Monday, 27 July 2009

Funeral of Claudius' dad tomorrow

The funeral of Mr Egbert Misquitta, Bro. Claudius' dad, will take place at 1600 hours tomorrow, 28 July 2006, at the Juhu Church.

Bro. Claudius has obtained permission to come down for the funeral, and is on his way down as we write.

Let's continue praying for Mr Misquitta, and for Claudius, his mother, and his brother Egidio.

Lucy D'Souza being operated tomorrow

Mrs Lucy D'Souza (mother of of Bosco and Keith) will undergo a cataract surgery tomorrow. Let's keep her in our prayers. Get well soon, Lucy! We are praying for you.

Birthday of Bro Leon Cruz

Today is the birthday of Bro. Leon Cruz, who hails from our own parish, and used to help as sacristan for many years before joining the Salesians.

Bro. Leon is currently teacher and 'assistant' at Divyadaan.

We wish him many happy returns, every blessing, and we pray and hope that more youth from our parish follow his footsteps!

Parish notices, Sunday, 26 July 2009

Today is 17th Week of the Ordinary Time of the Year. The feast days in the coming week are as follows: 28th St. Alphonsa, 29th St. Martha, 31st St. Ignatius of Loyola (feast of Jesuit Fathers) and 1st Aug. St. Alphonsus Liguori (feast of the Redemptorist Fathers).

July 27th is the birthday of Bro. Leon Cruz, the assistant at Divya Daan. July 30th is the birthday of Fr. Robert Pen – Principal of Divyadaan and on August 1st we celebrate the birthday of Fr. Savio D’Souza – Rector of Divyadaan. We ask God to bless them in their delicate ministry as formators and professors with His choicest graces. We express our gratitude to them for their pastoral services in our parish.

With the meeting of the zonal and area leaders which was held on 22nd July we have launched the BCCs. The priests and sisters in-charge of the zones are as follows: Zone A – Fr. Ivo & Maria Vihar Sisters; Zone B – Fr. Nelson & Kilbil Sisters; Zone C – Fr. Diego & Nirmala Sisters. The Fathers and Sisters will visit the homes either of the full zone or areas of the zones and meet in one of the houses for sharing on the Word of God and prayer.

The Parish Council Meeting will be held on Saturday 1st Aug. at 5.30 pm. All the heads of the various institutions and both the zonal and area leaders are expected to attend the meeting.

The new families are welcomed to register their names in the Parish office.

The Sunday Animation of the various masses should be prepared in advance and done well. We are in need of musicians for accompaniment for the Sunday evening masses.

The Brothers of Divya Daan will be staging a three-act comedy play – “Uncle’s Walking Stick” which will be staged on 14th (religious institutions) and 15th Aug. (DB parishioners) at 6.30 pm at the Divya Daan Auditorium. Entry passes will be available from next Sunday onwards.

Bible Diaries with daily readings of the whole year are available at the parish office at the rate of Rs. 50/-.

The forthcoming events are as follows: 9th August Marian Academy for which each zone and each religious institute is expected to give a marian item; the youth of our parish have taken charge of organizing the Marian Academy; 15th Aug. to 15th Sept. the Marian Month; on 17th Aug. Monday, the three statues will start moving zone-wise; 22nd August Vocation Sharing Day for the youth of our parish.

Thank you for your generous contribution towards last Sunday’s collection which amounted to Rs. 2,518-.

Demise of Bro. Claudius' Dad

We received the sad news about the death of Mr Egbert Misquitta, father of Bro. Claudius Misquitta. Some of you will know Bro. Claudius, who was here in Divyadaan first as a student, and then as a teacher. Since the last couple of years, he is a missionary in Hungary. He came down recently to see his dad who had been ailing with cancer. He returned to Hungary barely a week ago.

Nothing is known yet about the funeral, as the family is awaiting news whether or not Claudius will be able to come down.

As we entrust Mr Misquitta to the Lord, let's pray for him, and let's keep the family in our prayers.

Twenty sentences about Mary...

Some 16 young people of the parish turned up yesterday for a session on Our Lady. They had been given a homework to write twenty sentences on Our Lady. The youth had come well-prepared; one even had not twenty but some fifty or sixty sentences. Besides saying that Our Lady was Mother of God, Mother of Jesus, Queen of Heaven, our Mother, etc., we learnt also that Mary was respected and esteemed also by the Orthodox Christians as well as by Muslims. In fact, her name appears more often in the Koran than in the Bible.

After this sharing, it was time for questions. Why do Catholics worship Our Lady? Three were selected: Why do Catholics worship Our Lady? What was the difference between Assumption, Ascension, and Annunciation? How can Mary be the Mother of God?

What followed was very brief attempts to answer these questions.

Catholics do not worship Mary. Worship is an act reserved for God alone, Father, Son and Spirit, and to no other, not even Mary. We venerate Mary, just as we venerate the saints and indeed all holy people and even our parents. But Mary has a very special place in God's work and plan, and so we give her a very special veneration...

Ascension: a word reserved for Jesus ascending to his Father after the Resurrection.
Assumption: a word used about Mary being taken into heaven. It is her sharing in the Resurrection of Jesus - just as all of us also hope to share in his Resurrection. As scripture says: Christ the first fruits, and then all of us. (See the second reading for the feast of the Assumption: 1 Cor 15, 20)
Annunciation: the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary and telling her that Jesus will be born of her.

Mother of God: the Church decided to use this title not so much to honour Mary, as to answer the question: Who is it that was born of Mary? Was he only a man, or also God? 'Mother of God' is not a Mary doctrine so much as a Christ doctrine: it safeguards the mystery that the second person of the Holy Trinity was born in time of a woman, as scripture says.

It was wonderful to see how reflection on Mary leads inevitably to Jesus. There is no competition between Mary and Jesus! Her soul glorifies the Lord, her spirit rejoices in God her saviour! She is the dawn that gives way to the Bright Sun that is Jesus!

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Felicitation of priests and parish leaders

We celebrate the feast of St John Mary Vianney on 4 August 2009. St John Mary Vianney is the patron saint of diocesan priests and, I suppose, of parish priests in general. We thought it would be a fitting thing to felicitate all the priests who serve in our parish - those residing in STI and in Divyadaan, besides those in Don Bosco - and also some parish leaders, especially those who have completed many years of service. This will be done during the Marian Academy on 9 August 2009. So do make sure you come for this Academy and honour these men and women with your presence.

SCCs: visits by priest in charge

As one of the steps to revive the SCCs in our sector, there is an idea that the priest in charge should pay a visit to each family, in the company of the area leader. This is not intended to be a 'brief' visit, though neither is it going to be a 'prolonged' one. A getting acquainted sort of visit.

As in charge of Zone A, I intend beginning these visits on 6 August, after I come back from my retreat in Mumbai (I will be out from 28 July to 3 August).

Rosary during the Marian Month

According to the tradition, rosary services will be held in families during the Marian Month, 16 August to 8 September.

Four statues will be going round, two in Zone A, and one each in Zones B and C. The zonal leaders will draw up a list of families that want the statue to come to their homes. The rosary service will be held five days a week, i.e. excluding Saturdays and Sundays.

Zone A spent some time discussing whether or not snacks should be offered at the end of the service. The concern was that no one should be embarrassed if they are not able to provide snacks, and that there should be no competition among us on this matter.

We also said that we should pay particular attention to the Marathi-speaking families in our sector of the parish, seeing that they are few and that in a predominantly English-speaking sector they might feel neglected.

Finally, the matter of the presence of the priest in charge. This is being discussed in each zone. Not all priests are able to come out every day during the Marian Month, and there is a danger that families might feel bad if the priest does not come to their house for whatever reason. One zone suggested that the priest not come at all during the rosary service; in that way, no one will feel bad. Another zone instead told their priest to come whenever he could; they assured him no one would feel bad. Your comments and opinions are welcome!

SCC leaders

ZONE A

Zonal leaders:
Edward and Blessy Lewis

Area leaders:
Mary Help of Christians Community (D'Souza Colony): Henry Menezes
St Dominic Savio Community (Uday Nagar): Robins Susainathan
Infant Jesus Community (Akashwani): Sujata Castelino
St Anthony Community (Chittaranjan Society and around): Leticia John
St Jude Community (beyond Anandvalli): Mabel D'Souza

Priest in charge:
Fr Ivo Coelho

ZONE B

Zonal leader:

Area leaders:
Russell Murdeshwar
Rose Koshy
Cecily John

Priest in charge:
Fr Nelson Falcao

ZONE C

Zonal leader:
Wilson Pereira

Area leaders:
Gaikwad
Elvina Monsorate

Priest in charge:
Fr Diego Nunes

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Meeting of zonal and area leaders

We had a meeting of zonal and area leaders of the SCCs this evening. The response was enthusiastic, beating our expectations. After a general meeting, we met in zones. Zone A elected new zonal leaders. Mr Rocky D'Souza, after a period of some 30 years of service, asked to be relieved of his responsibilities. Mr and Mrs Edward Lewis were elected in his place. The area leaders were also elected, and each of them accepted very willingly. There was a wonderful spirit of cooperation. God be praised.

Sunday, 19 July 2009

Youth session coming Sunday, 26 July 2009

There will be a youth animation session on Our Lady coming Sunday, 26 July 2009, at 1000 hours.

The session will be interactive. Each young person is expected to come with 20 sentences about Our Lady... Animator: Fr Ivo.

So try to put down 20 sentences about Our Lady. And if you can't get beyond 3 or 4, you have all the options open: consult your parents, or your friends, or the Divyadaan brothers, or the sisters, or the net.... Be creative!

Let's find out how much we know about Our Lady in the Marian Month that is about to begin, and let's try to get to know more...

Saturday, 18 July 2009

Parish notices, Sunday, 19 July 2009

Today is 16th Week of the Ordinary Time of the Year. The feast days in the coming week are as follows: 22nd St. Mary Magdalene, 25th St. James, the Apostle.

On Sunday 19th July we keep the birthday of Bro. Neville D’Souza from Don Bosco Parish community. We thank him for his ministry of catechesis, oratories and youth animation in our parish at Dominic Savio Church, Satpur, imploring God’s choicest blessings on him and especially on his initial formation in preparation for his priesthood.

Let us carry on praying for rains offering sacrifices and prayers, personally, as families, as communities and on the parish level.

The Parish Priest has visited the three zones of our Parish. If anyone’s house has not been visited, kindly inform the Parish Priest. We will be starting the BCCs soon. Please note that there will be a meeting of the zonal and area leaders with the priest-in-charge on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, immediately after the evening mass.

Those who have subscribed for the magazine ‘Don Bosco Madonna’ will start getting the magazine from the month of September.

The new families are welcomed to register their names in the Parish office.

The Sunday Animation of the various masses should be prepared in advance and done well. We are in need of musicians for accompaniment for the Sunday evening masses. The musicians are requested to share generously their musical talent with the parish for the sake of spiritual animation.

Bible Diaries with daily readings of the whole year are available at the parish office at the rate of Rs. 50/- per copy. Along with the diary you will also get the seven steps for reading the Word of God.

Forthcoming events: 9th August Marian Academy for which each zone and each religious institute is expected to give a marian item; 15th Aug. to 15th Sept. the Marian Month; on 17th Aug. Monday, the three statues will start moving zone-wise; 22nd August Vocation Sharing Day for the youth of our parish.

Thank you for your generous contribution towards last Sunday’s collection which amounted to Rs. 3,166-.

New cathedral for Nashik

Abp. Felix Machado has undertaken the construction of a new cathedral. To this end, he has requested and obtained the services of Fr Joe Pereira of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. Fr Joe, who has experience in administration and in church constructions, has been appointed parish priest of St Anne's Cathedral for a period of 3 years, during which he will look after the building of the new cathedral.

As already noted in a previous blog, Abp. Felix has appointed a committee consisting of lay people, diocesan and religious priests to help him in the task of building the cathedral. The Abp. himself is the chairperson, while Fr Joe Pereira is the Vice Chairperson.

The decision to build a new cathedral seems to have been taken in the time of Bp. Thomas Bhalerao. A foundation stone was placed near the existing cathedral, and some funds were collected. Recently Abp. Felix also himself made a trip to the US in search of funds.

Fr Joe Pereira is hard at work, gathering information, getting a tentative estimate of the costs, examining strategies for obtaining the necessary permissions, etc.

Pope's Letter to Priests

The purpose of declaring the Year for Priests is to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world.

Priesthood is God's gift and not anyone's right.

The priest's identity becomes most clear when he is celebrating the Eucharist. St John Mary Vianney: "My God, how we ought to pity a priest who celebrates as if he were engaged in something routine!"

The pope praises the courageous fidelity and devotion to pastoral duties of many priests. He thinks especially of those who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even to the point of death. With much sorrow he also laments and deplores situations in which the Church herself suffers becasue of the infidelity of some of her ministers.

The priest is not a priest for himself, but for the people of God. St John Mary Vianney, as soon as he arrived in his parish, went straight to the church and spent the whole day in prayer: "Lord, grant me the conversion of my parish; I am willing to suffer whatever you wish, for my entire life." The parish priest regularly visits the sick, the bedridden, and the families in his parish; he organizes popular missions, collects and manages funds with transparency in order to support charitable and missionary works, care of orphans, etc.

The priest knows that he and his people make up 'one priestly people', and so works in cooperation with his people.

He makes himself available for the sacrament of reconciliation. St John Mary Vianney did not wait for people to come to him for the sacrament. "It is not the sinner who returns to God to beg his forgiveness, but God himself who runs after the sinner and makes him return to him."

The concrete example of a witnessing life is the key to successful ministry. Example is more effective than preaching. The vows (celibacy, poverty, obedience) are necessary for all priests, religious and diocesan.

And Mary has a very important place in the life of a priest. "After giving us all, Jesus gave us his most precious possession, his Blessed Mother," St John Mary Vianney used to say.

Abp. Felix requests all the faithful to pray for priests, especially during the family rosary. He is organizing a Day of Prayer for Priests on 4 August 2009, at Abp. House, 1000 to 1600 hrs. He has given a prayer to be recited after Mass and on other occasions:
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
keep them, for they are Thine -
Thy priests whose lives burn out
before Thy consecrated shrine.

Keep them, for they are in the world,
though from the world apart;
when earthly pleasures tempt, allure -
shelter them in Thy heart.

Keep them, and comfort them
in hours of loneliness and pain,
when all their lives of sacrifice
for souls seem but in vain.

Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
they have no one but Thee,
yet they have only human hearts,
with human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host,
that daily they caress;
their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless. Amen.

(Imprimatur: D. Cardinal Dougherty)

Circular of Abp. Felix, # 15, 8 July 2009

Here are the main points of the Archbishop's latest circular:

1. A gist of the letter of the Pope to all priests, dt 16 June 2009.
2. Meeting of priests and religious concerning diocesan finances, 1000 hrs, 21 July 2009.
3. Rs 97,056 (Good Friday) and Rs 59,501 (Lenten Alms) were sent to the Nunciature. Rs 50,025 was sent for relief and rehabilitation of the victims of Kandhamal, to the Archd. of Bhubaneshwar.
4. Fr Peter D'Souza has been appointed interim Parish Priest of Devlali in place of Fr Wilson Rodrigues.
5. Fr Joe Pereira, Parish Priest of St Anne's Cathedral, is working to advance the cause of the proposed new cathedral. The Abp. has appointed a committee for the purpose:
Abp. Felix Machado, Chairman
Fr Joe Pereira, Vice Chairman
Fr Prakash Bhalerao, SJ
Fr Anton D'Souza, SDB
Fr Dilip Jadhav
Fr Allwyn Kalghatgi
Mr Anton Salve
Ms Philomena Bagul
6. A special collection to be taken on 9 August 2009 for Vianney Sunday.

Thursday, 16 July 2009

Parish notices, Sunday, 12 July 2009

These were the parish notices read last Sunday at the Don Bosco Church:
Today is the 15th Week of the Ordinary Time of the Year. The feast days in the coming week are as follows: 13th Monday St. Henry, 14th St. Camillus and 16th Thursday is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – the feast of all the Carmelite orders and congregations.

Let us all pray for rains perseveringly, offering sacrifices and prayers, personally, as families, as communities and on the parish level.

Every Monday after the evening mass we will have the Lectio Divina, i.e., sharing on the Word of God. We will take the Gospel of the coming Sunday. And every Friday after evening mass there will be a short silent Eucharistic adoration.

The Parish Priest has visited the three zones of our Parish. I thank the zonal leaders and other volunteers who accompanied me during these home visits. If anyone’s house is not visited, kindly, inform the Parish Priest. About 35 families have subscribed (with an initial fee of Rs. 200/-) for the monthly magazine, ‘Don Bosco’s Madonna.’ Kindly, check from the parish notice-board if your names and addresses are correct. If anyone still wishes to subscribe, kindly meet the Parish Priest. Those who have subscribed will start getting the magazine from the month of September.

We are happy to welcome to the parish new families that are moving in these days. The new families are welcomed to register their names in the Parish office. We are sure that in sharing our faith and gifts we will be able to enrich one another and our parish community.

The Sunday Animation cycle of Sunday evening masses is as follows: 1st Sunday zone A; 2nd zone B; 3rd zone C; 4th Catechism children; 5th Youth.

Bible Diaries with daily readings of the whole year are available at the parish office at the rate of Rs. 70/- per copy. Along with the diary you will also get the seven steps for reading the Word of God.

Thank you for your generous contribution towards last Sunday’s collection which amounted to Rs. 2,459/-.

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

RIP Sheila Dyer

Sheila Dyer passed away last night, 14 July 2009, at around 2230 hours, at Nirmala Home. She was 88, and had been ailing for some time. A day before she died she lost consciousness and her breathing became heavy. Fr Nelson anointed her at around 0930, and she passed away an hour later.

Her niece from Australia is on the way for the funeral, which will be held tomorrow, 16 July 2009, at Nirmala Home.

Sheila used to belong to the Salesian parish of Our Lady of Dolours Parish, Wadala West. She was a military nurse, and I remember seeing her tall, straight and tough. She came to Nirmala Home some 10 years ago.

RIP.

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Fr Nelson's translation of the Khristapurana

Fr Nelson Falcao, besides being our Parish Priest, is also a theologian and scholar who is without doubt the world expert on Thomas Stephens' Khristapurana. His Marathi translation of this wonderful poetic work is in the press and is expected to be ready by next month. Work is on also on the English translation, which will certainly be an event of capital importance in the world of theology and of literature. For the very first time the Khristapurana will be available to an international public.

Thomas Stephens, SJ was one of the first Englishmen to set foot in India. He laboured mostly in Goa, apart from a short stint in Vasai. He mastered Marathi and Konkani and, at the request of the new converts from Hinduism, he composed a Purana on the life of Christ, along the lines of the Visnupurana and other puranas. His Khristapurana is acknowledged by experts as one of the masterpieces of Marathi literature. Till recently, it was being used and recited, in churches as well as in homes, all along the Konkan coast, from Vasai down to Mangalore, especially during Holy Week.

We as a parish are proud to be now part of this long and wonderful history. Perhaps it would not be too much to hope that Fr Nelson will set in motion the use of the Khristapurana in our parish liturgies and devotions, at least certainly in Satpur? There is already a suggestion that he should work towards a sung version on CD....

Fr Matthew in Shillong

Fr Matthew writes that he has reached Shillong safely, and that he is settling down. Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai, where he will be teaching and residing, is on summer holidays just now, but there are fresh students learning Khasi, the local language, etc., and the staff is busy moving into new quarters. Fr Matthew says he has a room and office type of suite, something like the professors have in the MPh block in Divyadaan. He sends regards to all, and informs me that he used to run a parish blog.

Marian Academy, 9 August 2009

The Parish Youth Group has just volunteered to take up the Marian Academy. Keith D'Souza will be the coordinator, with Quincy Monsorate as the assistant coordinator. Quincy will also be the MC or Compere.

A group of youngsters will be making the rounds of the Zones and Religious Houses soliciting items for the Academy, so Superiors and Zonal Leaders, please expect them - and treat them well!

The Academy in honour of the Assumption of Our Lady will be held after the Sunday evening mass, 9 August 2009.

We are looking forward to some brilliant items honouring Our Lady.

A list of parish youth...

The list is far from complete, but I thought I would put it up here so as to encourage you to complete it. Feel free to send it your names, and you can always mail me your email ids and phone numbers at ivo.coelho@gmail.com if you don't want to post that information here...
D'Souza Aaron
Bibin Tom
D'Souza Alan
D'Souza Jonathan
D'Souza Keith
D'Souza Philbert
David Lisa
Fernandes Ansilon
Fernandes Jackson
Goveia Jason
Goveia Royston
Goveia Ryan
Hill Alita
Hill Flavia
Hill Jerome
James Sharol
John Harald
John Nikhil
Joy Felix
Koshy Preet
Koshy Karan
Lewis Ross
Lobo Craig
Monsorate Quincy
Murdeshwar Royston
Nirmal Carol
Nirmal Cheryl
Noronha Brandyn
Noronha Jenitha
Paul Fatima
Paul Mary
Rebello Yannick
Sequeira Rufen
Thomas Annette
Thomas Tina
Not counting of course the Divyadaan youth, STI youth, SHTC youth, MV youth....

Our youth group...



We had a first, rather unplanned, youth group meeting last Sunday. About 10 youngsters were there. What we did was a sort of getting acquainted, taking addresses, ids and telephone / mobile numbers. We also brainstormed about the goals of the youth group. Four came up: formation, recreation, helping in the parish, outreach. Suggestions about lay animators: Mr Claude Noronha, Ms Beverly Homan, Sr Anelfreda Miranda, FMA, Mr Ross Lewis....

Forthcoming activities:
12 July: Charismatic Prayer Meeting, 1400 hours, Holy Cross
9 August: Marian Academy
22 August: Vocation Sharing Day
30 August: animation of the Sunday evening mass
Today we had a meeting at 1130 hours, with Fr Nelson present. The group readily took up Fr Nelson's suggestion about taking charge of the Marian Academy. Keith was appointed coordinator, with Quincy as assistant coordinator. Royston will compose a letter of invitation for items. Keith, Craig, Philbert and Ansilon will go round the religious houses inviting items. Quincy will ask for an item from Zone C, Yannick from Zone B, and Philbert from Zone A. Keith will ask Bro Neville to get an item or even two from Satpur. A notice regarding the academy will also be put up on the Parish Notice Board.

A meeting was fixed for 1000 hours, coming Sunday, 19 July, to follow up the planning.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL YOUTH OF THE PARISH:
26 July 2009: formation session. More details awaited. You are all invited, even if you do not want to belong formally to the youth group. Parents, do encourage your children to take part.

SCCs

Now that the quick round of visits to the Don Bosco sector has been completed, we can get down to the work of reviving the SCCs.

Fr Diego says he will be having a meeting of his zone (which is zone C, Wilson's zone) some time in the coming week.

I am assigned to Rocky's zone (zone A). Rocky has expressed the desire to 'retire' as zonal leader, so we have to find someone else. Any volunteers? My idea is to pay a visit to each of the families, and then call for a meeting.

Fr Nelson is in charge of Agnelo's zone (zone B). Agnelo also has asked that he be replaced as zonal leader, so once again we are on the lookout for leaders.

Reviving the SCCs is probably the key to many other areas of our parish life. So let's pray and hope and do our bit! Suggestions are most welcome. You can even comment on this blog....

Parish visits

Fr Nelson, PP, has just finished the promised quick round of the Don Bosco sector. He was helped by the zonal leaders and others, whom he sincerely thanks.

If any houses have been left out by chance, please do feel free to bring this to the notice of Fr Nelson.

Yes, I know the religious houses have been left out!

Sr Cristina not well

Sr Cristina, UMI (Kilbil) is not well at all. After the pacemaker was inserted, she returned to Nashik, but had to be rushed back to Holy Family Hospital within a day. Yesterday Sr Flora and Sr Maria Jose went to Bandra to see her. They ask for prayers.

Saturday, 4 July 2009

Vocation Sharing Day, 22 August

Our parish inaugurated the Year of the Priest with a half hour adoration on 3 July 2009. The Year of the Priest was declared open by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 June 2009, and will conclude on 19 June 2010.

As part of the celebrations, the parish will be organizing a Vocation Sharing for youth. Our parish is fortunate to have the presence of so many Religious congregations: Ursulines of Mary Immaculate (Kilbil, Nirmala Home, Tanmaya), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA - Maria Vihar and SHTC), Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC - Nirmala Convent), and Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB - Divyadaan, STI, Don Bosco Nashik). We will be asking one member of each of these congregations to share his / her vocation story very briefly.

The invitees will be the youth of our parish (and why not, even of other parishes), and the Catholic students of Stds VIII to X from our schools.

Marian Month

The parish Marian Month is due to begin on 16 August 2009. While plans have still to be drawn up, statues of Our Lady will be making the rounds of the zones, as has been done for some years now.

The Marian Academy will be held on 9 August 2009 in the parish hall. Items are welcome - well-prepared, in keeping with the fact that we are preparing for the feast of the Assumption of Our lady, and SHORT! Fr Nelson Falcao, our parish priest, will be coordinating the Academy with the help of a small group of parishioners.

The Vocation Sharing by Religious of our parish, scheduled for 1700 hours, Saturday, 22 August, will also be in some way part of the Marian Month, as well as of the Year of the Priest.

Music ministry

As parishioners come and go, the music ministry in the parish has become weaker. In the recently concluded parish council meeting (4 July 2009), each zone was urged to find its own musician. The parish will also try to rope in / train parishioners for this ministry.

Those of you who can play the organ or guitar, or are willing to learn, please contact either your zone leaders or the parish priest.

A piece of information: the music for a part of the hymns in PraySing is now available in a handsome large format book compiled by Fr Blany Pinto with the help of Fr Kenneth Pereira and others. A CD of the music is eagerly awaited; several of our parishioners have been involved in the preparation of this CD.

Fr Edison returns

We are happy to welcome Fr Edison Fernandes back to our parish. Fr Edison, who spent a year at the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome, will be taking up residence at STI, and will also be on the staff of Divyadaan. Welcome back, Fr Edison! We are looking forward to your presence in our parish once again.

Parish visits

Fr Nelson Falcao, Parish Priest, will be making a quick round of the Don Bosco Sector starting Monday, 6 July 2009. He will begin with the Nirmala Convent zone, and will be accompanied by the zone leader. Parishioners please take note and be at home.

This will be followed by more sustained visits by the priest in charge of each zone, with the zone leader and perhaps also the sister assigned to the zone. Our hope is to revive the Small Christian Communities (SCC's), the monthly prayer meetings, the Sunday mass animations, etc.

An important decision taken at the Parish council is to invest in the training of lay leaders. If you have suggestions to this effect, by way of names or otherwise, please feel free to contact either your zonal leaders or the Parish Priest.