As I look back - A year in Siddhpur Parish - Fr. Xavier James.

As I look back

As I look back at the year that has passed by in Siddhpur Mission Parish, I bow my head in prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, Almighty. I thank Him for the many graces He has bestowed on me, the leader of the believing community. Initially, I was reluctant to take up the responsibility of being an animator and mentor of this new community in Siddhpur, but I took up this mission as a challenge and it was possible only because of prayer. Being in this life as a seminarian and as a priest for the last 25 years, I believe that if I am not humble and obedient then the whole priestly formation and service remain futile. Today, as I step into the seventh year of my priestly ministry, the biblical number of fullness, I want to thank all those who prayed, encouraged and helped me. My joy was doubled as the Church announced this year as the ‘Year of Faith’ and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gandhinagar thought of pioneering in new parish in Siddhpur.

As I look with the eyes of faith, I feel that it is providential that this Church or community in Siddhpur mission will spread the Good News through its witnessing life style. Ad Gentes Divinitus says in no. 2 ‘The Church on earth by its very nature is missionary’ and this is lived out here in Siddhpur. In this year of faith, we have founded the Trust, done the land deal, witnessed many sacraments like Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Catholic burial and vibrant Eucharistic celebrations. Moreover, we have made known the Catholic religion to the neighbourhood and the town through Christmas, New Year celebrations, Stations of the Cross in different homes, celebrating the Sacred Triduum. Novelty this year was after the celebrant washed the feet and couple washed the feet of each other on the Maundy Thursday. We have had many gatherings and meals together which has strengthened the bond of the believing community. We have had faith sharing and I encourage people to share about the ‘God experience’ they had in their lives which will strengthen each other’s faith so as to be good and energetic Catholic faithful. As an animator, I have visited and prayed with Catholic families. I have come to know many people in this town and surrounding villages. Many of them are willingly helping the cause of the ‘good works’ we render to the human society. Many of our Catholics request for special mass and come together which only shows the thirst they have for God and I feel the Lord is making use of me to quench their spiritual thirst by profound sharing of the Word of God and lively, well prepared Liturgy.

Today, as I knelt in prayer my heart was full of gratitude to God for the wonders He has done in the ‘Year of Faith’ in my life and also the life of our believing community. I believe that the one who kneels before the Lord in prayer need not fall at any human being’s feet. i.e. he need not be at the mercy of anyone. I can feel the working of the Holy Spirit in this new mission and Him helping us to make Jesus Christ as centre of our lives. Ad Gentes (Missionary Activity) no. 20 says, ‘In the young churches the local priests should give themselves generously to the work of evangelization’. By the grace of God I am able to fulfill the tasks which are entrusted to me in this new mission. Indeed Our Lady is perpetually interceding for this new mission. I take this opportunity to thank our Metropolitan Archbishop for pioneering a new mission, priests of the Archdiocese and many well wishers of this mission for their encouragement and continued support. 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 village communities in this new vicinity.  St. Joseph the worker intercede for the work of our hands and Blessed Mother Teresa be with us as we break new ground in serving humanity. May God bless us.  (1^st May 2013) – Xavier James

1st May 2013 - St. Joseph the worker Feast Mass, Gujarat foundation day prayer, Ordination anniversary thanksgiving Eucharist of Fr. Xavier James at Siddhpur Mission Parish

Archdiocesan Spoken English Course at Pethapur, Fr. Xavier James of Siddhpur Parish was the Director of the course.

The Report of Spoken English Course at Pethapur

April 1^st to 19^th, 2013

Spoken English Course was organized by Gandhinagar Archdiocese from 1^st April to 19^th April, 2013 for the students who have just completed their 10^th and 12^th Standard.  There were 48 students, 32 boys and 16 girls from 12 different Parishes.  The Course was inaugurated with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by His Grace Stanislaus Fernandes. Entrance test was conducted to check their English.  The students were divided into three classes according to their entrance test performance.  The three groups were named after the three Popes in their life time i.e. John Paul, Benedict and Francis.   There were seven staff members, 5 Brothers and 2 Sisters under the inspiring leadership of Fr. James, the co-ordinator of the programme.  Each class was taken care by 2 or 3 staff members who helped the students to gain more and more inputs in creative ways.

Everyday students had morning prayer and the Holy Eucharist in the morning, 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 5 classes per day for learning basic English Grammar.   Apart from learning English, much importance was given to the spiritual life and Christian values.  Every day one class was assigned to for the faith formation, where in they gained some knowledge about the Holy Bible, Sacraments, Eucharist etc…which would help them in the long run to live their Christian values. The Seven Steps of praying the Word of God also introduced by Fr. Xavier James.  The students took active part in praying the Word of God.

After the lunch, everyday they had creative classes during which, they practiced in a creative way in the form of skit and song, what they had learnt in the class.  Whatever they did in a creative class, it was performed in the cultural programme which was held every alternative day of the course.  Cultural programme was a good opportunity for each and every student to express himself or herself on the stage without fear.  Cultural programme 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 14^th April they had an outing to where students relaxed and enjoyed togetherness with each other’s company.  Atmosphere was created in the course 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 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 the Archbishop, 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 children for their wonderful performance. Thereafter the Eucharist was celebrated to conclude the course and most of them left the place in tears because they had a very good bond with each other.  

Sr. Joysline Mary C.C.V

Fr. Xavier James, Director of Archdiocesan Spoken English Course organized it in Pethapur from 1st April to 19th April. Fr. Xavier James is grateful to His Grace Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, Frs. Rocky, Jeba, Salu, Brs. Prabhu, Julian, Kingslyn, Royden, Sandeep, Srs. Joycelyn, Urmila for their help rendered to the students. There were 48 students from 12 parishes of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar. I thank God for the wonderful programme for the young Church in Gandhinagar. Brs. Prabhu & Kingslyn visited the people of Siddhpur and also the land in Umru, Siddhpur.

First Passover celebration in Siddhpur Mission Parish By Xavier James

First Passover - from nothing to something in Siddhpur

It was because of the graciousness the Archbishop, Siddhpur parishioners have something from nothing i.e. their Parish and liturgical celebrations in their town. It was the first Passover celebration in Siddhpur. To prepare our hearts for this great feast we organised a retreat followed by the sacrament of reconciliation which was participated by all parishioners of Siddhpur. The Palm Sunday procession made its way from one room to the hall. We thank Alex & Jeci of Palanpur for providing palms for us. The Sacred Triduum began with full participation and after explaining the importance of Holy Eucharist, Priesthood and Love commandment in practice, the celebrant washed the feet of the singles and kissed them/ and the married couples likewise washed each other’s feet and they were given the special bread. After the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament was taken to the room where the decorated altar of the repose stood. Adoration took place in various languages like Konkani, Malayalam, Gujarati and also in English. Thereafter the Pasch Appam was cut and given to all present. On Good Friday at 3.00 p.m. a moment of silence observed and service of the passion began. The passion narrative was sung by the celebrant and sisters. Adoration of the Holy Cross and reception of Holy Communion was with much devotion and reverence. In his homily the celebrant emphasized that one should not be afraid or ashamed to profess that we are the followers of Christ. After the way of the cross everyone dispersed in silence. 

For the Easter vigil, the place was decorated by the Srs. Neeta & Jerusa and Martin & Philip. The service which was well attended by all was followed by the Easter cake being cut and shared with coffee. On Easter Sunday Parish Priest was all set for the annual blessing of homes which culminated with the Easter dinner together with all the parishioners at Shaji’s house. We were fortunate to have the Archbishop with us to share the Easter joy. He had a red carpet welcome with flowers spread on his way. Shaji shared his faith experience in honour of year of the faith. We were glad to have Fr. Arasakumar, Professor of Sacred Scriptures from Baroda and Sr. Indra the counselor of LD sisters. A short report on Easter celebration appeared in the local news paper called ‘Rakhewal’.    

Sacred Triduum in Siddhpur Mission Parish: Maundy Thursday celebration of the Lord's supper and washing of the feet, Altar of the repose, Adoration and Pascha Appam and Good Friday Service. Easter Vigil: Eucharist, Celebration of Easter, Blessing of homes, Receiving the Archbishop for the get together and dinner, Faith Sharing of Shaji, Blessings by Archbishop & Fr. Arasakumar.