Secular Citizen Vol.22 No. 39 dated 30th September 2013

Page 1

30 September 2013

1


“Let’s Talk”

Christian Delegation Meets CM

an interactive session between parents & children The Parish Family Cell of the Most Holy Trinity Church, Powai organized an interactive session, “LET’S TALK”, between Parents and children of the 9th& 10th standard & confirmation children, on Sunday Sept. 15th from 11 am to 1 pm. One month before the session, invites were sent out to the parents requesting for feedback on the topics required to be focused on. The same was collated and the topics finally selected were 1) Back Talking and aggression among the youth 2) Excessive use of electronic media among children 3) No Spirituality among the youth. Two panels were formed consisting of 4 people each. One panel talked from the parents point of view and the second panel talked from the children point of view. After that the participant children and parents in the audience were given time to speak.

Fr. Keith Anchoring the session

One of the Panelist, addressing the audience The entire session was anchored by Fr. KiethDsouza, sj, from the Goregaon Seminary. After the session Fr. Kieth gave a small input on ways to improve family life and communication within the family. A brief time was given to parents to sit together with their children and jointly form an action plan for their own family for the next 6 months. The evaluation/feedback collected, indicated that the session was well appreciated with a suggestion that this session should be repeated every three/four months. Total no. of participants were 300 nos. Special thanks to the Parish Priest for his continued support and to the Spiritual Director Fr. Joel for his total involvement.

2

A meeting was convened with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra State Shri Prithviraj Chavan on 18th of September 2013 at Varsha official residence of C.M. to discuss various issues related to Schools managed by Christian institutions in Maharashtra. Present were Most Rev. Bhishop Elias Gonsalves, Amravathi diocese, Smt Janet D’souza, Vice Chairperson Minorities Commission Maharashtra State, Smt. Yashomathi Takur, M.L.A. Amravathi, Rev.Fr. George Athaide, Secretary, ABE, Rev. Fr. Simon Lopez, from Mumbai Rev.Fr Arogya Swamy from Amravati, Rev Fr. Felix Lobo and Rev. Fr. Antony D’Souza from Sindudurg, Sr. Neeta, Holy Cross Convent Amravathi, and others. Meeting lasted for about 40 minutes and Hon’ble C. M. welcomed the suggestions put forward by the delegation and assured them that he will address the issues favorably.

Over 81 Dead In Attack On Peshawar Church

Over 81 people were killed by two suicide bombers outside a historic church in Peshawar on Sunday, prompting countrywide protests by Christians who condemned authorities for failing to protect minorities. The death toll was expected to rise as many of the 150 people injured from the blasts at All Saints Church were still in critical condition following one of the worst terrorist attacks in recent history in Pakistan.

30 September 2013


Advt. T ariff Tariff

A WEEKLY FAMILY FAVOURITE

Vol.22 No.39 September 30, 2013

Rs.5/-

99, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel: 2269 35 78 / 2265 49 24 Fax.: 2264 0996 E-mail : secular@vsnl.com, secular@sezariworld.com Website: www.sezariworld.com www.secularcitizen.com Editor-in-chief : LAWRENCE COELHO

Editor: PHILIP MYABOO

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456

‘Thought for the week’

Successful people are successful because they form the habit of doing those things that failures do not like to do.

Contents

pg. 3 - Vatican Must Improve Communication pg. 4 - Gratitude – Hallmark Of A True Christian pg. 6 - The CCCI Honoured Seven Individuals for Excellence in Their Own Field pg. 7 - Reader's Views pg 8 - Pope Gives Revelatory Full Length Personal Interview pg 10 - The Candidate For PM That India Does Not Need pg 15 - Five Essential Rules For Spiritual Growth pg 16 - Fatima of the East pg 18 - How To Say No To People Who Ask For Money pg 20 - Matrimonials pg 21 - Smile Your Way To Success

Subscriptions Rate: One year (anywerein India) Rs. 250 Three years (anywere in India) Rs. 700 Five years (anywere in India) Rs. 1000 One year (outside India) Rs. 2500

E-paper Edition

sent any where in the world (by email) One year Rs. 600 or US $ 15 Two years Rs. 1000 or US $ 25

Cover : Excellence Shines at CCCI Meet (Report on pg. 6)

30 September 2013

Over all size 21.5 cms x 27cms O Print area 18 cms x 25.5 cms Full pg. back Colour (19 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 15,000 Center spread colour(39 cms x 23.5 cms Rs. 15,000 Full pg. inside Cover colour(18 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 10,000 Full pg. inner colour (18 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 8,000 Half pg. Colour (18 cms x 12 cms) Rs. 5,000

Full page B/W (18 cms x 24 cms) Half page B/W (18 cms x 12 cms)

Rs. Rs,

5,000 3,000

Small Size Ads B/W

12 x 12cms Rs. 2000 O 6 x 24cms Rs. 2000 18 x 6cms Rs. 1500 O 6 x 12cms Rs. 1000 6 x 6cms Rs. 500 Matrimonial Classifieds: O Rs. 350 per insertion (for 35 words) (includes box no.) O Rs. 1500 for 12 insertions. (1 year The Secular Citizen FREE)

Vatican Must Improve Communication

by Fr Michael Kelly he resignations of two bishops on child sex abuse allegations in the past six weeks and the Vatican’s handling of these latest cases has again prompted questions on how the world’s oldest monarchy handles controversy: It ignores it. In both cases – a nuncio to the Dominican Republic and, most recently, an auxiliary bishop in a diocese in southern Peru – it needed police reports and journalists’ questions to bring the charges and the Church’s response to light. This is an all too familiar pattern in Western countries where the denial of reality has left the Church to be seen covering up its faults and actually complicit in the crimes once proven. The fallout in a demoralized local Church is another unfortunate outcome. In any other large organization, protocols and procedures would fall into place immediately to acknowledge such events and what the organization is doing in response. Apparently not so for the Vatican. Head Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, told me in a recent interview that over the last six months his work has intensified for two reasons: In keeping up with a pope who scripts his own actions and talks openly, and the absence of any structure in the Vatican for receiving and then distributing authorized information. Come something like the standing down of two bishops pending charges and court procedures, and with all the presumption of innocence in the world until conviction, the Vatican media office is paralyzed. It shouldn’t be. Every organization in the world has contingency media plans in times of transition and for unpredictable crisis situations. Not so the Vatican, or so it seems. The challenge of handling hot-button Catholic issues will only intensify if the first six months of the new papacy are anything to go by. The pope has already defused one of them – homosexuality – in a single line: “Who am I to judge?” and ended what is now three and a half decades of attacks by Vatican officials on homosexuality as an “intrinsic” evil which is about as bad as you can get in the Vatican lexicon of failures. Next month, at a meeting of the group of eight cardinals who are to be a sort of kitchen cabinet, Pope Francis has put one of his burning desires and everyone else’s hot-buttons front and center: the divorced and remarried in the Catholic Church. Turned away – which they’ve done in their millions – divorced and

T

(Contd.. on p. 6)

3


Gratitude – Hallmark Of A True Christian “When one of the ten lepers saw that he was healed, HE CAME BACK PRAISING GOD in a loud voice. He threw himself to the grounds at JESUS’ Feet and THANKED HIM” Gospel of St. Luke 17:15, 16, The BIBLE

Strong Belief for the healing or miracle as a necessary corollary of divine FAITH

by Steven Lawrence D’Souza

(Former IRS –RETD (VRS-2008)Customs, Central Excise and Service tax, Officer, presently a corporate management and tax consultant . On Advisory Panel of various state and central govt. committees, prominent NGOs and deemed universities and senior high court/supreme court legal counsel on tax, administrative and finance matters .Besides, Visiting faculty business mgt., and course coordinator for UPSC –IAS and other competitive exams)

Of all the stellar qualities of a true Christian, one that is a hallmark or outstanding quality is the rare quality of gratitude. The above extract from the Gospels reveals that Christ is most pleased when one out of the ten healed lepers, a despised Samaritan, threw himself at HIS FEET to thank HIM, a bit dismayed that the other nine had taken his COMPASSION and DIVINE INTERCESSION for granted, Faith and Humility are necessary attributes of a grateful person, a grateful Christian, and in these materialistic times, it is indeed rare to find Faith, Humility and Gratitude in a meaningful measure in our lives, not that it is much valued or sought after. Hence the theme “With a Grateful Heart” for this Thanks Giving Day Issue (Every year Celebrated first week October)

What makes for a grateful Heart? Our Gospels teach us that there are 4 attributes of a grateful Heart.

3) An act of LOVE and compassion by God or through his saints / intercessors / disciples / saints in answer to the prayer 4) Finally an ACT of GRATITUTE with a Humble Grateful Heart as our response to that DIVINE INTERCESSION, THAT MIRACLE.

It is in the fourth aspect that we have more often failed in our everyday life, a failing more pronounced because we claim to be Christians as well. To make matters worse, we at times attribute the DIVINE INTERCESSION, the MIRACLE to factors other than mighty benevolence of the Almighty. Even as we go about the rituals and ceremonies marked out for ThanksGiving Day,Let us then contemplate, let us then reflect on incidents where when we were sinking, we were desperate, the Almighty Lord God saved us and then we conveniently forgot the same. Let us spare a few moments to say a meaningful THANK you to be LORD, to all his intercessors and medium through whom we have healed, blessed, granted favours, let us then if not for anything else THANK GOD for the gift of every day, the gift of having our loved ones, the gift of life itself.

1) Immense Faith in the Saviour that HE will heal us and bring about a miracle, a divine intercession, e.g. the woman who touched the gown of Jesus praying for a healing of her bleeding malady and also the Roman Military officer seeking healing of his sick servant.

Let us then as a community also resolve to spend some moments every day to thank the LORD GOD for all the gifts showered upon us, a cause for joy and celebration itself. Let us resolve to begin this journey of gratitude by starting to end each night with a simple thanks giving prayer, WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

2) Prayer for Divine intercession and

4

Over 90 Crosses Desecrated in Goa

Margao: Some 90 crosses were found pulled out and thrown outside a cemetery in Margao, Goa. The incident came to light on Tuesday morning when a parishioner of St Rock Church, Tolleacanto, came to clean a grave in view of the Mass scheduled for today. Parish Priest Fr. Luis Coutinho said around 8.30 in the morning the woman informed of the missing cross from the grave. The parish members soon found that "92 crosses from the graves were uprooted and thrown outside the cemetery,” he added. The police rounded up a woman allegedly of unsound mind. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Naik the woman said she had cleaned up the crosses from the cemetery and thrown them outside because they were old. According to police the woman, Levi Afonso, said that she "cleared all the old crosses on the graves and thrown them outside.” The police has registered a case against unknown persons for hurting the religious sentiments of the people by desecrating the crosses. “Some of the crosses were later installed by the parishioners while some of the damaged crosses could not be identified,” Fr Coutinho said. Source: oheraldo

The world is not a parking space, it is a racing track. Keep on moving, no matter when and where you start. Reach your goal and make a new record.

30 September 2013


St. Joseph Church, Juhu Desecrated Mumbai - A group of unknown persons desecrated the church of St. Joseph in Juhu (Mumbai), more specifically the Sacrament located in the Adoration Chapel. The fact was discovered yesterday at 5 o'clock in the morning when the priest found the open tabernacle, some consecrated hosts scattered on the ground and the box with the offerings unhinged and empty. Even the monstrance and ciborium - containing the sacred species - were taken away. The police are still on the trail of the culprits. On the same day Msgr. John Rodrigues, the new auxiliary bishop of Mumbai, celebrated a Mass of reparation. During the homily, the prelate urged the faithful to "pray for those who committed this act and invoke the mercy

30 September 2013

of God." "It was clearly a theft - the parish priest, Fr. Vincent D'Mello explains to AsiaNews - because the monstrance in the chapel of Adoration and the ciborium of the tabernacle that is in the church are gold-plated. Even the consecrated hosts contained in the ciborium were stolen, we have found some in a corner of the parish. " by Nirmala Carvalho (AsiaNews)

Atrocities Against Christians in Pakistan

The Christian Community in Bangalore is greatly d i s tressed by the atrocities against Christians in Pakistan. Archbishop Bernard Moras- President of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights (AKUCFHR) and of the Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council (KRCBC) strongly condemns the bomb blast on the church at Peshawar, terrorising the Christian Community there. We pray that God the Father of all people, both Christian and Muslim will remove all hatred from human hearts and bless us with harmony and unity.

5


The CCCI Honoured Seven Individuals for Excellence in Their Own Field Mumbai: The Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a foremost organisation of Christian Businessmen held its XIth Annual General body Meeting and the annual excellence award ceremony on Saturday 21st September 2013 at Hotel Kohinoor Continental Andheri (East). It was attended by a large number of prominent Christian businessmen specially from Mumbai. The newly ordained auxiliary Bishop of Bombay Archdiocese, Dr John Rodrigues was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Income tax Chief

Commissioner Abrar Ahmed graced the occasion as a Guest of Honour The Excellence award winners

Vatican Must Improve Communication

(Contd.. from p. 3) remarried Catholics are punished for the failure of the biggest risk in their lives with ecclesial exclusion and an implicit lifelong negative judgment. Not good enough says Papa Bergoglio. And there are more difficult issues to come. Women in the Church’s ministry, the celibacy of the Latin Rite (Roman) clergy, reform and transparency in the operations of Vatican offices, the role of bishops, bishops' conferences and regional collections of bishops' conferences have all been flagged either by the pope or his new secretary of state, Archbishop Parolin. All of these have been in the “too hard" basket for more than three decades. One of these with special significance in Asia is also expected to surface in the near future. For over three decades, the issue of the uniqueness of Christ and Christian revelation in the context of religions whose origins predate Jesus himself has been the subject of censorship and prosecution by Vatican officials to the extent that theologians in Asia are afraid to even ask questions, let alone propose answers. Those who have tried have been excommunicated (Tissa Balasuriya, later revoked) and condemned (Jacques Dupuis) for mentioning the subject. Others who have wanted to enter

6

the debate have, as they’ve told me, been cowed into silence for fear of the wrath of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and its extensive network of spies and reporters throughout the world who “dilate” (to use the technical term) or report miscreants to what was called for 500 years the Holy Office of the Roman Inquisition. Its style of operation has been mortally wounded in the first six months of this papacy and especially in the lengthy interview given by the pope that appeared in 12 languages late last Thursday and was published by UCAN on Friday. The pope lamented the preoccupation with rules and compliance with minutiae, not to mention liturgical paraphernalia and overdressing by clerics, preferring to focus on what is central to Catholicism – the journey of faith, the Gospel and the Sacraments. The outstanding issues for reform of the Church are well known and named above. I think we all need to strap ourselves in for a rough ride in the coming months and years. Meanwhile, let’s hope that the Vatican’s information service can be of more help than it has been in cases like those of the two disgraced bishops in the past six weeks. Fr Michael Kelly is the executive director of ucanews.com

honoured on the occasion are: Fr Francis D’Britto (Excellence in Social Service), George M Thampi (Excellence in Industry), Michael Pinto (Excellence in Public Service), Dr Francin Pinto (Excellence as Women Entrepreneur), John Shiby Mathew (Excellence as Young Entrepreneur), Moses Gomes and Jean Moses (Excellence in the field of Education). All the award winners are introduced by Dr Richard Pereira. On this occasion the newly appointed Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra State Minority Commission Mrs. Janet Lawrence D'Souza was felicitated by CCCI Chairman Henry Lobo. CCCI vice-president Anthony Sequeira introduced the Chief Guest Bishop John Rodrigues. Albert W D’Souza, introduced the Guest of Honour Abrar Ahmed and John D’Silva introduced Mrs. Janet L. D'Souza, Dy. Chairperson of Maharashtra State Minority Commission. Mrs. Philomena H Lobo, Mrs. Elaina A D’Souza and Mrs. Prameela V Mathias honored the guests with floral bouquets. Kenneth Sequeira and Lara Menezes compered the programme. CCCI director Agnello Rajesh Athaide proposed the vote of thanks. All the award winners expressed their views after receiving the award from the sponsors and dignitaries. The Programme was well designed by the Youth Group of Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the Youth Chairperson Lara Menezes.

Photos by Rons Bantwal

30 September 2013


Mount Mary's 2013 Compliments to Monsignor Nereus Rodrigues and Father Aniceto Pereira on the way things went during the recently concluded Novena and Octave of Our Lady's Nativity at the Mount, bomb threats notwithstanding! The shamiana was simply superb, making the place look much more open, spacious and bright. The idea of using the external wall of the basilica as the backdrop was a stroke of genius one can find no words to describe! Everything looked so prim and proper, the lighting and sound at its best; the choirs seemed to have been given due motivation what with their full-throated singing adding to the ambience and the atmosphere. It must have all called for so many sleepless nights on the part of the Rector and the Vice-rector, I bet! Just a word specifically about the stage backdrop. Beautiful - but when the Celebrant ascends the stage for Mass he first bows to the statue of Our Lady before turning to the Altar. Methinks that could liturgically be considered not quite proper. Decades ago, when the observance of the Novena and the celebration of the Octave was shifted out into the open - during the Archbishopric of the late Cardinal Simon Pimenta - the centre-piece of the backdrop was the Crucifix, and very appropriately so, for the end of all Marian devotion cannot but be closeness to Jesus. But a few years ago that changed with the niche above the main altar of the Basilica, statue et al, being

Wedding Invitation, Christening, First Holy Communion, Mortuary Cards & Religious Goods Contact:

David & Company Sharaf Manzil, 1st Floor, 650, J.S.S. Road, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, Mumbai 400002

Tel.: 22019010 / 2205 7394

Fax: 2206 0344 Emails:davidprinters@gmail.com / bryan@vsnl.com

30 September 2013

all our parish churches. In conclusion, a word of praise and gratitude to the 'ushers' and 'volunteers' ensuring order and discipline especially on the Sundays of the Octave, would be in order. No mean task, given the volume of the crowds! God bless their spirit and may Mary ever be their protector.

—Ladislaus L D'Souza, Malad West

Root Out Bribery replicated on the stage outside. Its difficult to understand as to why this was done. Moreover, the real statue is in any case inside the basilica which no client of Mary coming to the Mount leaves without visiting and praying at anyway. Perhaps Monsignor Nereus and Father Aniceto might consider giving the issue a re-think? Another point to which attention would need to be given is the distribution of Holy Communion. In keeping with the announcements requesting "people who've come for the next Mass not to occupy the seats of those who've gone to receive communion", most communicants were seen returning to their seats. But there was a hitch Distributors of Communion were standing in every aisle whereby those returning to their seats had to do so the same way as they approached for communion. Ideally, smaller blocks with Communion Ministers standing in every alternate aisle would be a better option as is the general practice in practically

As a journalist and letter writer for various newspapers and magazines, I am not at all afraid of writing against our corrupt police force, MLAs, politicians and judicial system. Take a round in the market, and you will see cops taking bribes from dhabawallas, vegetable vendors and fruit sellers. These poor men, who earn very little, are harassed by the cops’ every day. And if you resist in giving them (the cops) your money, you are beaten black and blue and a false case is registered against you. The entire police department, including the Police Commissioner is aware of this, but is doing nothing to help the poor citizens of our country. They only trust their own men in uniform, rather than the public, who are harassed by the entire police department. It’s high time the British came back to rule India

— Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivili

SAHAR COLD STORAGE John Rodrigues House, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099

Located on the way to International Airport, Nr Cigarette Factory Convenient for the Passengers carrying the stocks abroad.

Try our Fresh Pork Meat; Fresh Real Good Chicken; Cold Cuts; Ready to eat items; Goan Sausages; Goan, Mangalorean and East Indian variety of Masalas.

Note: We provide FREE HOME DELIVERY to our most valuable customers. Phone : 2827 0498 Mobile: 99695 73121

7


Pope Gives Revelatory Full Length Personal Interview Vatican City: This interview with Pope Francis took place over the course of three meetings during August 2013 in Rome. The interview was conducted in person by Antonio Spadaro, S.J., editor in chief of La Civilt? Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit journal. Father Spadaro conducted the interview on behalf of La Civilt? Cattolica, Thinking Faith, America and several other major Jesuit journals around the world. The editorial teams at each of the journals prepared questions and sent them to Father Spadaro, who then consolidated and organised them. The interview was conducted in Italian. After the Italian text was officially approved, a team of five independent experts were commissioned to produce the English translation, which is also published by America. Father Spadaro met the pope at the Vatican in the pope’s apartments in the Casa Santa Marta, where he has chosen to live since his election. Father Spadaro begins his account of the interview with a description of the pope’s living quarters. The setting is simple, austere. The workspace occupied by the desk is small. I am impressed not only by the simplicity of the furniture, but also by the objects in the room. There are only a few. These include an icon of St. Francis, a statue of Our Lady of Luj?n, patron saint of Argentina, a crucifix and a statue of St. Joseph sleeping. The spirituality of Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not made of “harmonised energies,” as he would call them, but of human faces: Christ, St. Francis, St. Joseph and Mary. The pope speaks of his trip to Brazil. He considers it a true grace, that World Youth Day was for him a “mystery.” He says that he is not used to talking to so many people: “I can look at individual persons, one at a time, to come into contact in a personal way with the person I have before me. I am not used to the masses,” the pope remarks. He also speaks about the

8

moment during the conclave when he began to realise that he might be elected pope. At lunch on Wednesday, March 13, he felt a deep and inexplicable inner peace and comfort come over him, he said, along with a great darkness. And those feelings accompanied him until his election later that day. The pope had spoken earlier about his great difficulty in giving interviews. He said that he prefers to think rather than provide answers on the spot in interviews. In this interview the pope interrupted what he was saying in response to a question several times, in order to add something to an earlier response. Talking with Pope Francis is a kind of volcanic flow of ideas that are bound up with each other. Even taking notes gives me an uncomfortable feeling, as if I were trying to suppress a surging spring of dialogue.

Who Is Jorge Mario Bergoglio? I ask Pope Francis point-blank: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” He stares at me in silence. I ask him if I may ask him this question. He nods and replies: “I do not know what might be the most fitting description.... I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a

literary genre. I am a sinner.” The pope continues to reflect and concentrate, as if he did not expect this question, as if he were forced to reflect further. “Yes, perhaps I can say that I am a bit astute, that I can adapt to circumstances, but it is also true that I am a bit na?ve. Yes, but the best summary, the one that comes more from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.” And he repeats: “I am one who is looked upon by the Lord. I always felt my motto, Miserando atque Eligendo [By Having Mercy and by Choosing Him], was very true for me.” The motto is taken from the Homilies of Bede the Venerable, who writes in his comments on the Gospel story of the calling of Matthew: “Jesus saw a publican, and since he looked at him with feelings of love and chose him, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’” The pope adds: “I think the Latin gerund miserando is impossible to translate in both Italian and Spanish. I like to translate it with another gerund that does not exist: misericordiando [“mercy-ing”]. Pope Francis continues his reflection and says, jumping to another topic: “I do not know Rome well. I know a few things. These include the Basilica of St. Mary Major; I always used to go

30 September 2013


there. I know St. Mary Major, St. Peter’s...but when I had to come to Rome, I always stayed in [the neighbourhood of] Via della Scrofa. From there I often visited the Church of St. Louis of France, and I went there to contemplate the painting of ‘The Calling of St. Matthew,’ by Caravaggio. “That finger of Jesus, pointing at Matthew. That’s me. I feel like him. Like Matthew.” Here the pope becomes determined, as if he had finally found the image he was looking for: “It is the gesture of Matthew that strikes me: he holds on to his money as if to say, ‘No, not me! No, this money is mine.’ Here, this is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff.” Then the pope whispers in Latin: “I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.”

Why Did You Become a Jesuit? I continue: “Holy Father, what made you choose to enter the Society of Jesus? What struck you about the Jesuit order?” “I wanted something more. But I did not know what. I entered the diocesan seminary. I liked the Dominicans and I had Dominican friends. But then I chose the Society of Jesus, which I knew well because the seminary was entrusted to the Jesuits. Three things in particular struck me about the Society: the missionary spirit, community and discipline. And this is strange, because I am a really, really undisciplined person. But their discipline, the way they manage their time – these things struck me so much. “And then a thing that is really important for me: community. I was always looking for a community. I did not see myself as a priest on my own. I need a community. And you can tell this by the fact that I am here in Santa Marta. At the time of the conclave I lived in Room 207. (The rooms were assigned by drawing lots.) This room where we are now was a guest room. I chose to live here, in Room 201, because when I took possession of the papal apartment, inside myself I dis-

30 September 2013

tinctly heard a ‘no.’ The papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace is not luxurious. It is old, tastefully decorated and large, but not luxurious. But in the end it is like an inverted funnel. It is big and spacious, but the entrance is really tight. People can come only in dribs and drabs, and I cannot live without people. I need to live my life with others.”

What Does It Mean for a Jesuit to Be Bishop of Rome? I ask Pope Francis about the fact that he is the first Jesuit to be elected bishop of Rome: “How do you understand the role of service to the universal church that you have been called to play in the light of Ignatian spirituality? What does it mean for a Jesuit to be elected pope? What element of Ignatian spirituality helps you live your ministry?” “Discernment,” he replies. “Discernment is one of the things that worked inside St. Ignatius. For him it is an instrument of struggle in order to know the Lord and follow him more closely. I was always struck by a saying that describes the vision of Ignatius: non coerceri a maximo, sed contineri a minimo divinum est (“not to be limited by the greatest and yet to be contained in the tiniest – this is the divine”). I thought a lot about this phrase in connection with the issue of different roles in the government of the church, about becoming the superior of somebody else: it is important not to be restricted by a larger space, and it is important to be able to stay in restricted spaces. This virtue of the large and small is magnanimity. Thanks to magnanimity, we can always look at the horizon from the position where we are. That means being able to do the little things of every day with a big heart open to God and to others. That means being able to appreciate the small things inside large horizons, those of the kingdom of God. “This motto,” the pope continues, “offers parameters to assume a correct position for discernment, in order to hear the things of God from God’s ‘point of view.’ According to St. Ignatius, great principles must be embodied in the circumstances of place, time and people. In his own way, John XXIII

adopted this attitude with regard to the government of the church, when he repeated the motto, ‘See everything; turn a blind eye to much; correct a little.’ John XXIII saw all things, the maximum dimension, but he chose to correct a few, the minimum dimension. You can have large projects and implement them by means of a few of the smallest things. Or you can use weak means that are more effective than strong ones, as Paul also said in his First Letter to the Corinthians. “This discernment takes time. For example, many think that changes and reforms can take place in a short time. I believe that we always need time to lay the foundations for real, effective change. And this is the time of discernment. Sometimes discernment instead urges us to do precisely what you had at first thought you would do later. And that is what has happened to me in recent months. Discernment is always done in the presence of the Lord, looking at the signs, listening to the things that happen, the feeling of the people, especially the poor. My choices, including those related to the day-to-day aspects of life, like the use of a modest car, are related to a spiritual discernment that responds to a need that arises from looking at things, at people and from reading the signs of the times. Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing. “But I am always wary of decisions made hastily. I am always wary of the first decision, that is, the first thing that comes to my mind if I have to make a decision. This is usually the wrong thing. I have to wait and assess, looking deep into myself, taking the necessary time. The wisdom of discernment redeems the necessary ambiguity of life and helps us find the most appropriate means, which do not always coincide with what looks great and strong.”

The Society of Jesus Discernment is therefore a pillar of the spirituality of Pope Francis. It expresses in a particular manner his Jesuit identity. I ask him then how the Society of Jesus can be of service to the church today, what are its charac

(To be contd...)

9


O

The Candidat eF or PM Candidate For That India Does N ot N eed No Need

n September 15, two days af ter the right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, he addressed a public meeting. Before a huge crowd, many of them ex-servicemen, Modi said it was he who envisioned and built the 700km Kutch pipeline, which carries fresh drinking water across Gujarat state to troops stationed on the border with arch-foe Pakistan. The three-time Gujarat chief minister said he did it out of respect for the soldiers stationed at the border. This statement was obviously greeted with thunderous applause. But it was far from the truth. The Kutch pipeline was initiated in 1985 by late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. In January 2001, Gujarat chief minister, Keshubhai Patel, Modi's predecessor, inaugurated it. By May 2003, barring a small stretch up to the border, most of the work was done. Under Modi, it was finally completed on August 16 2013, more than 10 years later. His speech demonstrates how he simultaneously takes credit for the achievements of others and glosses over his own inactivity. Gujarat in Western India has been one of the country’s more progressive and industrialized states. Today however, there is much hype over the socalled “Gujarat development model” under Modi, who has been chief minister since October 2001. But these are highly manipulated statistics, since Gujarat economic data for the years preceding 2001 was even more impressive. Gujaratis are known for their entrepreneurial skills and financial acumen. And economists tell us that Gujarat would have achieved this level of economic growth with or without the BJP; with or without Congress; with or without Modi. In fact, under Modi, Gujarat’s so-

10

Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ cial indicators are abysmal. Child malnutrition has increased; the male-female ratio is widening; the status of women has declined; unemployment and poverty in general has grown. So what is being flaunted as “development” or “good governance” is essentially a sham. On the human rights front, Modi’s performance is poor. The killing of more than 2,000 Muslims and the displacement of several thousands more during the “Gujarat carnage” of 2002 took place on his watch. Several legal cases in which he is named as the primary accused are ongoing. The National Human Rights Commission and even the Supreme Court have stated that responsibility for the protection of those citizens was definitely his. In March 2003, Modi introduced the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, one of the most draconian laws in India. It is clearly aimed at those who want to embrace another religion, and contravenes the Indian constitution, which guarantees Indians the right to preach, practice and propagate one’s religion. In February 2006, at the Shabri Kumbh Mela, a Hindu religious gathering in the Dangs area of Gujarat, Modi ranted and raved against Christian missionaries and their work. Modi has also been accused of being behind the alleged killing of several Muslim youths, in what are commonly known as "police fake encounters," in which officials kill “armed” people in stage managed shootouts. In a 10-page letter written on September 1, D G Vanzara, a former senior

Gujarat police official who was jailed several years ago in connection with the killing of several of these innocent Muslim youths, pointed the finger directly at Modi and Amit Shah, the former state home minister. He said he and other accused policemen were following government policy. Modi has been schooled in the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an extremist, right wing, paramilitary organization that was allegedly responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and several recent terror attacks. The core teaching of the RSS is "Hindutva"-- the formation of a Hindu nation state where minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, are accepted only as second class citizens. There is little doubt that Modi subscribes to this Hindutva agenda which goes against the secular, democratic and pluralistic fabric of the constitution. Thus promoting Modi as a prime ministerial candidate poses a very serious threat not only to India, but also to the whole of South Asia. Modi’s style as a politician, besides being divisive, is also authoritarian. This style does not have a place in an era where coalition politics has come to stay in India, and which emphasizes the need and importance of collaborating with political partners across the spectrum. National elections in India are due in May 2014. Candidates who are likely to win seats are those who best represent the interests of all, particularly the poor and the marginalized. The ‘Modi for PM’ campaign will be on overdrive in the coming months. But the people of India will vote for a party or an individual that stands for the democratic and secular traditions of the country based on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Modi does not fit this bill. Cedric Prakash is a Jesuit priest and the Director of PRASHANT (Tranquility), the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace

30 September 2013


Cardinal Oswald Gracias inaugurates Symposium of Kalyan Eparchy

As a part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kalyan organized a Symposium on the“Identityof the St. Thomas Catholic Migrants” at its Animation andRenewal Center, Panvel from September 12-14, 2013.The research papers by prominent scholars and Churchhistorians dealt with: The probabilities and possibilitiesof the journey of St. Thomas to Maharashtra, Christiancommunities of St. Thomas tradition on in western Maharashtraand Konkan coast; Migration on of SyroMalabar Catholics tothe cities in India and outside; Pastoral care for Migrants;Theology of Migration; Challenges faced at the initial stageof the Eparchy of Kalyan; Ecclesial tradition and spiritualityof the Syro-Malabar Church to be handed over to thenext generation; Preservation of Ecclesial Identity of Syro-Malabar Migrants; Transmission of faith and traditionsetc. The symposium ended with an Ecumenical Fellowshipattended by delegates of many Christian churches. Apaper on ‘Unity of Action among the migrants’ was presented byGeevarghese Mar Coorilos of the Malankara OrthodoxSyrian Church. Cardinal Oswald Gracias inaugurated the Symposiumwith Prof. Col. Dr. James Thomas, former Vice Chancellor of D. Y.Patil University, as the Guest of Honour. Bishop

30 September 2013

ThomasElavanal gave the keynote address.Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara and Bishop Thomas Dabre, Mar BoscoPuthur, Mar Paul Chittilapilly, Mar Sebastian

Vadakkaland Mar Paul Alapatt were among 25 other eminentresource persons. Delegates from the different Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara migrant communities and endedthe symposium. The organizers are extremely happy that this symposium had been instrumental to bring more clarity in the identity of the St. Thomas Catholic migrants not only of the Eparchy of Kalyan but also of the migrants in the global scenario.Devotion filled liturgical celebrations and prayers, wellreflected inaugural speech, erudite keynote address, 25 scholarly paper presentations, attentively codified statement, ecumenical fellowship, prudent moderations, comfortable stay, 300 elite participants etc.added color and vigor to the Symposium. Publishing the presented papers in a book form is a decision taken in the Symposium itself. Fr. Francis Eluvathingal Chancellor and Chairman, Symposium Committee

Education World - Award to Dr A. F. Pinto & Madam Grace Pinto

Education World in association with C -Fore organized its sixth annual India’s school Ranking Award where India’s top day boarding and International schools were felicitated. It was a great honor for Ryan International Group of Institutions when its chairman, Dr A. F. Pinto and Managing Director, Madam Grace Pinto were awarded with Lifetime Achievement Award in Education Leadership 2013 for their extraordinary contribution towards the growth and development of high quality English medium K-12 education and for playing major role in building India’s promising education segment providing value based education to lakhs of children throughout the country.

In a glittering ceremony at Hotel Lalit, New Delhi the award was received by Ryan Pinto, CEO, Ryan Group in the presence of all top Educators of India. The entire audience applauded with the standing ovation for Dr Pinto and Madam Grace Pinto’s vision, dedication and passion in the field of Education and for their valuable contribution.

11


12

30 September 2013


30 September 2013

13


THANKSGIVING

They Prayed and Favours Granted

Thanksgiving Ads & Anouncements: Favours granted minimum

Colour Rs. 600

B/W Rs. 400

each additional block Holy Spirit Prayer Other small prayers (upto 100 words)

Rs. 400 Rs. 800 Rs. 800

Rs. 200 Rs. 600 Rs. 600

i.e. 15 words + 1 block(1 photo of saint)

All your family problems, financial needs, purity, dangers, job, housing, happy death and other needs, pray to your favourite Saints from the bottom of your heart. Announce the favours granted.

Contact: Tel.: 22693578, 22654924 THE SECULAR CITIZEN, 99, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai - 400001

Thanksgiving

Our lady of Vailankanni Cured me as I was suffering from a deseases for sometime. I thank her for the favour granted. —L. P. D'Souza, Mangalore

Thanks to St. Francis Xavier for the favours granted. Praying for more favours. — Mrs. Maria F. Pereira, Bandra

Thank you Blessed Sacrament for helping me to get peace of mind from my deep family tension. — A Devotee

Thanksgiving

My heart felt thanks to Holy Family for the favours granted

—Mrs Kavita D'Souza, Thane

Thanks to Sacred Heart of Jesus & St. Jude for the favours granted

Thanks to

St. Alphonsa for the favours granted —George N. R., Gujrat

14

Thanks to

Infant Jesus for the favours granted —D. B. F., Vasai

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, loved, glorified & praised throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come. St. Jude worker of miracles pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us. Amen, Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days.

— B.M.

30 September 2013


Five Essential Rules For Spiritual Growth

F

aith is primal. Like parents, it is necessary to our religious growth in the early years for survival, protection, and guidance, in case we panic. It is the exclusive reason Christ continues throughout our life. Emerging into the Christian faith through baptism the entrapment of the spirit is released for spiritual growth. Having been given the gift of free-will survival to follow Christ is subsequently a major and elaborate challenge. The Five Rules in faith for spiritual growth applies to all Christians only after having been baptized.

Speaking about faith.

ously pointed out the Rules are practical : just five Rules for the Lord to penetrate your life. Experience the Christian mantra to help your meditation and prayers.

DAILY PRAYER. “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”(Mat.21:22). Have trust in Jesus. Make your prayer sincere, believing that God hears every word. Do not be distracted when you speak to Him. Lay down your heart in the crumbling chapel of your spirit. Choose a prayer which applies to your needs. Apply silence for a few minutes. The next step in the First Rule is to read a chapter from your Bible. Discipline your thoughts, focus and try to review the chapter in your Bible reading.

REPENTANCE FOR SINS. “…re-

pentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his In the Gospel of Matthew we name…” (Lk.24:47). Reare shown an insight into pentance is a unique fachow Jesus cast out the detor in the basics of the mon from a boy. When quesCatholic Church’s teachtioned by his disciples on ing. When you are sorry how he did it Jesus said: “ for your sins show an openFor truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard Melvyn Brown ness to make a good confession. “And if there is reseed…nothing will be impentance, you must forpossible for you.” (Matt.17:20). Faith becomes lucent, less give.” (Lk.17:3). Confession is the Saccomplex when we follow the essential rament of Penance. “It is called the Rules for spiritual growth in faith. The sacrament of Confession, since the psalmist cried : “I kept my faith, even disclosure or confession of sins to a when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’ priest is an essential element of this sacrament.”(CCC 1424). This makes it (Ps.116:10). the Second Rule. There is never a better time than now to follow the intelligible Rules for spiritual ATTEND TWO MASS’ IN THE enrichment. Before all else you must WEEK. The Eucharistic celebration accept and agree to adapt to the change (Holy Mass) helps to transform us to a which will come in your lifetime. Your greater love for God. The solemn rite attitude towards others will divulge should be attended twice in the week. signs of growth for the greater good. This practice is the Third Rule. Holy The leaven of faith will reveal a ten- Communion must follow to empower dency to spread the Word of God as His witness. “Do this in memory of through spiritual exercise. As previ- me”. The Catechism of the Catholic

30 September 2013

Church states : “ The command of Jesus to repeat his actions and words “until he comes” does not only ask us to remember Jesus and what he did. It is directed at the liturgical celebration by the apostles and their successors, of the memorial of Christ, of his life, of his death, of his Resurrection and of his intercession in the presence of the Father.”(CCC 1341).

FORGIVENESS OF ENEMIES. We recall one of the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. “ Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”(Lk.23:34). The words document his love from the divine heart and the compassion of Christ. Those words framed the core message of the Christian faith, to love and forgive. We have inherited the Lord’s command to forgive our enemies. The Fourth Rule is to examine our conscience, while thinking of those who hate us. Forgiving them as Jesus did on the cross. Let the images of your enemies pass through your mind’s eye. Try to feel pity for their ignorance, their diabolical dreams, their brainwashed and warped ideas for world domination. Ask God to forgive them. Re-examine your conscience.

TWO ACTS OF CHARITY. The Fifth Rule. Show two acts of kindness and charity in the week. Give with a willing heart Help, even when it hurts. These acts will enliven your spirit receiving joy in giving and sharing. A major part of your charity must be a personal sacrifice. You must fiercely protect this Fifth Rule of faith. It is obvious that however hard the task, the reward will be sweet. The practice of the Five Rules will bring clarity of thoughts, peace of mind, better relationships with those you know and meet with inner happiness of the spirit. The presence of the Lord will always be with you in your spiritual growth, and in your true religious faith.

15


Fat im a of t he E a st ima the Ea

ing, only for the love of Mother Mary through whose intercessions one obtains the graces, divine solace and miraculous interventions in life. Since the Shrine is beside the Karjat railway station many pay a short visit on their way to Mumbai or Pune. These devotees who peregrinate the shrine also bring hope to the activities of the shrine. Pilgrim places are not created they become so; and if the Shrine of Fatima at Karjat has remained a pilgrim place since last the 78 years; then why not

Fr Calistus Fernandes Shrine of our Lady of Fatima, Karjat calistusf@gmail.com

F

or many, Karjat is no more a far off or distant place after they have found the ‘Fatima of East’. God’s wonderful gift, which is slowly unfolding to many! This Shrine attracts thousands of devotees across the Archdiocese of Mumbai and the neighboring Diocese. A cross section of devotees of different creeds and different walks of life throng here with a grateful heart for the bountiful blessings showered on them through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima. They are here despite all odds and without complain-

16

make it best by enhancing it further. The significance of the Shrine is not the place around but the beautiful Statue of Our Lady of Fatima which adorns the place. It is beyond ones understanding as to how this statue was brought here in 1920, just three years after Our Lady’s apparition at Fatima, Portugal. At the completion of the new church at Karjat, in the year 1935, this statue was installed at its present location. Many who come for the first time are baffled to see the small old structure with not much happening around, at a place which lacks infrastructure in comparison to other Shrines. The Shrine committee envisages

to lead the devotees of Our Lady of Fatima to a life in abundance (John 10:10), redeemed from all bondage of superstitious beliefs and false devotion. In no way we intend to make a separate ‘Fatima Cult’. The devotees attending the services here are reminded that Mary’s glory is seen only in the light of Jesus. That, the greatest miracle is not redemption from the problems but finding peace in the midst of the problem, it is not in the Lord meeting ones need but in ones encounter with Him even amidst problems and freedom from it; if it is His will. The Fatima message is only remainder of the forgotten gospel message that is right way of prayer, sincere conversion and true penance. During the ‘Year of Faith’, the fivefold goals based on the Call of Fatima to combat evil are stressed. The world is not heading towards the omega point. Seeing the current happenings around one wonders if this is what God has created man for. Mother Mary’s message at Fatima reminds us that it is the absence of the Lord in the life of many that leads to escalating of conflict. Total surrender, receiving strength through the Eucharist, remaining in the state of continuous grace, reaching out in love to the needy, building a strong faith by reading the scriptures, Vatican

30 September 2013


II and CCC document is how the devotees who attend the devotional services on the 13th of every month are enlightened. The primary objective of Fatima message is to develop sanctity of life to the highest degree possible. It is only through this sanctified life that one can be a beacon of light in this confused life. Building a new Jerusalem, the civilization of love and peace that is envisioned in the message. The message calls for fraternal and generous love to all in need. This Fatima Shrine at Karjat exists in the Raigad district, a mission area of the Archdiocese wherein almost 12 % of the population are Katakaris, a tribal community, who are considered the least. It will be an utter paradox to gather in an area like this to venerate the Virgin mother who appeared to three little children and to neglect the least in this area, especially the children who are malnourished and school drop-outs. With limited resources the Church in Raigad is continuously finding ways and means to reach out to this deprived community through teachers and social workers. It is encouraging to see youngsters who arrange their pilgrimage at the Shrine combined with a visit to these tribal people. Devotees have been generous in their love offering. As a moral responsibility, out of the resources received, part is shared to improve the life of the deprived, specially the Katakaris. In the near future we hope to share much more knowing that it is in giving that we will receive. We strive to make this Shrine a place reaching out in the service of Evangelization and charitable outreach. The 78th Annual pilgrimage at Karjat this year will be held on October 13th, and it coincides with the ‘Marian Day’ celebrations at the Vatican. Pope Francis will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special prayer that will be offered in front of the Statue of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, which will be brought to Rome from Fatima, Portugal. This year’s Marian Day is one of the great pontifical events marked on the calendar of celebrations of the Year of Faith. In Rome there will be a gathering of hundreds of movements and institutions connoted with Marian devotion. The Archdiocese

30 September 2013

Get The Best Out Of Your Team Pursuing a few leadership qualities will help you reap maximum benefits from co-workers

M

ost of the innovative lead ers don't bother to en courage the people around them to innovate as well. They see little value in building talent around them. They lack the patience to let their team members discover their skills and talents. But, this does not benefit in the long run as most projects led by a single person with no valuable inputs from others can see a decline. * Choosing right people for job is a very important task. According to the requirement surround yourself with the right working environment. Choose creative and hard-working staff. * while coming up with new projects and ideas always make sure that you put every-

of Bombay, is blest with five churches dedicated to Our Lady Fatima.. Here at the shrine of Fatima, Karjat, all are gearing to make the Marian Day a day of celebration with total surrender to the Lord through Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. We will focus on “Blessed are you, because you believed” as the Theme. May all who pay a visit to this Shrine and venerate our blessed Mother through the renowned Fatima statue, installed here be protected from all perditions and predicaments and be effective messengers of God’s love, especially to lowly and needy. It is love and forgiveness that is going to save the world, the only way to look at the future with hope. Fatima is a message of Faith, Light and Hope which in the darkest moment of History has served as a beacon to all of us. We join hands to bring the Fatima’s prophetic mission to completion.

*

*

one at work. Make your team understand that their input is as important and they need to contribute to ideas. You can ask the team to come up with a new design either individually or as a group. Possess ability to listen to subordinate's ides. Encourage the team to try out new techniques and taking a risk with their ideas is a good way to bring innovation in the company. Help the team to be in the loop of the progress of the project which can be a good learning ground for them.

Subscriptions for

The Secular Citizen

Renewal as well as New, can be sent

through Bank Fund Transfer to any one of the following banks: Bank: HDFC Bank Branch : CST - Mumbai VT Account Name: The Secular Citizen Account No. 03552000006744 ISFC code: HDFC0000355 or Bank: Citizen Credit Co-op Bank Ltd., Branch : Colaba, Mumbai Account Name: The Secular Citizen Account No. 000000000000489 ISFC code: CCBL0209003 Please inform us through email: secular@vsnl.com or through phone: 22693578 after transferring the same.

17


Tattoo Craze! Baap Re Baap!! How To Say No To People Who Ask For Money

J

ust outside the Infant Jesus Church at Ganesh Nagar in Dombivili (West), a suburb of Mumbai, is a tattoo shop run by a Catholic parishioner. And what is disgusting is that every Sunday morning after Mass, a lot of people enter this shop to get themselves tattooed. What people do not realize is that tattoos disfigure and tarnish the skin permanently. They also cause skin infection. Some people get themselves tattooed to show independence and everyone else does. "Therefore come rejection of parental values. Others get out from among them and be separate, themselves tattooed because they be- says the Lord. Do not touch what is lieve that they are stylish --- it's fashion unclean, and I will receive you." (1 they say! Corinthians 6:17). The Holy Bible tells us in Leviticus "And whatever you do or say, let it 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings be as a representative of the Lord Jesus in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any Christ, all the while giving thanks marks on you.” This passage clearly through him to God the Father." tells us that God does not want us to (Colossians 3:17). All of our actions are decorate our bodies with to represent Jesus Christ different kinds of graphics and I really cannot picture or tattoos. the Saviour with snakes, Also in 1 Corinthians demons, butterflies or 3:17 we read, “If anyone dragons tattooed across defiles the temple of God, His forearms or chest. God will destroy him. For What if someone has the temple of God is holy.” made the mistake of getAgain in 1 Corinthians themselves tattooed? Jubel D'Cruz ting 6:19-20, we read, "Do you Have they gone too far? not know that your body is Absolutely not! 1 John 1:9 the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in assures us that, "If we confess our sins, you, whom you have from God, and He is faithful and just to forgive them you are not your own? For you were and to cleanse us from all bought at a price; therefore glorify God unrighteousness." in your body and in your spirit, which According to the Holy Bible, getare God's." The Lord God designed our ting oneself tattooed is a ‘mortal’ sin bodies to be a temple and a dwelling and if anyone has got themselves tatplace for His Spirit. In the same way tooed, they must repent for it and conthat Solomon's temple was free from fess it to a priest or directly to God graffiti, we should also not defile our (Jesus). The human body is the temple bodies, since it is also God's holy temple. of the HolyX-Spam-Subject: YES XThroughout history and in the Holy Spam-Subject: YES Spirit and one must Bible, tattoos have been related to pa- not misuse it for any wrong purpose, be gan practices and wild living. As Chris- it sex outside marriage, masturbation, tians, we are to be set apart as holy homosexuality, smoking, drinking alvessels for God (1 Peter 1:14-19) and to cohol or getting oneself tattooed. turn away from things that link us to this Remember, the Saviour is waiting world which is passing away. Remem- to enter your heart, why don't you let ber that 1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to Him come in. "abstain from all appearances of evil." We're not supposed to be like the (Jubel D'Cruz is a freelance writer and the author of several children's books) rest of the pagan world and live the way

18

Lending money can be one of the most painful favours that you can do to your close ones. Apart from family members, you feel awkward and uncomfortable to lend cash as they might take more than the required time to return money. Once you lend money, the borrower will happily butter you and take the money. But, when you ask your money back, he/she takes time or makes excuses most of the times to delay. These tips will prevent you from lending money and also help you maintain your relationship with the borrower (family, friend, neighbour, relative or colleagues). •

Sorry dude, I am also broke: When you say you are broke, you simply mean that you do not have money to lend anyone. They might not believe you, so show them critical conditions in when you are surviving. If you say you are also broke, your borrower will not force you as he/she knows you can't lend money even if you want to.

Be firm and polite: When you say 'No' to the borrower, make sure you are not rude or harsh on the person. This can hurt his/her ego and also affect your relationship. So be calm and polite. Play with the words to say 'No' in the correct way.

Offer non-financial help: If you do not want to lend the money and say 'No', do not leave your close one all along. Offer non-financial help so that they do not feel isolated during their bad times. It also helps them get some solutions to the problems.

30 September 2013


Whatever Next? A Cologne Named After The Pope ated in response to popular demand. On the response, Hass commented, "We are hearing words like 'gentle,' 'simple,' 'warm,' 'pleasing' -- and even 'heavenly' -- used to describe the new fragrance. These are precisely the terms used by the media and the new Pope's close associates to describe His Holiness' own character traits and personal demeanor."

Thoughtfulness

Why Does God Allow Suffering The Bible Teaches.: • God does not cause the bad condition in the world. —job34:10 • By calling God a liar and saying that He withholds good from His subjects, Satan questioned God's right to rule. —Genesis3:2-5 • God will use his Son, the Ruler of Messianic Kingdom, to end the human suffering and to undo its effects. —1john3:8.

Most important things for a healthy realtionship International: Pope Francis' personality has been encapsulated in fragrance form with the release of a pope cologne by Excelsis Fine Fragrances. CEO Frederick Hass founded the company in 2005, after obtaining a recipe for Pope Pius IX's cologne, and has gone on to create other papal scents like "Benedictus" in 2006, and now "Francis." But what does the pontifical scent smell like? Hass told the Christian Post that he tried to evoke Pope Francis' "humble and down to earth" character with the cologne, which mainly consists of bergamot and sandalwood. "I didn't want to get anything too flashy," Hass explained. "So I wanted something subtle and dignified and relatively simple." A press release from Excelsis stated that the new cologne was cre-

Readymade Wedding Gowns, Christening Sets, First Holy Communion Dresses & All other Wedding Accessories and Thermocole Decoration, also Available at

White Rose Sharaf Manzil, 1st Floor, 650, J.S.S. Rd, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, Mumbai 400002

Tel.: 2207 4223

Emails:davidprinters@gmail.com / bryan@vsnl.com

30 September 2013

1.Love: The special feeling that makes you feel, all warm and wonderful. 2. Respect: Treating others as well as you would like to be treated. 3. Appreciation: To be greatful for all the good things life has to offer. 4. Happiness: The full enjoyment of each moment, a smiling face. 5. Forgiveness: The ability to let things be without anger. 6. Sharing: The joy of giving without thought of receiving. 7. Honesty: The quality of always telling the truth. 8. Integrity: The purity of doing what's right, no matter what. 9. Compassion: The essence of feeling another's pain, while easing their hurt. 10. TRUST and PEACE: The reward for living the 10 most important things.

—Prof. Valerian Sequeira

Pollution There’s pollution everywhere, And clean air is found nowhere. Smoke from industries and vehicles, Keep polluting the air. To live on the earth, Has indeed become a nightmare! I think there is no place, Without pollution anywhere! —Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivili

JACK OF ALL STALL Reliable House for Religious Goods

Gloria Church Bldg., 263, Dr. Ambedkar Rd., Byculla, Mumbai - 400027 Tel.: 23725963, 23749358 Estd: 1951

Prop. B. D'Souza

19


MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years. Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 55 kgs., Fair Complexion, Edn. T.Y. B.Com., Working as a Sr. Collection Advisor. Contact Email : perpthevirgo@yahoo.co.in OR 9821302840 (Regd. No. 5919) MUMBAI : Tamilian Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 47 years. Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 66 kgs., Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., BBA., MBA (Finance), working as a Finance Manager. Seeks a suitable Match. Contact Email : talentedgradewisdom@yahoo.com OR 9819939479 / 9930559783 (Regd. No. 5914) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelore aged 31 years. Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 64 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Accounts Officer in MNC. Seeks a simple working graduate Mangalorean girl. Contact Email: ashwin_roche@yahoo.com IR 9892386686 / 9403644066 (Regd. No. 5913) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 40 years. Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 65 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. S.S.C. A/C Tech. Course, working as a A/C. Technician in U.A.E. Contact Email : jeedza@gmail.com OR 8976361324 / 24460855 (Regd. No. 5911) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 31 years. Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 58 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. LLB., B.Com., working in Indian Railways. Seeks a Mangalorean educated girl. Contact Email : graceydsouza@gmail.com OR Tel.: 26787431 (Regd. No. 5909) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 33 years. Ht. 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.B.E. Mech. working as a Manager. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : graceydsouza@ gmail.com OR Tel.: 2678743 (Regd. No. 5908) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 32 years. Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complex-

20

ion, Edn. PGDB (Marketing), Working as a Marketing research, Seeks a Simple, honest, Mangalorean girl. Contact : dsouza_dyson@yahoo.co.in OR 9821607121 (Regd. No. 5903) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 85 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., +Post Graduate 2nd year, well settled in Mumbai, Seeks a suitable good looking, working girl below 27 years,. Contact email : riya.anthony11@gmail.com OR 8390022313 (Regd. No. 5898) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. S.S.C., working as a Receptionist. Seeks a suitable match. Simple, understanding and ajustable nature. Contact : Email : mnl_gonsalves@yahoo.co.in OR 9833094187 / 64235329 (Regd. No. 5897) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 28 years, Ht. 5’ 111/2”, Wt. 84 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E., Mumbai University, having own business. Seeks a Roman Catholic educated girl from Mumbai, below 27 years. Contact : Email: snad2450@gmail.com OR 28388034 (Regd. No. 5896) MUMBAI : Keralite Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. U.K. Graduate, having own business. Seeks a educated, mild natured, with a balanced lifestyle, smart, below 27 years.Contact : email: edfernz@gmail.com OR 66998519 / 28541673 (Regd. No. 5895) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’, Wt.

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years

45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. BA Pursving M.A., working as a C.S.E. (MNC), Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email: clintjude2002@yahoo.co.in OR 9819394473 (Regd. No. 5894) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 65 kgs, light Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.M.S. in H.R. working as a Sr. H.R. Officer. Email : contactmissmiriam@ gmail.com OR 9819985128 (Regd. No. 5893) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XIIth std., having own business. Contact : 9767630415 / 9175186730 (Regd. No. 5892) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Microsoft Engineer in Bangalore. Well settled, having own house in Bangalore. Seeks a educated Mangalorean girl from good family background. Contact Email : lorettag58@gmail.com OR 9323949129 / 9867848489 (Regd. No. 5880) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Multinational Bank. Seeks a Goan Roman Catholic graduate working girl. Contact Email: miltonintouch3@gmail.com OR 0251-2680461 (Regd. No. 5877) Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 30 September 2013


MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 26 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. March Environmental Architecture, Architect by profession. Seeks a well settled Mangalorean bachelor preferable from Mumbai. (Regd. No. 5872) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 30 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 52 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn.B.E., (Computer Engg.,) working as a Senior Consultant. Contact : seema.machado@gmail.com / drrashanmachado@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5871) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 23 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B. Pharm., working as a Trainee, Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : ra29137@gmail.com OR 8097033180 (Regd. No. 5870) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 48 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 42 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC, employed as a Office Executive. Religion No Bar. Contact Email : sairafleur@yahoo.com OR 9870356752 / 9773466716 (Regd. No. 5868) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 27 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 54 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E., M.B.A., working as a Marketing Professioanl, Well settled, Seeks a suitable Mangalorean boy, below 30 years, Well qualified. Contact Email : theo_valli@yahoo.co.in OR 8452870455 (Regd. No. 5867) MUMBAI : Roman Catholic Spinster, 26 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Fair Complexion, good looking, Edn. B.A., CPL., working as a Pilot, Seeks a well qualified preferably Doctors/Civil Services/ Businessman below 30 years. Contact Email: royaltyping.2010@gmail.com OR 9820092831 (Regd. No. 5866)

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 30 September 2013

UDUPI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 27 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBBS, MS., Doctor by profession. Seeks a suitable match. Contact : joycepascalrozario@gmail.com OR 9880702121 (Regd. No. 5865) UDUPI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 24 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.E. (Tele com) Working in BANGALORE. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email: helenandrade79@gmail.com OR 0820-2546093 (Regd. No. 5864) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 25 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 59 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E. (IT) MS working as a Software Engineer. Contact Email: dawdsouza@gmail.com OR 9869036355 (Regd. No. 5862) MUMBAI : Tamilian Roman Catholic Spinster, 25 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 52 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B. Com., (MBA), working as a International Sales coordinator. Contact : 9819715377 (Regd. No. 5858) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 29 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B. Com., Diploma in Journalism. Working as an Asst. Editor. Seeks a simple, graduate and well settled bachelor. Contact Email : daisy_dsouza2008@yahoo.com OR Mob : 9768515457 / 9833662998 (Regd. No. 5854) AURANGABAD : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 24, 5’ 4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.Com., M.B.A. Student, having own Business. (Beauty Therapist) Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email: robertaurangabad@gmail.com OR Mob.: 9370707116 (Regd. No. 5852) MUMBAI : RC Spinster, 32, 5’ 4”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Marine Personnel Officer in a reputed Shipping Company. Seeks a Roman Catholic Bachelor below 36 years, above 5’ 6”, minimum graduate and financially stable. Contact 9892217659 / 9769432469

Email : reni_dias1981@yahoo.co.in (Regd. No. 5851) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 29, 5’ 2”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.D.S., (Dentist), Doctor by profession. Having own Dispensary. Seeks a Professionaly qualified bachelor. Contact : email : apoline_ubi@yahoo.co.in OR Tel.: 9920283957 (Regd. No. 5850) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 31, 5’ 2”, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Pharm, Ph.D., Seeks a well settled qualified bachelor. Contact : email : apoline_ubi@yahoo.co.in OR Tel.: 9920283957 (Regd. No. 5849) MUMBAI : Parents of Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 32, 5’ 6”, Slim, Fair, goodlooking, smart, B.Sc., Assisant Manager in Tatas. Seeks a suitable well settled Goan Bachelor. Contact : email : fradina2000@gmail.com OR Tel.: 24461697 (Regd. No. 5848) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Spinster, Aged 25, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., employed as an Administrator. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : dsouzareena10@gmail.com OR 9920623791 / 7738745831 (Regd. No. 5847) MUMBAI : Goan R.C. Parents of spinster, Only Child, 29 / 5’4”, Wt. 50 kgs, B.A. M.S., Pyschotherapy seeks a suitable match hardworking, honest, godfearing, bachelor. Contact Email: anushka_nunes@yahoo.com / silvergold2cr@yahoo.co.in (Regd. No. 5844) Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 21


Smile Your Way To Success Keep on smiling to attract more happiness and success in your life When you realise the true benefits that everyone gains from a smile it is surprising that more people don't spend more of thneir time sharing them!

1. our smile shows others that we are friendly If a stranger approached you and then treated you to a broad smile you will have a fairly good idea that they are being friendly and certainly mean you no harm. By contrast we would find it far more diffcult to offer trust to the stranger that wears a scowl or unfriendly face features.

2. a smile can make people happy. When someone treats you to a smile, even a stranger, you usually smile back. For that moment you enjoy a flash of positive communication without saying a word. As you walk through a crowded area such as a main street you can do this hundreds times in a very short period of time. When you smile at someone who is not already smiling and they smile back you have brought a moment of happiness into their lives which, who knows, could last all day.

3. Smiling in infestious When you spend a lot in the company of someone who smiles a llot you will soon discover that their smile starts to wear off on you. It is hard not to return a smile; most of us do it at a subconscious level without thinking.

4. Smiling can make you popular Which type of people do you prefer? A person that has a tired and listless face. An expression that may reflect their inner throughts of boredom and worry? or, would you prefer someone who is always smiling and shows that they

22

have an enthusiastic passion for life.

5. smiling can help you to make new friends. In the same way few of us would choice a miserable person for a friend. Let's face it we all want someone who is going to be bubbly and a happy and positive.

Useful Kitchen Tips • To ensure that dal cooks quickly, add a little bit of oil and turmeric powder to it before pressure cooking. • In warm climate bananas tend to get over-ripe. To stop the process of ripening, put bananas in the refrigerator. The skin may turn black, but the fruit itself will remain firm. • Never store onions and potatoes in the same bag or container. Separate them to prevent the potatoes from rotting. • To prevent rice grains from sticking one has to remove starch. To do this wash the rice several times till water runs clear, then let it soak for 20 minutes in clean water. • When making ginger-garlic paste at home, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vinegar to the mix. It won't change the taste much and will allow you to store it in the refrigerator for about two weeks. • Rubbing your hands on a stainless steel sink or container removes the pungent smell of garlic, onions or other spices. • When baking, always use room temperature butter and eggs. Using these straight from the refrigerator will make it harder to blend and mix.

6. Smiling makes you positive and happy inside. When you smile it is hard to feel unhappy, negative or sad in anyway. Smiling gives you enthusiasm and drive. it is also habit forming.

7. smiling also helps make you memorable to others! Have you noticed that smiling people are usually far more memorable than those that are not? it is fact that you are 3 times more likely to remember the person that is wearing a negative or neutral features.

8. Most importantly,smiling is good for your health! When you are smiling you find whatever you are doing far easier. it releases strees, worry and tension that you may have built up throught the day.

9. The effects of smiling can last for hours. Whatever problems and challenges you havein your life, smiling temporary puts them and hold. For a while you forget the problems and become positive state you have far more potential and power to advance and improve your life.

Lastly: Smiling is free. You are never going to run shorts of smiles and will always have enough to go around. When you weigh up the positive points of smiling it is a no brainer desion to do far more smiling and share them with as many people as possible. keep smiling.

30 September 2013


Let The TTalents alents Of Our Society Get Recognition

‘The Secular Citizen’ and ‘DIVO’ Instituted Awards

DIVO, sister publication of The Secular Citizen presented its first ever ‘DIVO Puraskar’ award which includes Rs. 50,000 cash in the year 2001. Since then so far 21 individuals have received cash awards of Rs. 25,000 each and honoured with a Citation, Memento, Shawl and fruits in the presence of large audience. Subsequently other awards are added and jointly presented by both the periodicals from time to time. The awards are received due publicity through print and electronic media. Some of these awards are sponsored by generous well-wishers. Some of our awards list is given below. Creation of more awards from generous sponsors are most welcome. The awards are given in recognition and appreciation to individuals who have made excellent contribution to the society.

‘The Secular Citizen Life-time Achievement Award’ ‘The Secular Citizen Writer of the Year Award’ ‘DIVO Puraskar’ ‘DIVO Life-time Achievement Award’ ‘DIVO P. D'Souza Smarak Puraskar’ ‘DIVO Sahitya Puraskar Smarak Maria Jayanti Bahuman’ ‘Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top’ - Free Youth Seminar (over 12 seminars in 10 years covered over 8000 youth in Mangalore and Mumbai) Your generous contributions / Sponsorship for above awards and seminars are welcome Awards and scholarships for higher education can be created in your own or your family name which can benefit more deserving candidates from the society. Contact:

The Secular Citizen 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001 Tel.: 22693578, 22654924 Emails: secular@vsnl.com / secular@sezariworld.com

30 September 2013

23


24

RNI No. 56987/92

Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.

30 September 2013

Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14

Printed and Published by Lawrence Coelho at The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Harihar Nivas, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel.: 2269 3578, 2265 4924 30 September 2013 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo

24


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.