Team

 A Bridge Between Christ And People

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Sunday with e-Sermon By Fr. Nagin (Anand)

BBN team is planning to provide e-sermons with examples by using the background while the sermon is delivered. Please click the below given e-sermon for the same. Your ideas and inputs will make us better and will help us to work on the areas of improvement. The below given video is just our practice, Will be back soon with perfection on next e-sermon onwards. BBN team is working hard to deliver better.

Please click on the video



We Thank you for your prayers for our BBN correspondence Mr. Ramesh Yohakimbhai Macwan (Anand) Your comments are shared with his family. He is still in the hospital and feeling better.
- BBN

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BBN correspondent Mr. Rameshbhai met with an accident

Yesterday our BBN correspondent Mr. Rameshbhai Yohakimbhai Parmar from Snehsagar Sco. Anand met with an accident. He is admitted in Karamasad Medical Hospital. He is in critical situation. Would request you all to pray for him and for the family. He has been a great support towards BBN and our Catholic society.

Your prayers and comments will be sent to his family.

Please click for his last video covered for BBN in Gamdi- Anand Church on 08-05-2011




You can also view on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhyXGe30a0I


In Christ,
BBN

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Sunday With e-sermon By Rev. Fr.Jimmy Dabhi SJ

Sunday With e-sermon By Rev. Fr.Jimmy Dabhi SJ. It was recorded in Gujarati at  Chavdapura Catholic Church.

Please click on the video



BBN thanks Rev.Fr. Jimmy Dabhi SJ for this beautiful e-sermon.

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Birthday Of Fr. Vinayak Jadav SJ

Rev.Fr.Vinayak Jadav Sj

BBN wishes a very Happy Birthday to Rev. Fr. Vinayak Jadav SJ.

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REMEMBER JESUS MORE By Fr. Vally de Souza SJ

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER A - 8 May 2011

REMEMBER JESUS MORE - Luke 24, 13-35

- José Antonio Pagola



Rev. Fr. Vally de Souza SJ (Vyara)

The story of the disciples of Emmaus describes the experience of two followers of Jesus as they journeyed from Jerusalem to the small village of Emmaus, some eight kilometers away from the capital. The evangelist does it so skillfully that he helps us even today to revive our faith in the Risen Christ.

Two disciples of Jesus are leaving Jerusalem, after having abandoned the group of followers that had formed around him. After his death the group is breaking up. Without him, it makes no sense to remain united. The dream has vanished. With the death of Jesus, the hope that Jesus had raised in their hearts has died. Isn’t something of this happening in our communities? Aren’t we letting faith in Jesus die?

Those disciples, however, keep talking about Jesus. They cannot forget him. They recall what had happened. They try to make some sense of what has happened to them while they were with him. “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” It’s the first gesture of the Risen One. The disciples are not able to recognize him, but Jesus is already there walking with them. Isn’t Jesus walking unnoticed with so many believers who have left the Church but continue to remember him?

The intention of the story teller is clear: Jesus comes to them when the disciples remember him and speak of him. He makes himself present wherever his Gospel is talked about, where there is interest in his message, where people talk about his project and the way he lived. Isn’t Jesus absent from among us because we speak little about him?

Jesus is interested in speaking with them: “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” He does not impose himself upon them by revealing his identity. He asks them to continue speaking about their experience. Conversing with him, they will discover their blindness.

Their eyes will be opened when, guided by his word, they express the thoughts and feelings they have within them. That’s what happens when in the Church we speak about Jesus and converse more with him. Our faith revives. The disciples speak to him of their hopes and disappointments; Jesus helps them to deepen their knowledge of the crucified Messiah. The hearts of the disciples begin to burn; they feel the need to have that “stranger” stay with them. While celebrating the Eucharistic meal, their eyes are opened and they recognize him: Jesus is with them!

We Christians need to remember Jesus more: to quote his words, to speak about the way he lived, to understand more deeply his project.We have to open the eyes of our faith more, and find him full of life in our Eucharistic celebrations. No one should be more present to us. Jesus walks by our side.

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

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

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

English Transation by (Valentine) Vally de Souza S.J.

vallydesouza@jesuits.net, Mandal, Gujarat , India.

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VATICAN Reflects On Death Of Bin Laden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) --

The Vatican said the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, a man who sowed division and hatred and who caused "innumerable" deaths, should prompt serious reflection about one's responsibility before God, not rejoicing.

The Vatican statement May 2 came the day after President Barack Obama announced that U.S. forces had killed bin Laden in an attack on his hideout in northwest Pakistan. In several U.S. cities, the news prompted street demonstrations and expressions of jubilation.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, released a brief written statement reacting to the news.

"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end," Father Lombardi said.

"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred," the spokesman said.
The Vatican missionary news agency, Fides, reported that Christian schools and other institutes were closed and churches put on guard in Pakistan's main cities out of fear of possible repercussions on the Christian minorities there. Pakistani Christians are often identified in extremist literature with the West and the United States.

Paul Bhatti, a government adviser for religious minorities in Pakistan, told Fides that "the situation is tense."

"In fact, there are strong fears of reactions -- senseless reactions -- against the Christian minorities. The government is giving the maximum attention to prevention measures," he said.

Father Mario Rodrigues, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan, said after a meeting with government officials May 2: "They put us on alert, requesting the closure of our institutes and making available additional police personnel around the churches. The Christians of Pakistan are innocent victims in this and other situations. Any pretext is used to threaten them or launch an attack."

Rodrigues said some experts predicted that bin Laden's killing would weaken the Taliban and their ideologies, which could help diminish anti-Christian persecution in the long term. But he said radical Islamic groups were flourishing in Pakistan, and other extremist leaders could arise.

What is needed, he said, is a serious policy of interreligious tolerance at every level -- cultural, social, political and legislative.

News Courtesy
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
Website:http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101730.htm
 
Photo courtesy
Google

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સલુણ ગામમાં ઈશ્વરની નિત્ય દયાશક્તિનો મેળો

ગઈ કાલે સલુણ ગામમાં ઈશ્વરની નિત્ય દયા શક્તિના મેળાનું આયોજન કરવામાં આવેલું હતું. અહી પોપ જોન પાઉલ બીજાને સુધન્યની પદવી મળી તે માટે રેવ. બિશપ થોમસ મેકવાન દ્વારા ઉપદેશ આપવામાં આવ્યો હતો.

આ મેળો જોવા માટે વિડિઓ ઉપર ક્લિક કરો.



Yesterday there was a religious get to gather in Salun village near Nadiad. Rev. Bishop Thomas Macwan (Ahmedabad Dio.) celebrated the grand mass.

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