Some Reflection on Formation of Seminarians by Xavier James L.S.

Spiritual and Pastoral Formation  by Xavier James L. S.

Prologue

“TO BE WITH HIM AND TO BE WITH THEM”. This is the motto I have chosen to exercise my priestly ministry with and I feel that this is a relevant motto as I have gone through my life’s experiences for the several years of formation. To this motto of mine I have received the confirmation of the word of God thus, “And Jesus appointed twelve whom he also named apostles to be with him and to be sent out to proclaim the message” (Mark.3:4). This is the ultimate aim of priestly vocation, by being with the Lord we learn from Him and experience Him immensely and that has to be cherished and reflected in the life of every priest and seminarian. I believe in the overall growth which will help one to be effective minister during the pastoral ministry. Charter for Priestly Formation in India describes, “The priest combines in himself the roles of prophet of God’s kingdom, animator and builder of the community and leader of the worshiping community”. Thus one takes part in the threefold ministry of Jesus as priest, prophet and king. However, spiritual and pastoral formation is the most important one to carry out the mission of Jesus besides intellectual formation of a candidate.

Spiritual Formation

“He appointed the apostles to be with him”. It has been my experience, whenever I go to Him and be with Him there is a renewed spirit within me to carry out the mission. One may justify this by intellectual and psychological reasoning, however it is not the fact, we need to remember we are not only material beings but also spiritual beings, that is why we need Him. Spiritual formation involves following Christ diligently, having apostolic zeal with which we entered the seminary. We need to have inner freedom which will enable us to choose what is best for us in the light of the values of Christ. By growing as a man of prayer we need to listen to the promptings of grace and spirit in our lives.  Let us see what the Church has to say about the spiritual formation of seminarians, “The guiding principle in the spiritual orientation of the students is that their life be centered in Christ through personal and community prayer nourished by the word of God. A meaningful participation in the liturgy, especially the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist will help them experience Christ’s sanctifying presence in them and in the community through Christ, thus experienced they will come to know the Father and love Him and to have Christ-like concern for all their fellow men”. I personally feel there are three significant means which will cherish our spiritual life: 1. Word of God 2. Eucharist 3. Personal Prayer.

1.Word of God: As mentioned above we need to give importance to the Word of God through which God speaks to us even today. I believe that the word of God is ever fresh and is able to strike gently the heart of every man and woman. This is very clear in the Bible, “The word of God is alive and active sharper than any double edged sword, it cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet to where joints and morrow come together, it judges the desires and thought of man’s heart. Hence the Bible is the source of nourishment for Christian life. By the careful study of the Sacred Scripture, reflection, interpretation and proclamation we make the word of God alive in day today life. This will be possible by the faith and love we have for the Word. Through our deeds we manifest the Word. Pope John Paul II says, “A loving knowledge of the Word of God and a prayerful familiarity with it are specifically important for the prophetic ministry of the priests”.

2. Eucharist: Active participation in the Eucharist and the genuine reverence to the Eucharistic Lord will sanctify us, ultimately the whole mystery lies in this, and by our example we can encourage people to part take in the Eucharist meaningfully. However the Eucharist has to be lived out. As Dr. Gilbert D’Lima says, “The real mass begins after the mass”, so also it urges us to lead a holy life and re-live the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.

3.Personal Prayer: Personal prayer has to be encouraged in the seminary besides community prayer and the seminarian should have desire in having contact with God, as Jesus himself had it. This has been a fruitful experience for me during my formation in having personal contact with my Lord. We should not blame the seminary saying it didn’t render much help in discovering our relationship with our God. So the spirit of prayer is to be valued higher than everything, hence, service or other activities shouldn’t substitute prayer whereas, service and the rest flow from prayer. For this seminarians have to be guided by a person who has heart to love young people, values them, understands them, accepts them and helps them to grow spiritually, psychologically, intellectually and in interpersonal relationship. In this context CBCI says, “At this stage they need to be guided by a competent spiritual director who will help them to be sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in their lives and to respond with generosity and courage”.

Pastoral Formation

‘As you are a seminarian so you are a priest’ this is the words of many experienced priests. Side by side forming ourselves spiritually we need to form ourselves pastorally. These two are very significant and inter-related. Spiritually means involving a greater awareness of being, being loved, being challenged to grow by the relationship with people. This is the time we are exposed to the world and we know the real suffering of the people around us in love, relationships and challenges. This is why the seminary gives a lot of importance in pastoral formation so that the seminarian is equipped for the future ministry. Pope John Paul II says, “Spiritual formation also involves seeking Christ in people”. If we are not able to see God in human being, our formation becomes meaningless. For this, each seminarian has to have a heart of love and concern for others. The Pope adds, “Human formation is the basis of all priestly formation”. This is very specific in the Bible when we speak of Christ’s priesthood. “Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God” (Heb. 5:1). Precisely this is why the Church urges every seminarian to have human qualities because the Pope notes that, “every future priest should therefore cultivate a series of human qualities, not only out of proper and due growth and realization of self, but also with a view to the ministry. These qualities are needed to them to be balanced people, strong and free, capable of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities. They need to be educated to love the truth, to be loyal, to respect every person to have sense of justice, to be true to their world to be genuinely compassionate, to be men of integrity and especially to be balanced in judgment and behavior”.   

I am proud of the Catholic Church to which I belong, pays more attention humanity whilst dealing with divinity. After acquiring every skill the seminarian plunges into real pastoral work and learns everyday and tries to improve day by day. Pastoral formation involves the life-giving principle just as the Master who gave himself up to the people and being available all the time and whether blamed or accused. Seminarian needs to take this in a positive manner keeping the example of his Master. ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).

Pope John Paul II says, “The priesthood is not an institution that exists alongside the laity or above it. The priesthood is for the laity and precisely for this reason it possesses a ministerial character that is to say one of service”. We need to remember always that the priesthood is instituted to serve, not to dominate and seek power and position. Every seminarian has to be able to listen with his ears, eyes and heart opened to the reality around, then to pray for them. Then one can go ahead in helping them with cooperation of the responsible persons. During the seminary formation specific attention has to be paid for strict pastoral training. Vatican II says, “These are principally the sacred ministry, catechetic, preaching liturgical worship and the administration of the sacraments, works of charity, their duty to contact those in error and the unbelievers and other pastoral duties”.

The seminarians have to have personal interest in reconciling the families and people to each other and to the Catholic Church, this apostolic zeal will make their ministry meaningful. As the Apostles were appointed to be sent out to proclaim the message so also with tremendous enthusiasm we need to study the Sacred Scripture, reflect over it and preach diligently and effectively because people hunger for the word of God. We should never stop teaching and preaching because this makes us and the people holy and the Word of God sanctifies us day by day. And our profound pastoral involvement will add more strength to our formation.

Epilogue

In conclusion we see the spiritual and the pastoral formation are inter-related, inter-linked and two sides of the same coin. It is in our hand to form and mould ourselves and be efficacious ministers. And so an unknown author says, “You have been called to live in the midst of the world, without wishing it’s pleasures. To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none. To share all sufferings to penetrate all secrets, to heal all the wounds. To go from human to God and offer Him their prayers, to return from God to human to bring pardon and hope. To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity. To teach and to pardon to console and bless always. What a glorious life and it is yours O Friend of Jesus Christ.

Bibliography

CBCI. (2004). Charter of Priestly Formation for India. New Delhi: Divya Deepti Sadan.
D, S. (1996). Priest & People. London: The Tablet Publishing Company Limited.
D'Lima, G. (1999). A session for Laity. St. Pius . Mumbai: St. Pius college, Goregaon.
II, J. P. (1992). Pastores Dabo Vobis:On the formation of Priests in the circumstances of the present day. Mumbai: St. Paul's.
II, V. (1997). Training of Priests. Mumbai : St. Pauls.

Feast day Eucharist of St.Jude on 28th October 2012, Jerimeri, Mumbai

The Life & Ministry of St. John Mary Vianney By Xavier James L. S.

JEAN MARIE BAPTISTE VIANNEY by Xavier James L S

“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1Cor.1:27). Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney was one among these!

He was born in a good and pious Catholic family as the fourth son of Mathew and Marie Beluse, in Daridelly, a small village near Lyons in France, on 8^th May 1786. At the time of his birth, due to the French Revolution, the practice of faith had lost its importance in France. Fortunately in his own family and village, people were still deeply religious.

Infancy

His family recited their evening prayers and the Rosary on their knees. He joined them on his knees when he was just 18 months. He thus showed an interest in piety right from his infancy. Since there were no schools, the children used to graze cattle, whilst their parents worked in the fields. Our young Jean too was sent along with his sister Margarite to graze sheep, donkeys and cattle. They would kneel and pray whilst they were grazing the animals, and were looked at with curiosity by other children.

Desire to become a Priest

Fr. M. Groboy remembers that Jean was very diligent boy with good memory. In 1797, when Jean was 11, Fr. Groboy met him at Daridelly, and asked him if he went for Confession. When Jean told him that he did not go for confession, Fr. Grobo sat with Jean to hear his first confession. A year later, Jean received Jesus in Holy Communion for the very first time. In 1802, Jean experienced some inner desire to save many souls by becoming a priest. He related this wish to his mother, who encouraged him and communicated this to the Parish Priest Fr. Charles Balley. The Parish Priest noticed that Jean looked serious about this desire and his motive was selfless too, as he wanted to be a priest for the glory of God and the good of souls.

Obstacles and Struggles

In 1807, Jean received the sacrament of Confirmation, at the hands of his uncle, Cardinal Fesch. His uncle was delighted to learn that wished to become a priest. Jean’s father was not willing to send Jean to the seminary, as he could not afford the expenses, and wanted Jean to help him in their fields. Yet, his father did loose Jean to another cause. Since Napoleon’s army was then short of soldiers, one day they took Jean to their camp for training.

Hospitality

During his training, Jean fell very sick, and was sent for rest. Two ladies took very good care of Jean, who was amazed to receive such hospitality from the ladies. Towards the end of his stay with them, he told them that as soon as he reaches home, he would begin another type of training, this time for the priesthood. So Madam Claudine Fayot gave him a cassock, another old peasant woman sold her pig and gave Jean the money. Many were attracted to Jean for he was a good and holy young man, with an attractive personality.

Studies & Priesthood

Jean returned to Daridelly on 28^th May 1811, when he was 25, he was preparing to go to the Seminary at Lyons. However, his father was not willing to send him, finally when his mother pleaded for Jean, and his father relented and agreed to send him. Once in the seminary, it was observed that Jean had difficulty in studying Latin. Jean was thus sent to Fr. Balley, who went to Lyons and spoke to the professors concerned. They agreed to appoint a new examiner in the person of Fr. Bochard. Fr. Bochard noted that Jean’s answers were accurate and clear, and remarked, “It is not only learned priests that the Church needs but still more devoted priests”. Fr. Balley being  a Canon Lawyer could conduct the exams and train Jean for the priesthood. He found Jean to be hardworking, prayerful and confident. He had much trust in Jean, which also played its part in Jean’s achieving his goal of becoming a priest.

Life of the new priest

 Having completed his studies, Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney was ordained a priest by the local Bishop Simon on 13the August 1815. He celebrated his first Eucharist the following day in the seminary. The new priest was back in Daridelly and was very helpful to his vocation promoter in his ministry. He visited the sick and preached the Word of God. He took a lot of time to prepare his sermons, which were short and clear. He also catechized and baptized but was not allowed to hear confessions. Fr. Balley took the initiative and prepared Jean to appear for the exams. As soon as Jean succeeded in his exams, Fr. Balley was the first person to confess to the new confessor. The two priests ate simple food, some potatoes crusts of bread and on occasion some boiled meat. When Fr. Balley fell ill, Fr. Jean took care of the parish. On17th December 1817 having received the Sacrament of the sick at the hands of the one who humanly speaking owed him his vocation, Fr. Balley breathed his last.

The death of Fr. Balley was a great loss for Fr. Jean, and he felt deeply sad. In the passing away of Fr. Balley, Fr. Jean had lost a father, counselor and above all a great friend. He also remarked, “If I were a painter, I could still do a portrait of him” hence he could say towards the end of his life, “I have encountered some beautiful souls in my life”.

The New Parish Priest of Ars

His Bishop then appointed Fr. Jean to an obscure village named Ars, which was 18 miles from Erully in the diocese of Lyons. Fr. Jean arrived at his new parish of Ars on 8^th February 1818. Receiving his assignment from the Vicar General V.M. Courbon, Fr. Jean was told, “There is no great love of God in the parish and you will enkindle it”. Fr. Jean kept this in mind as he worked in his parish, and was willing to even give his own life so as to save souls. Fr. Jean was generous by nature, a man full of confidence, a pleasure to meet. He attracted people with his smile, and his sense of humour. He had the sound common sense of a peasant. He was sharp in listening to people and ever committed to their service. He never considered himself being above them or their superior.

Self-renunciation & simplicity

The practice of simplicity which Fr. Jean acquired since his early years during his training for the priesthood was lived by him even after becoming a parish priest. His food and dress habits were very simple. He visited families of his parish and wherever he was offered a meal he would refuse giving excuses that he had just had his meal. Once his elder brother Francois came to meet him and found nothing to eat in the presbytery. Finally he managed to dig for some potatoes and managed to satisfy his hunger. When asked by others, Fr. Jean’s answer was, “One does not mind a few discomforts if it is a means of pleasing God”. Once the bishop was visiting the neighbouring parishes and towards the end of his pastoral visit, a dinner was held Fr. Jean was also present with his old cassock, patched boots and unadorned by a sash. One of the priests present passed a comment, “And he is sitting up there with the Bishop without a sash”. One of his colleagues answered, “Even without a sash the cure D’Ars is worth more than many who wear one”. It is good to note that although he wore old clothes, Fr. Jean was always clean and tidy.

Parishioners of Ars

Fr. Jean noticed that number of faithful attending the Eucharist were few. He was very curious to know what was happening. He found people dancing in the clubs nearby instead of attending Sunday mass. When the chapel was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, Fr. Jean inscribed the following words at the bottom of the portrait of St. John the Baptist, “His head was the price of a dance”. Fr. Jean always insisted with people to do the things which were pleasing to God and not the world. Some of the parishioners were angry with him and abused him. One day one of the unmarried young women, living near the presbytery got pregnant. Many started accusing Fr. Jean as being the culprit. Although Fr. Jean was hurt he did not take notice of the abuses, but carried his hurts to God in prayer. He made every effort to bring all the people back to the faith, he prayed to God with words like, “Dear God, I will make every sacrifice I can, I will eat less, sleep less, turn my back on every comfort. I implore you to accept my sacrifices not only as penance for my own sins, but for those of my parishioners too. Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do”. Not only that, he also prayed, “God give me the conversion of my parishioners and for that sake if you want me to suffer for the rest of my life, I don’t mind it” he was truly a loving shepherd.

The ministry of the cure

Fr. Jean was full of zeal and enthusiasm, he carried out his pastoral work with amiability, endless patience and humility, he visited the villages and was available in and around Ars. Always, pleased to be of service he was never put off or put out at any sick call. He built schools for boys and girls between the years 1820-1823. He also founded a home for orphans, homeless and street girls and named it ‘Providence’. It actually existed on the providence of God. This is why once he admired the wonder of God and exclaimed, “God is really good. He looks after the poor”. He used to give medals or rosaries as he passed by people and blessed them. One day, two rich boys came to him asking for medals as he passed a street. Fr. Jean went to one of the shops nearby and bought a packet of medals, blessed them and gave them to the boys. He told the shopkeeper that one of them would pay the bill and walked out with a smile.

Ars is no more Ars

Fr. Jean used to often say that ‘Ars is no more Ars’ because it has changed a lot. In 1830 Ars was completely converted to the faith. Many pilgrims started coming towards Ars, trying to get  a glimpse of the Parish Priest. They wished to hear him preach, catechize, to go to confession to him, to receive his blessing as he passed by, to touch his cassock or his breviary. There was now very little privacy for him. He always welcomed people who came to meet him and attended to them in their needs. Once, one of his friends came to meet him and Fr. Jean said, “I am glad that your good angel inspired you to come to see me”. On another occasion, Miss.Catherine, who was with him for many years remarked, “Elsewhere missionaries sought out sinners but here the sinners seek you out”. To this he would say that he knew nothing but he also said, “Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have the right idea that is why so much ignorant folk know more than men of learning”. He had a lot of compassion towards the sinners. Once it so happened that one man came to the confessional and refused to open up and confess. Seeing this Fr. Jean started weeping in the confessional and the man asked him, “Why are you weeping Father?” Fr. Jean replied, “Because you don’t weep my son”. Sometimes Fr. Jean was tempted to run away from the parish and ask for a transfer. Yet he could not stay for long in other places because of his love for Ars which made him go back to Ars.

Opposition and rejection

Fr. Jean was rejected by his fellow priests and considered insane. Once in a meeting with the bishop, some priests complained that the Parish Priest of Ars was over zealous, ignorant and was behaving like an insane man. Hearing this comment about Fr. Jean, the bishop said, “I wish all my clergy had a touch of the same madness”. Seeing the work load of the Parish Priest, the parishioners of Ars asked the bishop to send a priest to assist Fr. Jean.  Fr. Raymond was sent to help Fr. Jean. Being a young priest he did not like the way things were moving in the parish and he often gave trouble to Fr. Jean and to the people, soon the people rejected him. When the people talked ill of Fr. Raymond, Fr. Jean would defend his co-pastor in the presence of the people. He also pleaded for him with the bishop asking the bishop to reward Fr.Raymond for all the help he rendered whilst at Ars. Later on, Fr. Raymond asked pardon of Fr. Jean and regarded him as a holy and exemplary parish priest.

Teaching of Fr. Jean Marie Vianney

Fr. Jean considered the priesthood as a fulfillment of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At Ars, the Eucharistic celebration would sometimes go on for three hours. He would catechize the people about the soul, heaven and being united with the creator. He sat at the confessional for 10 to 15 hours and had very little rest. He said, “Priests are spiritually weak as long as they do not have the Eucharist as the centre of their life”. As a priest he was a true shepherd with his heart full of zeal, enthusiasm and concern for the people. He observed an old man who came to Church after a hard day’s work and just sat before the Lord. One day Fr. Jean called the old man and asked him, “Everyday I see you coming to the Church, what prayer do you recite?” The old man replied, “Father, I do not know any prayer, I just look at Him and He looks at me and I go back”. Fr. Jean was happily surprised.

Fr. Jean would tell parable in his Sunday sermons, “A pure soul is like a fine pearl. As long as it is hidden in a shell in the depths of the sea, no one thinks of admiring it, but when it is exposed to the light of the day this pearl shines and it attracts attention. It is thus that a pure soul now hidden from the eyes of the world will one day shine before the angels in the light of eternity”.

A holy priest has gone home

Due to the simple food he ate, the little rest he took and the many years of hard work, Fr. Jean became very weak. One day he confessed during his sermon that “I wanted to sleep this morning but I had no hesitation in getting up, the salvation of souls was of the utmost importance”. When sick, he was unable to do any work but was always concerned about the people and the good of souls. In his last days Fr. Toccabier came to assist him and eventually took over as Parish Priest succeeding Fr. Jean after the latter’s death. Fr. Jean was always grateful to all those who helped him in one way or the other in his mission. Even on his sick bed he told them that he was praying for all of them. On 2^nd August 1859 Monday Fr. Jean grew weaker and received the Sacrament of the sick from Fr. Toccabier. Although very weak, Fr. Jean knelt down to receive the Sacrament. He was truly a man of convictions. On 3^rd the bishop came to see him at Ars and at the dawn of 4^th August he rendered his soul to God without any struggle, he was 73 and worked at Ars for 41 long years as the Parish Priest.

Well done good and faithful servant

According to his last wish Fr. Jean was buried at Ars. He was made venerable by Pope Pius IX on 13^th October 1872, Blessed in1905 by Pope Pius X and a saint in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Thereafter he was made the Patron of all the Parish Priest or pastoral clergy. Pope Pius X writes, “God grant that every priest may follow Abbe Vianney’s example. May all parish priests remember his example and imitate that ardent charity which urges us to despise all things even life itself”. Pope Benedict XVI declared the year of the priests in commemoration of the 150^th death anniversary of Vianney and announced him as a patron for all priests in 2009.

In conclusion let us reflect on these words of St. Jean Marie Vianney, “The more one knows men the less one loves them; but with God it is the precise contrary the better He is known the better He is loved. If you take fish out of water it will die, you see so it is with man without God and Anything we do without offering it to God, is wasted”

God made the one who was considered a fool, a useful and wise counselor and spiritual guide, who would guide many people with priests, religious, bishops and cardinals among them. If we take to heart and imitate in our lives the example of the great Saint Jean Marie Vianney, we too one day will be awarded with, “Well done good and faithful servant!”.

Bibliography

AJM Mausolfe JK Mausolfe. (1998). Saint Companions for each day . Mumbai: St. Pauls.

Attwater, D. The Avenel Dictionary of Saints. New York: Avenel Books.

II, P. J. (1986). Encyclical letter on Maundy Thrusday. Vatican: Vatican Press.

Sheppard, L. C. (1963). The Cure d Ars. London: Universe Books Edition.

Parish Feast on 24th June 2012 at Poothurai. Wonderful to be together with family members.

Siddhpur Mission 2012 by Xavier James

Brief History of Siddhpur Mission Parish:  by Xavier James

In the thirties and forties of last century the few isolated Catholic families mainly Railway employees of Siddhpur and nurses who served in the hospitals were ministered to from far away Rajkot, Gujarat.  From 1951 North Gujarat was put under the care of the Cathedral Parish of Ahmedabad city.  From 1966 the present parish was part of the kalol Mission started by Fr.M.Diaz Garriz sj who was in charge of Siddhpur from 1964 and pastoral needs were fulfilled by late Fr. Stephen D’souza sj. Regular Eucharist used to be held in the residence of Martin Fernandes and John Baptist Braganza who were the famous mechanics of North Gujarat. There was a Christian cemetery in Siddhpur which was eventually taken by the Muslims. Many good Christian doctors and nurses had served in Siddhpur town in the past. The parishioners were going to either Mehsana or Deesa for Sunday Mass in 1975. In 1998 Palanpur was made a new parish and the faithful used to go for the Sunday Masses to Palanpur which is thirty five kilometers away. On 11^th November 2002 Ahmedabad was bifurcated and Gandhinagar was formed a new Archdiocese being the capital of Gujarat. After a decade the Metropolitan Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes dreamt of a new parish in Siddhpur. Thus it became a separate mission parish in June 2012, when Fr. Xavier James was appointed as the first parish priest. The parish covers the civil Taluka (Tehsil or Block) of Siddhpur at present in Patan District. The present plot for the Church was bought in the year 2009 at Umru village. This mission parish continues the work of evangelization among the catholic community of migrants from Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and other parts of Gujarat in the given area. The grand children of Martin Fernandes are of great help in their own way. Mr. Joy Thomas and Mr. Shaji are the oldest catholic migrants in this area beside John Baptist Braganza. The Catholic Church reaches out its evangelical mission to the other people of this Taluka. We intend to begin a high school for this area to provide quality and Christian education which will make known Christ in these areas. We also need a place of worship since we have the services in a rented house. We are determined to start Legal Aid and Human Rights centre in this area. The little daughters of St. Francis Xavier sisters also help in the progress of the mission.  This mission is the adventure of the Archdiocesan clergy. By God’s grace we really work for the development of the faith of these communities of this area. At present we help children and elders in their pastoral needs.

Aim of this Mission

This mission is for the propagation of faith among backward communities of North Gujarat, who are educationally and economically backward.  The level of education among the communities is very low, and practically nothing among the girl-child. There is hardly any interest for education and it is here that we feel that giving them quality education would help the communities to be educationally, socially and economically vibrant.  The main aim of the mission is to cultivate a taste for education to backward and marginalized communities of North Gujarat who are educationally backward. We try to implement our vision of the Archdiocese in this mission parish i.e “We are called to experience Jesus Christ and to strive for a liberated society where His values of love, equality, justice, forgiveness are lived and nurtured”.  We also keep in mind our mission that is ‘to strive towards a liberated society by proclaiming God’s love in Christ through witness and loving service to all especially the poor and the marginalized’. The communities here of different caste groups and are among the poor and the marginalized of North Gujarat. Hence we opt to work for these communities generously and willingly. We are ready to take up this challenge in catering to these communities through God’s grace. We are going to work and promote Legal Aid and Human Rights in these areas and Fr. Stanny Jebamalai has agreed to help us with the approval of the local ordinary. May God guide every step we take. 

Sacrament of Confirmation to an adult, St. Antony's feast mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Mumbai & with the devotees of St. Antony on 13th June 2012

Being infectious with generosity ( Pastoral Activities of Siddhpur Mission)

It was a hectic week for me as I had applied for the ‘Ekatrikaran’ i.e our survey numbers of the land are 120 and 129 (half) in Umru village so it is to be made one survey number. The Tehsildar ( block officer) has the authority to do this. Prior to this so much of paper work had to be done and spot inspection to be held and I was part of all these events certainly I acknowledge the help of Franklin Show and Martin Fernandes. I am happy at last it is done. Thanks be to God. (21^st Oct. 2012)

Being infectious with generosity (Pastoral Activities of Siddhpur)

As you all know this is a small and new parish so it is good to hold the community together through fellowship activities. On 4^th August 2012 was the inauguration and blessing of this rented parochial house and that day we had celebrated the Vianney Sunday Eucharist and we all had dinner together after ritually blessing the house and boiling and serving milk to everyone. Ms. Mary Joy played a key role in it. On 8^th September, the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady, we had celebrated Onam the harvest festival. Mr. Shaji Ms. Susan had prepared Onam meal which bound all of us together as one family. On 9^th September Mr. Shaji had organized a day of recollection for the parishioners at Unteshwari and it was well attended and we really appreciate such initiatives from the faithful. On 7^th October was the celebration of the birthday of the Archbishop and Sr. Neeta. All of us gathered together around the Eucharistic table and then for fellowship together. We really enjoyed the presence of the Archbishop and Vicar General among the faithful. On 14^th October Mr. Mathew and Thangmma the owners of this house wanted to give a meal to the elderly people at Sandhya Vishram in Unteshwari and the whole parish joined them. We would like to note that all the children were present for this occasion to imbibe the value of generosity and taking care of the elderly when they grow up.  On 21^st October was the Mission Sunday and all the faithful contributed generously for the spread of the Gospel. Thereafter we had the agape meal just like the early Christians in the first century. Each family brought one dish of food item prepared from their abundance and shared with others. It was a joy to be together and reliving the life of early Christian community. It is possible because the number is small and the faithful are generous in their support.  (21^st Oct. 2012)