Sister Prasannadevi in Junaghad forest

On 1st of Jan 1974, hearing God's call, Sr. Anne arrived the first time in Gujarat. She travelled all the way from south to west just to attain what she was called for . Sr. Anne had in the deepest corner of her heart the thought of taking up Indian Sanyasa. When the convent of Little Stars of Blessed. Fr. De Foucauld in India was closed down due to legal problems, this could not be considered anything less than a door opened by God,so that Sr. Anne may fulfill God's own will. Thus she started the life of a wanderer (Parivrajaka) which is considered as a must for any Sanyasis in Indian tradition.

In her quest for an Ashram life, she had visited most of the well-known ashrams and pilgrim centers of India and some of the leading Sanyasis of India like Swami Jnananda and Ramana Maharshi. She inspired her life by visiting and understanding the life styles of Shri Buddha, depicted in Ajanta, Ellora Caves, the prayerful atmosphere of Kurisumala ashram, Vagamon by Francis Acharya, Arunachala and Shantivanam, the spiritual birth place of Swami Abhishiktananda.

Sr. Prasannadevi's house

In 1975 she finally found a home for her hermit life near Atmeshwar (Girnar. Her friends built her a small hut in1976 which was called "Jyoti Mandir" now "Sneha Deepam", on the bank of a stream. This was an answer to her quest of a place to carry out her vocation. In July 1978, she was visited by Rev. Fr. Dominic of Ashirwanam Monestry (Kenkeiry, Banglore), whom she considers her Guru. He inclined his spiritual strength, prayers and teachings and continued his tsay in a hut opposite to Sneha Deepam till 1980. Fr. Dominic came because of an initiative-thought of Rt. Bishop Jona, the first Bishop Of Rajkot, to start an Ashram. Fr. Dominic though did not know the local language, through his silence and presence had inspired many visitors who started considering Fr. Dominic their Guru.

 Slowly and steadily Sr.Anne dissolved into the life of all the people who visited her. As time passed she started getting visitors from all over Gujarat. Some visited her occasionally, some regularly and some became  her very close friends. She by her simple living and teachings, has inspired hundreds and thousands of people.

 On 13th March-1975 Late Rt. Bishop Charles Gomez S.J. visited her on her birthday and in 1978 Rt. Bishop Jonas came and gave Sr. anne the right to have communion regularly. Those days once a week mass was celebrated and nowadays every Sunday  mass is conducted at Sneha Dipam by the parish priest of Junaghad.

 On 25th March 1997 in the presence of Rt. Bishop Gregory Karotemparel the Bishop Of Rajkot. parish council members,Carmelite sisters and youth of Junaghad: Sr. Prasannadevi made her perpetual vows as a hermit and were canonically accepted by the church. Sr. Anne would really have longed for such a day.

 In1999 her Hindu friends celebrated her arrival in Junaghad In year 2000,completion of 25 years of Sr. Anne's hermit life was celebrated in the presence of Bishop of Rajkotand the Junaghad parish.

Sr. Prasannadevi's Chapel

Sr. Anne had an inspiration from God , in which God said that He was pleased with her, and this is how Sr. Anne became Sr. Prasannadevi (The name which was officially given to her by Fr. Domnic). This grace of God has led her to live her hermit life with utter simplicity but with a great discipline . She rises up at 4:30 every morning and starts her day with prayer. Once it is enough light in her garden, she collects the most  beautiful  flowers and keeps them at the tabernacle. She has a small chapel which was built by her well wishers, and it is the holy place where she recites her prayers and mass is celebrated on Sundays..

 Describing about Sneha Deepam, it is a pure natural living place. It has a small hut where Sr. Prasannadevi lives and also a grotto and in front of it is a stream of water flowing through the rocks. She has cultivated a beautiful garden with variety of plants and colorful flowers. She also feeds birds and mongooses that come to her garden. She loves to spend her time in garden.

 She really has a loving heart with which she welcomes all who come to visit her. Her presence itself is inspirational. All the non Christians who visit her call MATAJI and great each other by saying " Jai Prabhu". Her simplicity and loving nature is very well revealed in the way she addresses all her visitors. All her visitors respect and love her and are very keen to visit her again and again . She also visits the poor people who are seriously sick and are hospitalized. Her love, prayer and guidance have helped many people. She also helps many poor people in the village financially,with the little collections she has from the visitors.

 The complaint mostly raised against the hermits is that they lead a very passive life, since they remain in the forest cut away from the active life of the world. But Sr. Prasannadevi has successfully combined both action and contemplation, It is her strong faith in God which has kept her firm to follow her vocation and fulfill God's will.

- Rojan Joseph

Rev. Fr. Vinod CMI

 We thank Rev. Fr. Vinod CMI the parish priest of Junaghad who took us to the forest to Sneha Deepam. We also thank Mr. Graem Tolly for this wonderful visit. During BBN interview with Sr. Prasannadevi, she expressed her feeling that she may not like her photo or video in any media. She said, " Jesus must increase and I must decrease". and therefore we will not be able to publish her photo here or in any media.    

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Tribal Bhajan Samelan of Vyara Part - 2.

Please click on the video for Tribal Bhajan Samelan of Vyara Part - 2. This was organized last month at Catholic Church, Vyara.

Tribal Bhajan Samelan Vyara - 2 from BBN on Vimeo.

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Bharat Natyam - આરંગેત્રલ (ભારત નાટ્યમ) નો પદવી સંભારંભ

From Left:  Shikha and Chandani

Please click on the video


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Photos Of Bharat Natyam - St. Mary's School, Nadiad

 ગઈ કાલે સાંજે સેન્ટ મેરીસ સ્કુલ, નડીયાદ ખાતે ભવ્ય આરંગેત્રલ (ભારત નાટ્યમ) નો પદવી સંભારંભ યોજાઓ હતો.

 ચાંદની અને શિખા નડિયાદની આપણી આ બંને દીકરીઓને કલાગુરુ સિસ્ટર એલીશા મેકવાન અને કલાગુરુ   જ્યોતિ મેકવાન દ્વારા ચાલતી દીવ્ય દયા નૃત્ય અકાદમી દ્વારા પદવી એનાયત કરવામાં આવી હતી આ શુભ પ્રસંગ ટાણે તેમણે રંગમંચ  ઉપર પદમ દ્વારા માતા મરિયમનું જીવન દર્શાવતું નૃત્ય  રજુ કરી સર્વે હાજરના દિલ જીતી લીધા હતા તે માટે વીડિઓ નિહાળશો.

 આ પ્રસંગે માનનીય બિશપ થોમસ મેકવાને આશીર્વચન આપ્યા હતા તથા કાર્યક્રમના મહેમાનપદે રેવ. ફા. રોકી પિંટો , રેવ ફા. એસ. બ્રીટો, રેવ. ફા. અરુલ, રેવ. ફા. અશોક વાઘેલા એસ. જે. તથા કેથોલિક સમાજના માનનીય શ્રી અન્તોનભાઈ તથા માનનીય આચાર્યશ્રી વિક્ટર ક્રિસ્ટી હાજર રહ્યા હતા અને કાર્યક્રમને વધુ સુંદર બનાવ્યો હતો.                        

   Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form originating in the South Indian state of  Tamil Nadu.This dance form denotes various 19th and 20th century reconstructions of Sadir, the art of temple dancers. Sadir in turn, is derived from ancient dance forms. Another aspect of this dance is Acrobatic Bharatanatyam 

  As Sister Elish Macwan Said the name depicts is the combination of: 'Bha' - Bhavam (means expression), 'Ra' - Ragam (means music), 'Ta - Talam (means beat or rhythm) and Natyam (means dance) in Tamil.

Bharatanatyam is a reworked dance-form from the traditional "sadir" known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world.

 Yesterday there were two Catholic girls Shika and Chadani performed one of the dances on the Life of Mother Mary on their Certification day at St. Mary's School, Nadiad, Gujarat. The teachers Sr. Elisha Macwan and Jyoti Macwan from Divya Daya Dance Acadamy, Nadiad were happy to distrubute the certificates to their students. Please click on the video to watch the programme. 

Special Thanks To Prakashbhai and family, Nadiad

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FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING - 25-11-2012

Photo : Google

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING (B)

John 18, 32-37

 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (NIV)

MAKE THE TRUTH KNOWN

José Antonio Pagola

 The trial of Jesus probably took place in the palace of Pilate where he resided when he came to Jerusalem. There, one April morning of the year thirty, a helpless prisoner called Jesus and the representative of the powerful imperial system of Rome, met.

Rev. Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J.

 The gospel of John reports the dialog between the two. In fact, more than an interrogation, it appears to be a discourse of Jesus to clarify some issues of great interest to the evangelist. At a certain point Jesus makes this solemn declaration: “For this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth, listens to me.”

 This statement reflects a basic feature that defines the prophetic career of Jesus: his will to live in the truth of God. Jesus not only speaks the truth, but he seeks the truth, and only the truth of a God who wants a more humane world for all his sons and daughters.

 For this reason, Jesus speaks with authority, but without a false show of it. He speaks with sincerity , without being dogmatic. He does not speak like the fanatics who seek to impose their truth. Neither does he speak like officials obliged to defend what they do not believe in. He never feels he is a guardian of the truth but its witness.

 Jesus does not turn the truth of God into propaganda. He does not use it to his own advantage, but in defense of the poor. He does not tolerate lies, or cover-ups of injustices. He does not back manipulation. Jesus thus becomes “a voice of the voiceless, and a voice against those who have too much of a voice.” (Jon Sobrino)

 This voice is more necessary than ever in our society trapped in a serious economic crisis. The great financial powers and the political management under their control presumably function through suppression of the truth. They want us to live out the crisis in a web of lies.

 Everything possible is done to cover up the responsibility of the main agents who caused the crisis. The suffering of the weakest and most defenseless victims meanwhile is ignored in a vicious manner. We urgently need to humanize the crisis and to put at the center of our concern the truth about those who are suffering and the priority to be given to an increasingly serious situation.

 It is the most important truth to be recognized by all if we do not want to be inhuman; the key data to consider before any other. We must not get used to the social exclusion and the despair the weakest continue to suffer. Those of us who follow Jesus must hear his voice and instinctively go to their defense and help. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to his voice.

Work as a witness to the truth

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

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

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Indian Americans welcome City of Harvey's Award presented to Father Cedric Prakash S.J.

November 20, 2012

Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash S.J.

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC - www.iamc.com ), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos has welcomed the "Outstanding Achievement Award" presented on Monday, November 19th, to renowned Indian human rights activist and Jesuit priest, Father Cedric Prakash, s.j. by the City of Harvey in Illinois. The plaque presented to Fr. Prakash noted with appreciation Fr. Prakash's "struggle and selfless service in the cause of justice and human rights in Gujarat, India."

Fr. Cedric Prakash is the director of an organization called Prashant which is dedicated to human rights, justice and peace. Prashant is based in the city of Ahmedabad, which was the epicenter of the horrendous crimes against humanity that were perpetrated in Gujarat in 2002.

 Fr. Cedric Prakash accepting the award from Mayor Eric Kellogg of Harvey City
Father Cedric Prakash is the recipient of several awards and honors internationally including the French "Chevalier of the Legion of Honor," and an award by the President of India for his work in promoting human rights and religious harmony.

 At a special ceremony held at the City Council Chamber to felicitate the selfless advocate of human rights and champion of peace, Mayor Kellogg paid tribute to the decades of stellar service to humanity rendered by Fr. Prakash.

 In his speech, the Mayor recalled the Gujarat pogrom, in which 2,000 people were brutally massacred and over 150,000 displaced, as one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. He reminded the audience however, that "the struggle for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat carnage is a story of selfless service, of a relentless quest for peace and of undying love for humanity." Mayor Kellogg added that Fr. Cedric Prakash is one of those rare individuals who symbolize these great qualities.

 "Fr. Prakash's work shows us that in the midst of appalling cruelty and terrible crimes against humanity, there exists compassion, selflessness and an inspiring conviction in the brotherhood of humanity," Mayor Kellogg stated.

"I feel truly humbled by this award from the city of Harvey," said Fr. Cedric Prakash. "I accept it as an acknowledgement of the reality of the Gujarat Genocide of 2002, which will remain forever, a monumental tragedy in the history of India. This award is also a reminder that none of us should be quiet until the cause of justice has been met," added Fr. Prakash.

"The decision by the City of Harvey to honor Fr. Cedric Prakash, is a reminder that our common values of justice, compassion and protection of the weak and dispossessed transcend geographical distance and citizenship of a specific country," said Shaheen Khateeb, President of IAMC.

The event was attended by 2nd ward Alderman Joseph Whittington, 4th ward Aldermen Michael Bowen and 5th Ward Aldermen Donald Nesbit.
Indian-American Muslim Council (formerly Indian Muslim Council-USA) is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 13 chapters across the nation. For more information please visit our new website at: http://www.iamc.com

File video of Gulbarg Society, Ahmedabad - Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash S.J. at prayer service. Please click on the video

BBN File Photo

References:
1. France Honors Fr. Cedric Prakash With Highest Civilian Award
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=28654

2. Minorities Rights Award For Fr. Cedric Prakash
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=34500

3. Thousands join Fr Cedric Prakash In Peace March
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=25218

4. We have no orders to save you" - Report by Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/2002/india/

5. Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002; An Inquiry into the Carnage in Gujarat
http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/volI/index.html


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A step towards rehabilitation - Matruchaya Wedding

ગઈકાલે નડિયાદમાં આવેલ સંત આન્ના મંડળ ચલીત અનાથ આશ્રમ "માતૃછાયા" માં બહેન ઉમા અને વડોદરા સ્થિત વિકેશ કુમાર લગ્નગ્રંથીએ જોડાયા હતા

 રીત રીવાજ પ્રમાણે અહી પીઠી અને લગ્ન ગીતો રાખવામાં આવ્યા હતા. આ લગ્ન સંભારંભની શરૂયાત પહેલા ઉમા અને વિકેશ બંનેની સગાઇ માતૃછાયામાં કરવામાં આવી હતી  ત્યારબાદ, સેન્ટ મેરીઝ ચર્ચમાં તેમનું ભવ્યતાથી લગ્ન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું સેન્ટ મેરીઝના સભાપુરોહિત રેવ ફા બ્રીટોએ નવ દંપતીને આશીર્વાદ આપી લગ્ન સંસ્કાર આપ્યો હતો

 આ પ્રસંગે સેન્ટ મેરીઝના પુરોહિતગણે તથા સાધ્વી બહેનોએ અને મોટી સંખ્યામાં આવેલ લોકોની મેદનીથી એક અનોખો પ્રસંગ બની રહ્યો હતો.

 જેમ લગ્ન ટાણે દીકરીની માતાનો જેટલો આનંદ હોય છે તેવો આનંદ અહીના સુપીરીયર સિસ્ટર બેનીતામાં તથા સમગ્ર સંત આન્નાના સાધ્વી બહેનોમાં અને માતૃછાયાના બાળકો અને પરિવારમાં જોવા મળી રહ્યો હતો . સામાજિક રીતે જે વ્યવહાર અને વિધીઓ કરવામાં આવે છે તેનું યોગ્ય ધ્યાન લઈને અહીના સાધ્વી બહેનોએ તથા અહી રહેતા સમગ્ર બાળકોએ અને માતૃછાયા પરીવારે ઉમાને અશ્રુભીની વિદાઈ આપી હતી.

  અનાથ બાળકોનો ઉછેર કર્યા બાદ તેમને યોગ્ય પાત્ર મેળવી તેમને સમાજમાં એક અનોખું સ્થાન આપવું અને તે પણ કોઈ આશય વગર,  અહીના સાધ્વી બહેનોનો  આ માતૃપ્રેમ આંખે ઉડીને તો વળગે છે પણ સાથે સાથે સમાજમાં માતૃપ્રેમ અને પિતૃપ્રેમ થી દુર રહેલા આવા દરેક બાળકને ઘર અને પ્રેમભર્યો સ્વીકાર મળે તે માટે આંગળી ચીંધે છે.      

નવ દંપતીને નિહાળવા માટે વીડિઓ ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો.



Yesterday there was a wedding at Matruchaya at Nadiad. Matruchaya is an orphanage home, managed by Sisters Of St. Anne, Nadiad.

 Uma the girl who was brought up here got married with a boy Vikesh from Baroda. Superior Sister Benita and the Community, children and the staff of Matruchaya took responsibility  for the marriage. It is a step towards  rehabilitation by them for the grown up children at Matruchaya. Rev Fr. Brito blessed the marriage at St. Mary's Church, Nadiad.  The presence of respected fathers and sisters and a lot of people made the wedding vibrant and joyful. Please click on the video

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Photos Of Matruchaya Wedding

Special Thanks To
Sr. Benita, Sr, Shital, Children and the staff Of Matruchaya

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O Maa Mariyam Bhajan - Bible Adhiveshan at Dadhvada

Bible Adhiveshan, Dadhvada

Please click on the video for one of the Mother Mary bhajans which helped people to pray to God.  

 Bible Adhiveshan was organized on the Year of Faith in Dadhvada, South Gujarat. It was first time arranged for Catholics in Dadhvada on 15th,16th,17th,18th. Many tribal Catholics flocked at Dadhvada during these four days of Bible Adhiveshan. The team of Rev. Fr. George (Delhi) and Rev. Fr. Jalastine helped all of them to pray and go closer to God through prayers, Bhajans and testimony of people.

  Rt. Rev. Bishop Godfrey Rosario S.J. Baroda Dio. celebrated the mass and preached on the inauguration day. Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Macwan Ahmedabad Dio. celebrated the mass and shared a few examples of  people to encourage and share the faith. Rt. Rev. Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes S.J. Ghandhinagar Dio.celebrated mass on 3rd day, shared Christ in front of so many people gathered in His name. The presence of Rev. Fr. Jose Changanacherry S.J. ( Provincial Of The Society Of Jesus ) made the Adhiveshan more prayerful.  And Rt. Rev. Bishop Godfrey Rosario S.J. celebrated mass on the closing of Bible Adhiveshan.

The team of Rev. Fr. James Vaz S.J. did a wonderful teamwork during the Bible Adhiveshan.  

Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Britto S.J.,  Re. Fr. Xavier S.J. and the people of South Gujarat.

Bible Adhiveshan, Dadhvada

Facebook users do click the below given link for more photos.

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NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY

 THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

                                                                     Mark 13, 24-32

Rev. Fr. Valentine Desouza S.J.

 “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generationwill certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father

NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY

José Antonio Pagola

Translated by Rev. Fr. Valentine Desouza S.J.

 Apocalyptic language, made up of images and symbolic resources, speaks of the end of the world. The best knowledge we have of it today, allows us to listen to the hopeful message of Jesus, without falling into the temptation of sowing anxiety and terror in consciences.

 One day the exciting history of the human race will come to an end. This is the firm conviction of Jesus. This too is what current science foresees. The world is not eternal. This life will end. What will become of our struggles and work, of our efforts and aspirations?

 Jesus speaks with restraint. He does not want to feed morbid curiosity. He cuts out at the root any attempt to speculate with calculations, dates or the hour. “No one knows the day or the hour, only the Father.” No collective frenzy before the end. The world is in good hands. The world is not heading towards chaos. We can trust in God, our creator and Father.

 Based on this total trust, Jesus shows his hope: creation as we know it will end, but it will be to make way for a new creation, that will have as its center the Risen Christ. Is it possible to believe something so magnificent? Can we speak like this before anything has happened?

 Jesus has recourse to images everyone can understand. One day the sun and the moon which today give light to the earth and make life possible, will shine no more. The world will remain in darkness. Will the history of humanity also be blotted out? Will our hopes end in this way?

 According to the version of Mark, in the middle of the night the “Son of man” will appear, that is, the Risen Christ, who will come “with great power and glory”. His saving light will illuminate everything. He will be the centre of a new world, the start of a humanity renewed forever.

 Jesus knows it is not easy to believe in his words. How can he prove things will happen as he says? With a surprising simplicity, he asks us to live life as a spring time. Everyone has experienced it: life that seemed dead during winter begins to awaken; in the branches of the fig tree little leaves begin to sprout. Everyone knows that summer is near.

 The life we now know is like spring. It is not possible to take in the harvest. We cannot obtain final achievements. But there are small signs of life in the making. Our efforts to bring about a better world will not be lost. No one knows the day, but Jesus will come. With his coming the ultimate mystery of reality we believers call God, will be revealed.

No one knows the day, but Jesus will come

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

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

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Bible Adhiveshan - Gamdi- Anand

 ચરોતર પંથકમાં આણંદ ખાતે  તા 15 ના રોજ બાઈબલ અધિવેશનનું ભવ્ય આયોજન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું. આ પ્રસંગે અમદાવાદ ધર્મપ્રાંતના ધર્માધ્યક્ષ રેવ. બિશપ થોમસ મેકવાન દ્વારા મહાખ્રિસ્તયજ્ઞ અર્પણ કરી બાઈબલ અધિવેશનનો શુભ આરંભ કર્યો હતો. આ બાઈબલ અધિવેશનમાં આવેલ રેવ ફા અનિલ દેવ (માતૃધામ, વારાણસી) તથા તેમની ટીમને  ફુલહાર વિધિથી આવકાર્યા હતા. અહી મોટી સંખ્યામાં ભક્તજનોએ ભાગ લીધો હતો  અમદાવાદ ડીનરીથી આવેલ પુરોહિતગણ, સાધ્વી બહેનો અને ભક્તજનોની મેદનીથી અહી પ્રાર્થનામય વાતાવરણ બની રહ્યું હતું      

પહેલા દિવસના ફોટો અહી મુકવામાં આવ્યા છે 

ડાબી બાજુથી  રેવ. ફા અનીલ દેવ અને રેવ. ફા. આલ્બર્ટ એસ. જે. 

 આજે અહી તા 18 ના રોજ આણંદમાં બાઈબલ અધીવેશન પૂર્ણ થયું હતું.

                  

Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Albert S.J., Rev. Fr. Maxim S.J. and the Anand community,  and the youth and the people of Gamdi- Anand.

Facebook users do click the below given link for more photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.489596337747879.110964.100000925516620&type=1&l=3b04d9ab7f

Support
Ramesh Y. Parmar

Photos by
BBN

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Children's Day - બાળ દિન

Please click on the video (6 years old boy from Girnar forest shares his singing talent on Children's Day with BBN. They are to be encouraged for their talents for the Church, for the Society)

Yesterday was Children's Day

Photo Google

Children's day in India is celebrated on Pandit Nehru's birthday ( 14th November) as a day of fun and frolic, a celebration of childhood, children and Nehruji's love for them.

On November14, 1889, a son was born to an eminent lawyer, Motilal Nehru and his wife Swaroop Rani at Allahabad. They named him Jawaharlal. He was a brilliant, kindhearted child who was greatly loved by all. His father wanted to give him the best education and hence sent him to England for his M.A. from Cambridge. The British ruled India at that time.When he returned to India, young Jawaharlal realized that he wanted to help the poor and the downtrodden. He took part in the Freedom Struggle of India and became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi who had just returned from South Africa at that time. When India gained its independence, he became the first Prime Minister of free India

 He was a perfect blend of eastern philosophical values and western scientific thinking and encouraged technological progress. But he was also a man of letters and a great poet and wrote some famous works like, ‘Glimpses of World History’ and ‘Discovery of India’. His letters to his daughter, Indira, were also compiled into a book and reflects his philosophical outlook, his compassion and above all, his tender heart.
became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi who had just returned from South Africa at that time. When India gained its independence, he became the first Prime Minister of free India.

The Birth of Chacha Nehru

Chacha Nehru as the children fondly referred to him, was fond of both children and roses. In fact he often compared the two, saying that children were like the buds in a garden. They should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they were the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. He felt that children are the real strength of a country and the very foundation of society. He was the ‘beloved’ of all the children who gave him the endearing name of ‘Chacha Nehru’.

Source: www.indif.com

photo: Google

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THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Mark 12, 38-44

 Translated by Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza S.J. 

Rev. Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J. 

  As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

The contrast between the two scenes could not be stronger. In the first, Jesus puts people on their guard against religious leaders: “Beware of the teachers of the Law!”, their conduct can cause much harm. In the second, he calls his disciples to take note of the gesture of a poor widow: simple people can teach them to live the Gospel.

 The hard and unmistakable language Jesus uses to unmask the false religiosity of the scribes is surprising. He cannot bear their vanity and their fondness for showing off. They seek to dress in a special way, and to be greeted with reverence, to stand out over against others, to assert themselves, and dominate.

 Religion serves them to feed their conceit. They recite “long prayers” to create an impression. They do not create community, for they place themselves above all others. Basically, they only think of themselves. They thrive on taking advantage of weak people, the ones they ought to serve.

 In the second scene, Jesus is seated in front of the treasury box for offerings. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts: those who maintain the Temple. Soon a woman goes over to the box. Jesus observes her dropping in two very small copper coins. She’s a poor widow, battered by life, alone without resources. She probably survives begging next to the Temple.

 Mark does not report the words of Jesus to condemn the scribes who were in the Temple of Jerusalem before its destruction, but to put on their guard the Christian communities for whom he writes. Religious leaders ought to be servants of the community, nothing more. If they forget this, they are a danger for all. They must react so that they do not cause harm.

 Deeply moved, Jesus quickly gathers his disciples. They must not forget the gesture of this woman, for, although in dire straits, “she threw in all she had to live on.” While the lawyers take advantage of religion, this woman gives away everything for the others, trusting wholly in God.

 Her gesture reveals the heart of true religion: great trust in God, amazing gratitude, generosity, simplicity, truth and love that begets solidarity. We do not know the name of this woman or her face. We only know that Jesus saw in her a model for future leaders of his Church.

 Also today, so many men and women of simple faith and generous hearts are the best we have in the Church. They don’t write books, or give sermons, but they are the ones who keep alive the Gospel of Jesus among us. We priests and bishops must learn from them.

Proclaim the Gospel lived by simple people

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

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

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Shrine of Mother Mary at Korvi - Year Of Faith Special

A beautiful Shrine of Mother Mary on a hill, near the river. The video also has a beautiful bhajan of Mother Mary. The video is prepared so that during this Year Of Faith 2012-2013 may be helpful to visit the Shrine. A lot of people visit the Shrine during the Religious get together ( Korvi Mata No Medo) in the month of February.

Please click on the video.


- BBN

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Chalo Prabhuna Maanma - Video Bhajan

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- BBN

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Efforts for the upliftment of weaker sections of the society

  “Past two generations still have sweet memories of Late Smt. Jasodaben Macwan. Born in 1936 and hailing from a renowned family of Sojitra, Jasodaben had little opportunities to take up higher studies. She had no option but to get married. She got married to a gentleman named Jacob Clemens of Bedva. Before this, she had joined as a primary teacher at Prantij of Sabarkantha and later at St. Joseph’s primary school at Gomtipur.

 The years that followed became very tough for her. With a meager amount of salary earned by Shri Jacob Clemens, her husband, she had to manage the show. She became good house-wife, an author, social reformer and a business woman. During her active involvement with various committees of Congress (I), she founded in 1992, a non-governmental organization called Rachna Khadi Gramodhyog Seva Sadan.”

  Keeping in mind the well-being of poors, women and children alike, Jasodaben put her level best efforts for the upliftment of weaker sections of the society. She, however, could not achieve many  goals set before her, as her old age and health did not allow her continue with the same zeal and enthusiasm she had nurtured before. It was then she felt it necessary that the show must go on. The organization of her dream was then handed over to her daughter Smita Macwan settled at Vadodara.

 Circumstances, however, did not permit her daughter to keep going. Later, she took initiative and with the help of some well-wishers decided to hold a free Medical Camp for the down-trodden residing in slum pockets.

 Accordingly, on 28th October, 2012; Sunday, the first free Medical Check-up Camp was held at Chhani Jakat Naka; Vadodara. Rev. Fr. Lucas S.J, with prayers and blessings, cut the ribbon and opened the Camp. Smt. Smita Macwan, President of the Trust reiterated the need to serve the poor and affirmed to continue various social activities and nourish the incomplete dream of late Smt. Jasodaben Macwan, the former President of the Trust. More than 200 beneficiaries were benefited. Free medicines were disbursed, more than 100 blood samples were checked up for detecting diabetes.

 At the end, Certificates of appreciation were distributed to the entire medical team as also to volunteers at the hands of Rev. Fr. Jayant Rathod S.J, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church.”

News And Photos 

Mr. Bakul Macwan

Chhani, Vadodara

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Making Of The Poet Shree Yoseph Macwan

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સર્જક શ્રી યોસેફ મેકવાન

ખ્રિસ્તી સમાજના છઠ્ઠા દાયકાના ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યના આધુનિક પ્રવાહના નોંધપાત્ર કવિ અને સર્જક શ્રી યોસેફ મેકવાનને દિલ્હી સાહિત્ય અકાદમી તરફથી  બાળ  સાહિત્ય અંગેનો રાષ્ટીય કક્ષાનો અવોર્ડ  " આવ હયા, વારતા કહું " બાળ  વાર્તા સંચય માટે તા 20-21 નવેમ્બર 2012 ના રોજ પુના ખાતે એનાયત કરવામાં આવવાનો છે.

ફોટો : દૂત 

 કવિ અને સર્જક શ્રી યોસેફ મેકવાનનો જન્મ તા 20-12-1940 અમદાવાદમાં થયો, જીવનમાં આવતા ચઢાણ ઉતરાણ બાદ તેમનું સાહિત્ય ક્ષેત્રેનું પ્રયાણ ખુબજ ઉમદા રહેલ છે તેમનું નામ એક મોટા ગજાના કવિ તરીકે ગુજરાતની સાહિત્યિક દુનીયામાં ગુંજતું રહેલ છે   કવિ તરીકે ગુજરાતી બાઈબલમાં સ્તોત્ર વિભાગમાં એમનું મોટું યોગદાન જોઈ શકાય છે તો, સાથે સાથે સર્જક તરીકે મૂલ્યવાન યોગદાન ગુજરાતના સાહિત્ય ક્ષેત્રમાં પણ આપેલ છે

 લઘુ નિબંધ, વ્યંગ નિબંધ, લઘુ નવલ અને વાર્તાઓ તો ખરાજ પણ બાળ સાહિત્યમાં પણ નોધપાત્ર યોગદાન  તેમણે આપેલ છે તેમના બાળ  સાહિત્ય જેવા કે "પ્રાણીબાગની સેર",  " પમરાટ",  "કલરવ",  "વાહ રે વાર્તા વાહ",  " રૂમઝુમ પતંગિયું", "જાદુઈ પીછું",  "ઢીચકુ", "તોફાન" , "ડીંગ ડોંગ"  આ દરેક સંચયોને પણ ગુજરાત સરકારના ઇનામો મળ્યા છે.

 મળતી માહિતી મુજબ ગુજરાતી કેથલિક સમાજમાં પીઢ  સર્જક સ્વ. શ્રી જોસેફ મેકવાનને પહેલો રાષ્ટ્રીય અવોર્ડ મળ્યો હતો અને આજે બીજો અવોર્ડ મોટા ગજાના કવિ અને સર્જક શ્રી યોસેફ મેકવાનને મળી રહ્યો છે.    

 તો ચાલો, તેમની ખુશીમાં ભેળા મળી સહભાગી બનીએ            

તેમને અભિનંદન પાઠવવા માટે નીચે આપેલ સરનામાં ઉપર પત્ર વ્યવહાર કરી શકો છો .

  

To,

Shree Yoseph Macwan

C-4 Sun Shine Apartments

Dr. Radhakrushana Marg 

Amadavad 380015

Email:  yosephmacwan@gmail.com

  

News BBN

Special thanks to GSP, Anand

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ભાલ સમાજના પ્રથમ પુરોહિત ફા.નટુ મકવાણા

ભાલ સમાજના પ્રથમ પુરોહિત ફા.નટુ મકવાણા 

 તેમને આમોદ ખાતે પુરોહિતદીક્ષા આપવામાં આવી હતી    

[P 

વધુ વિગત માટે નીચે ક્લિક કરશો
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Ordination Of Rev.Fr. Natu Makvana from Vijay Macwan

Photo BBN 
Place:Petlad Medo

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Amod medo _Religious get together at Amod

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THE IMPORTANT THING_ José Antonio Pagola

THIRTY FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (B) 4 November 2012

Mark 12, 28-34

Translation by Re.Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J

Fr. Valentine de Souza S.J.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

THE IMPORTANT THING

José Antonio Pagola

 A scribe comes to Jesus. He doesn’t come to set a trap for him, nor does he want to discuss any issue. His life is based on laws and regulations which tell him how to behave in every instance. However, he has a problem at heart. “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” What’s decisive in seeking fulfillment in life?

 Jesus understands very well what troubles the soul of that man. When norms and precepts, customs and rites keep piling up in religious practice, it is easy to live a rudderless existence, without knowing what exactly is fundamental to give a healthy direction to one’s life. Something of the kind happened in certain spheres of the Jewish religion.

 Jesus does not quote the commandments of Moses. He simply reminds him of the prayer both of them had said that very morning at sunrise, according to the Jewish custom: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

 The scribe is thinking about a God who has the power to command. Jesus puts him before a God whose voice we must listen to. What’s important is not to know precepts and fulfill them. It is crucial to stop and listen to the God who speaks to us without using human words.

 When we listen to the true God, our hearts are drawn to love. It is not properly speaking a command. It’s what arises within us when we open ourselves to the ultimate mystery of life: “You must love.” In this experience there are no religious go-betweens, no theologians, no moralists. We do not need anyone to direct us from outside ourselves. We know that the important thing is to love.
 

 This love of God is not a feeling or an emotion. To love the one who is the source and origin of life is to live loving life , creation, things and especially people. Jesus speaks of loving “with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, with all one’s being.” No mediocrity or ulterior motives. Only complete generosity and trust.

 Jesus adds something more the scribe had not asked. This love of God is inseparable from the love of neighbor. One can only love God by loving the neighbor. Otherwise the love of God is a lie. How can we love the Father without loving his sons and daughters?

 We Christians are not always careful about this synthesis of Jesus. We often tend to confuse the love of God with religious practices and fervor, forgetting the love in practice that brings us together with those excluded by society and forgotten by religion. For what truth is there in our love of God if we turn our backs on those who suffer?

Spread the love of God 

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

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

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The great missionary Late Fr.George Kunnath CMI Passed away on 31-Oct-2012

 Rev. Fr. George Kunnath CMI (72), the great missionary of the Kutch passed away on 31-Oct-2012 at the Lilavathy Hospital, Mumbai at 8.05 am.

 He was admitted to the hospital three days ago as he was found lying unconscious on his bed early morning at the CMI house in Mumbai. He was suffering from Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease since a few years. Incidentally he was in Mumbai for a routine check up on his way to Bangalore to attend a meeting. Doctors said that he had a massive brain hemorrhage during the night.

 Rev. Fr George, belonging to the CMI St. Xavier’s Province, Rajkot was born in 1940 at Karimannoor, near Thodupuzha, Kerala, and was ordained priest in 1969. His first appointment as Priest was in Dharmaram College, Bangalore, the major seminary of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. There he was designated to manage the huge dairy farm of the seminary. After his service in Bangalore for nine years he was appointed Prior of the Monastery at Vazhakulam. And it was from here that Bishop Jonas picked him up for his future glorious service in the Diocese of Rajkot in 1981.

 Father George is a person whom the people of Kutch will never forget. He was a great missionary who took the message of the love of God to the poor and suffering people of the hard terrains of Kutch, geographically as big as Kerala, as part of the social work department of the Diocese of Rajkot. The blind, the deaf, the lame, the poor, the marginalized and the mentally challenged in great numbers found new energy and life in him. A winner of many, church, state and national awards, he was considered by the locals as the uncrowned king of Kutch because of the amount of welfare work he did and the influence he had in the society and with the Government.

 The Kutch Vikas Trust (K.V.T.) of which he was the founding Director, which post he held until his death is a registered Charitable Trust based in Raidhanpar, Bhuj, in the District of Kutch 220 kilometers from Rajkot was formed by 1981 by the late Bishop Jonas Thaliyath. Financed by the CHRISTOFFEL BLINDEN MISSION and the ANDHERI HILFE, its aim was the integral development of the Kutch region.

 The main work of KVT is spread in the 250 acres of land belonging to the Trust. The major work are integrated education centre and hostel for the blind children, General Dispensary, eye specialization hospital , Rehabilitation of the blind, AIDS care, agricultural training centre, Dairy farm, fish hatcheries, fisheries cooperative societies, etc. From here they reach out to scores of villages for medical camps, water shed programmes and advocacy and awareness programmes. The devastating earthquake of 2001 brought the true mettle in the person of Fr Kunnth. He worked hard , got the assistance of funding agencies and built countless houses for the victims.

 He was actively involved in the following Government and Non Governmental bodies:

- Reproduction and Child Care committee of Government of Gujarat 

- Committee for Child Labour Abolition 

- Hariyali Project a Lead NGO in Gujarat 

- Fisher Peoples Association 

- National Association for the Blind, Kutch, 

- Blind welfare Council , Kutch, 

- Federation of the Blind, Kutch 

 Fr George Kunnth/s foresight and vision for future was instrumental in the founding of seven other mission stations in the region of Kutch which are now doing much needed service in the social and academic sectors in the following places:

Lakhpat 

Dayapar 

Mandvi 

Naliya 

Nadapa and 

Mundra. 

Since 1998 Fr George has received a dozen awards from the state and National Governments, for his outstanding services for the rehabilitation of the blind, marginalized and the poor.

He received the following awards:

1998 Van Pandit award from Government of Gujarat 

2001 Award for outstanding service to the disabled from the Government of Gujarat. 

2002 Award for remarkable service to the earthquake affected people 

2003 Bharat Excellence Award for outstanding service to the marginalized and poor 

2004 Best Employer of Disabled Award by Government of Gujarat 

2006 National Award for Best Employer of Disabled in the year 2006 

2007 Award for outstanding service for the welfare and development of 

the disabled in Kutch by Kutch Blind Welfare Association. 

2008 Social Apostolate Award by CMI Congregation for the outstanding

 service to the needy and disabled. 

2009 Gujarat State Award for the Welfare of the Blind and Disabled by 

Gujarat State Branch of NAB 

 Dressed always in simple attire, and keeping a smile always in his lips, Fr George Kunnath was a boss with a difference for the over 150 staff at KVT that included priests, sisters and lay people belonging to different religions. He reached every spot where KVT’s work was underway, met each staff member and worker and gave appropriate directions to one and all.

His idea of the mission was the following:

 “Let the people feel the Good News of Jesus from our selfless activities, rather that from our lips. They will start asking questions why we are here. The third or fourth generation of missionaries will hopefully, see some disciples of Jesus from this soil. In the meantime, the people have begun to say among themselves, ‘we please our gods by feeding the cows, but these Christians do so by serving us.’”

 Fr. George has 5 brothers and 6 sisters, one of whom is a nun in the Presentation congregation. Indeed, Fr George Kunnath’s life is an invitation to all of us to shed any sort of lethargy in our lives and embrace of life of action for the suffering and the needy in whose forms Jesus appears to us every day.

May his soul rest in peace

News And Photo 

Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kalathil

Deepti Printers And Publication And Communication, Rajkot.

And

Rev. Fr. Jerry Sequeira S.J.

GSP, Anand.

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