Ordination Anniversary Eucharist at Umru-Siddhpur. All Glory to God. Thank you Lord.

Reflection on Ordination Anniversary at Umru-Siddhpur by Xavier James.

I would like to share with you my Personal and Pastoral Reflection in Siddhpur Parish

As I step into the 10^th year of my life as a Priest in the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar on 1^st May 2016 and as I complete 4 years in Siddhpur Parish (including 3 years in a rented apartment and 1 year in the newly built School building), I bow my head in gratitude to God for making me His instrument to reach out to many people.

After my priestly ordination, I was appointed at St. Xavier’s School, Deesa and by the grace of God proved to be a good administrator, teacher and pleasant co worker in the school and in the Parish. Within a span of one year, I was asked to take over the Parish work since the Jesuits were leaving Mehsana.  By the providence of God and diligent work, I was able to make it into a proper parish with the starting of Small Christian Communities. Thereafter, I was asked to do Master of Social Work, which I completed successfully from Nirmala Niketan, Bombay whilst staying at the Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba, Mumbai. By the benevolence of God became pastorally effective in reaching out to the poorest of the poor in the Slum and became a bridge between the rich and the poor and flat owners and slum dwellers. I was there at the time of need for the sick & dying and the grieving families of deceased members.

On completion of my studies, I was appointed at Siddhpur to pioneer into a new mission by His Grace Stanislaus Fernandes. Literally, I had to begin from nothing. On the 20^th August 2012, Shital Chhaya Charitable Trust was registered at the Asst. Charity commissioner’s office in Patan. A lot of hard work had been put in and much more running about was done to activate the Trust. Right from the preparation of the Trust Deed to its translation, correction, approval, consultations, clarifications, submissions all was done prior to the registration. After the Trust registration, obtaining a Pan Card of the Trust, 12AA certificate and opening of an account in the Union Bank of India, preparing an emblem of the trust were important tasks. Then we also obtained 80 G certificate and TAN from Income Tax Department. Every year the accounts were audited and submitted to the Archbishop, Asst. Charity Commissioner and Income Tax office in Patan and Ahmedabad. I was personally present for all the hearings conducted by Charity Commissioner, Income Tax officer.

His Grace Archbishop Stanislaus handed over to me the xerox copies of the documents of the land and then I went about to survey the land and erect some poles to mark the boundaries of our land at Umru, Siddhpur. As we had the land inside without proper entrance His Grace Archbishop Stanislaus was kind enough to buy a piece of land in order to have access to the existing land. This too took much time, energy, meetings, correspondence, visits, decision making, etc. After long struggle we obtained the NA permission and building permission for Umru. The priest was venturing into the villages for visiting and meeting on account of starting legal aid and strengthening of local governance in this vicinity with the help of Fr. Stanny Jebamalai. Many projects were written and sent to many agencies but hardly any response. The Archdiocese gave support for the new building, Holy Childhood for the school equipments such as children’s play area, tables, chairs, desks etc. Propagation of Faith helped for the priest residence.

With the help of the faithful, pastorally we have become vibrant with well prepared liturgy, with effective breaking of the Word and celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgical services also seven step methods of Gospel sharing. By the grace of God, sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Viaticum, anointing of the sick, funerals were celebrated in the parish in the past years. Carols singing in Catholic homes, hotel and School, Celebration of Christmas, New year, participation in the Stations of the Cross in different homes, celebration of Holy week, Easter celebration added strength to the faith of the believing community. The thematic preaching of Novenas for the Nativity of Our Lady has made the parishioners very much involved. The parish is sustained with the generous donations from the Archdiocese, some friends and parishioners. At this moment, I gratefully acknowledge the blessings of our Lord and people. We offer every effort to the feet of the Lord.

At the Archdiocesan level, as the Director of Youth for the past 3 years and Director of Archdiocesan Spoken English Course for 4 years, by the grace of God imparted Christian values to the young people. I have conducted life orientation programmes for the youth to get into the public sector by equipping themselves with various skills needed for it. We had conducted IAS, IPS, Village officers training programmes for the youth also various competitions for them in order to be more creative and dynamic in life. For Spoken English course besides the knowledge of the language, we had taken the catechism and faith formation seriously to bring up vibrant Catholic communities in the Archdiocese. I also emphasized on the preamble of the Indian Constitution to be better citizen of India.

Finally, amidst all these struggles and endeavours, it is the prayer life which sustained me and gave enough strength to be more dynamic and creative in the ministries. I know and trust that the Lord is always faithful and will never let me down. I bow my head in prayer and kneel before the Lord for tremendous providence I experienced. Finally, I thank God for both my Archbishops Stanislaus and Thomas for their love and concern.  All the well wishers, especially Martin and Philip Fernandes, Catholic members of Siddhpur parish. I am grateful for the encouragement you render to me. As letter to the Hebrew in Holy Bible states in 3:13 ‘Every day, as long as this today lasts, keep encouraging one another’ Much of my life as a priest has been about encouraging people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, offering them ‘fresh heart’, even in the most troubled moments of life. I do realise that I too need to receive encouragement and I am happy to be blessed with a wonderful family and very special friends like you who never stop encouraging me. I am very grateful also for the warmth of your support and prayers, not just today but from the time I came in contact with you. You have become a part of my life and ministry. I am confident that the Lord will watch over our new work and initiatives in the coming days as we get on with our work with a new English medium School. Mother Mary be our constant support as we break new ground in serving humanity. St. Joseph the worker intercede for the work of our hands. All Glory to God. {Xavier James}(1^st May 2016) 

St. Xavier's School, Umru-Siddhpur is all set for the new academic year with furniture and children's play area. All Glory to God

Vocation Sunday in Siddhpur parish

Vocation Sunday in Siddhpur parish

I believe that ‘the one who is happy with the vocation will always encourage vocation’. On the fourth Sunday of Easter known as Good Shepherd Sunday and a day of prayer for vocations, we, in Siddhpur Parish had a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Xavier James and assisted by Deacons Kingslin and Dominic Savio of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar. In the homily, the celebrant preached about the struggles in the pastoral ministry and the tremendous grace which follows and flows from the Lord without measure. He also insisted that as the baptized, lay people participates in the common priesthood of Jesus, they also become like pastors. After the recital of the creed, we shared on what makes us happy in the vocation journey. Deacon Kingslin shared that being with Jesus in prayer makes him happy to go on even in difficult times of the formation. Deacon Dominic Savio shared that Fr. Xavier James guided him to the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar and during the years of formation his prayer life sustained him amidst all struggles. Br. Dita shared about his struggle to become the follower of Christ and also to join the Seminary. He also said that his mission of being the apostle among his own people encourages him to move on in the vocation journey. The sharing was very appealing and the celebrant insisted that parents need to inspire their children to embrace religious and priestly life. It was the celebration of our own vocation which is the gratuitous gift from God. (Xavier James)

Vocation Sunday Eucharistic Celebration at Siddhpur parish with sharing of the joy of vocation journey by Deacons Kingslin, Dominic Savio and Br. Dita of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar.

Report of Archdiocesan Spoken English Course

The Report of Spoken English Course at Pethapur

30^th March to 16^th April, 2016

The Spoken English Course for the year 2016 was organized by Archdiocese of Gandhinagar from 30^th March to 16^th April for the students who have just completed their 10^th and 12^th Standard.  There were 54 students, 35 boys and 19 girls from 10 different Parishes of the Archdiocese.  The Course was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by His Grace Thomas Macwan. An Entrance test was conducted to check each student’s English and they were divided into three classes according to their performance.  The three groups were named as St. John, St. Luke, and St. Mark.   There were five Brothers and a Sister under the inspiring leadership of Fr. Xavier James, the coordinator of the programme. 

The students began the day with the Morning Prayer and the Holy Eucharist. They had five classes per day for learning Basic English Grammar.  To make learning more interesting and informal, the students were introduced into audio visual learning.  Apart from learning English, much importance was given to the spiritual life and Christian values. They had singing practice and the recitation of the Holy Rosary in the evening where they took active part in praising and thanking the Lord.  They had faith formation class in the afternoon. With the keen interest of Fr. Xavier James the students were taught about the Holy Bible, Sacraments, Eucharist, and the Preamble of Indian Constitution etc…which would help them in the long run to live their Christian values.

Cultural programme in the evening was part of the curriculum.   It was a good opportunity for each and every student to express himself or herself on the stage and it was a motivating force to develop their confidence in learning English. To create interest for the language some appropriate English movies and to instill Christian values some biblical movies were shown to them.  Every Sunday, weekend test was taken to check the progress of the students.  The evening time was allotted for sports and games.  On 10^th April they had an outing to where students relaxed and enjoyed togetherness with each other’s company. 

Atmosphere was created in the house for the students to speak only in English.  The medium of language for prayers, Holy Eucharist and cultural programme was English.  The students were encouraged by the Fathers, Brothers and Sisters to communicate only in English.  The course was fruitful.  It was seen in the students who really worked hard and made a lot of effort to speak in English.  The course came into the conclusion with a colourful cultural evening which was witnessed by Archbishop Thomas, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers and the students themselves.  The programme was well prepared with the help of Brothers and Sisters.  Everyone who was present there enjoyed the programme and appreciated the students for their wonderful performance. Thereafter with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist the course was concluded and most of them left the house in tears because they had lived as the members of one family. 

Deacon Kingslin

Date: 16^th April, 2016

Finale of the Archdiocesan Spoken English Course at Pethapur, Gandhinagar. All Glory to God