December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
1
2
Bumber X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Pharmaceutic als L eadership A ward 2010 Pharmaceuticals Leadership Award
Shri Joseph D’Souza Chairman, Osworld Scientific Equipments Pvt. Ltd. receiving the Award from the Governor Of Maharashtra on 26th June 2010
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
3
4
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
5
6
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
7
8
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
HENRY LOBO
Heniel Pack D-105, Ghatkopar Industrial Estate, Lalbahadur Shastri Marg, Mumbai - 400 086
: 25007173 O 67969714 O Fax : 25007194 Email ID : heniel@rediffmail.com
Preema Packaging OFFSET PRINTERS
Manufacturers of Printing & Packaging Materials A-27, Nandkishore Industrial Estate, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 093
: 26875960 O 26875039 O 26875950 O O 65149635 Fax : 6691 5152 E-mail : preema@mtnl.net.in / preemapackaging07@yahoo.co.in
Email ID : preema@vsnl.net
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
9
10 10
Bumper BumperX’mas X’masIssue Issue2013 2013
December23, 23,2013 2013 December
December 23, 2013
11
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Mother, The Heart of Christmas A WEEKLY FAMILY FAVOURITE
Putting Christ back into Christmas A. A. Nazazareth
Vol.22 No.51 December 23, 2013 Rs.20/- Christmas Greetings - ... 99, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.
Tel: 2269 35 78 / 2265 49 24 : 2264 0996 E-mail : secular@vsnl.com, secular@sezariworld.com
Website: www.secularcitizen.com www.sezariworld.com Editor: PHILIP MYABOO
Contents
Ladislaus L. D'Souza Irvin Almeida
—Publisher
THE SECUALR CITIZEN Team Wishes Readers, Patrons, Friends, Well-wishers, Contributors and Advertisers Merry Christmas & A Peace Filled Happy New Year 2014 RNI No. 56987/92 Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14
14 15
Celebrating Christmas Meaningfully Fr. George Olivera ofm 16 Bethlehem - A Special ...
Paul Sequeira
19
Let us welcome the New Year
Jubel DCruz
20
The Season of Love
Mrs. Ninette D'Souza
21
And Mary Said "Yes" ...
Melville X. D'Souza
22
2014 A Beautiful Year of ....
Ella Almeida
23
About Time
Chhotebhai
24
Christmas and the God Particle
Denis Khan
25
A Christmas Collection
Bernie Tellis
26
Reader's Views
There will be no issue of dated 30-12-2013. Our next issue will be dated 06-01-2014 (i.e. Vol.23 No.1)
13
28
Run for India, Run for ...
Eric D'Sa
29
My 78th Christmas
Francis Lobo
30
Christmas * A Human Feast*
Fr. Anil Rego
31
Four Ways to Make Your ....
33
Agustinho Fernandes - ...
Ladislaus L. D'Souza
34
Top Of The House - Ninety
Francis Lobo
37
The Night An Angel Spoke
Capt. Mervin John Lobo 38
How Christmas Evolved
chhotebhai
40
Message of Christmas Tree ...
Dr. Leo Rebello
42
A Touching Christmas Story Christmas Facts
43 Jubel D'Cruz
Christmas Poems Reflections On The Morning ...
44 47
Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash 48
Importance of Christmas
49
Bone Marrow Donation - ...
Monica Fernandes
50
Who is St. Nicholas?
Jubel D'Cruz
52
Christmas Celebration in Mumbai ...
54
The Tradition of Midnight Mass
55
Matrimonials
56
'Artaban - The Fourth Maji'
Peter Castellino
58
12
C
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Cardinal Gracias Speaks Out Against Ban On Homosexuality
ardinal Oswald Gracias, Arch bishop of Mumbai and presi dent of the Episcopal Conference of India, said that the Church has “never considered gay people criminals,” after the Supreme Court of India restored a law banning homosexual acts. According to reports, Cardinal Gracias, a member of the Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis on Curial reform, said “the Catholic Church has never been opposed to the decriminalisation of homosexuality, because we have never considered gay people criminals.” “As Christians, we express our full respect for homosexuals. The Catholic Church is opposed to the legalisation of gay marriage, but teaches that homosexuals have the same dignity of every human being and condemns all forms of unjust discrimination, harassment or abuse,” Cardinal Gracias said. India’s Supreme Court overturned
a decision taken by the High Court of Delhi in 2009, which had decriminalised homosexual acts. The court said it was up to parliament to legislate on the is-
December 23, 2013
sue. According to Section 377, a 153year-old colonial law, a same-sex relationship is an “unnatural offence” and punishable by a 10-year jail term.
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
13
Mother, The Heart Of Christmas!
I
t’s Christmas, the feast of the great est impact-making childbirth in hu man history, the story of the advent of our redemption of which I first learnt from the lips of my dear mother! But Christmas without Mummy? Just how can this be - it feels so strange, sounds odd, too! True, advancing age ought to prepare us for not only our own death but for that of our ageing near and dear ones, too. Yet, never in my wildest dreams had I imagined a Christmas without my mother. Indeed, there’s something about Mum who died three months short of 90 years on Easter Wednesday this year that makes me feel a sense of emptiness, moving me to tears.
daughter who was born one Christmas Day, she suddenly blurted out “Carabelle!” – ‘Christmas Carols and Christmas Bells!’ Say ‘Amen’ to that!
Christmas Creativity
Catherine strove to surmount all odds to ensure that the brood of eight boys she bore my father, Diago, had a taste of the “You feel that way because your Mum family Christmas spirit we’d never forget. Though money was was very close to you, right?” scarce, ideas weren’t, making asks a close friend. “Certainly.” our little dwelling look its “Well, this Christmas, try Christmassy best. Inasmuch ‘gratitude’. Praise and thank as no Christmas sweets were God for the wonderful mother bought readymade, the decoshe was to you for 59 long rations were ALL, without exyears!” Christmas 2013 for me ception, homemade, the dethus gives substance to the saying “God could not be every- by Ladislaus L lightful fusion of material, glitter and colour putting where - so He made mothers”. D’Souza readymade stuff in the shade! Indeed! Mum, the epitome of gratitude, is still around, reminding me to be grateful for the fact that God so The family’s creativity, led by Mum’s, loved the world as to become human for flowed on to the curtains, too, there emerging an exquisite Christmas Curour sake. As for me, God was Mum! tain set—in true ‘Onida’ fashion, Seen in this light, Mum’s favourite carols neighbours’ envy, owner’s pride!—that COME, COME, COME TO THE MAN- was to witness some 30 Christmases to GER and ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD date! Santa prints on cotton whites ON HIGH take on special significance, bought cheap in the marketplace, suitthe simplicity of the lyrics implicit of the ably completed by Mum with white cotspirit of Christmas of which she was ever ton extensions and matching trimmings, so seized. This was best evident when, some painted by her sons, imparting to with all and sundry offering various com- the doors and windows a rare Christmas binations to name her youngest grand- warmth!
Gratitude, the essence of Christmas
As for the Crib and Tree, the imported varieties were beyond our means while podgy clay figurines and the ‘bottlebrush’ were not to our liking. We had instead home done hand-painted ply fretwork, and a re-usable wood-andwire tree crafted by the youngest in the family, decked in all its finery, electric fairy lights bringing it gloriously alive! At a time when computers were still unheard of and ‘recycling’ was a concept never discussed at home, drawand-paint and cut-and-paste gave us a thrill that the computer today can’t match. Old cards turned new as if by a magic wand, Mum, who was neatness personified, ensuring a neat handwriting gave our creations the right touch.
True Christmas spirit Mum very tactfully spelt out for us the value of shared work, even if that meant getting on each other’s nerves. Her remonstrations, however, about Christmas not being Christmas without the spirit of forgiveness saw us make up with one another well before the longawaited Midnight Mass! Will it always be so? Only time will tell. Well Mum, Merry Christmas! Thank you Mum, love you Mum! Our love to Papa! And, don’t forget, a nice little peck on the tender cheeks of Baby Jesus from us!
14
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Interesting Christmas Facts O Christmas trees are evergreen trees,
usually either a fir tree, pine tree or spruce tree. O Did you ever wonder where X-Mas
came from? X means Christ in Greek so to shorten the word Christmas we sometimes use XMas. O In the 18th century Christmas trees
began being decorated with candles. O Did you know that giving presents
were once banned by the Catholic Church. It was believed that gift giving was connected to paganism. O Do you know why we say the Twelve
Days of Christmas? It is believed that it took the 3 kings 12 days to find baby Jesus. O Santa Claus 8 eight reindeer are
named: Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder Blitzen.
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.
December 23, 2013
Putting Christ back into Christmas
2
000 years ago, something un usual and wonderful happened in Bethlehem, when the extraordinary became ordinary and the unacceptable became acceptable, with the virginal birth of the Messiah Jesus Christ , and the Godhead was revealed to humanity. This was the most unusual happening in human history , when God became man and entered our world by being born of a virgin --a mystery in which we rejoice, but too big for our minds to grasp. It was Jesus who came in poverty , not in So, as Christians, power, and lived a life in we need to ask ourselves the service of others , healwhat Christmas means to ing, forgiving, and revealus in this secular and pluing the love of the Father ralistic world. Is it merely and the kingdom of God the observance and celthrough his works of ebration every December mercy and compassion. 25, with merry -making , The title “son of David” eating , drinking , dancwas a popular expression ing and crass commerof the time, referring to A. F. Nazareth cialization of the 12 days the hope that the Messiah of Christmas? Has the would be a successor of incarnational dimension king David and a military leader, who of Christmas yet to take root in our would rescue the beleaguered and hearts and transform our lives to make persecuted Israelites from their enus “ co-heirs with Christ” to live our emies. Instead , Jesus never used this lives more meaningfully, by loving , title or proclaimed himself king, even and forgiving one another and rooting though he preached that the kingdom out every form of social injustice? OR of God had arrived with his coming. , are we still ritualistic communities The first half of Zechariah’s canticle that gather every Sunday for Euchacommonly called the ristic celebrations? If we have failed in ‘Benedictus’(Luke,1: 67-75), is a wonthe past , then let us endeavour to derful prophecy of what the birth of make this Christmas the beginning of the Messiah meant for humankind, as a new incarnational spirituality, by the fulfillment of the promise made to putting Christ back into the heart and Abraham. Zechariah , who was filled spirit of Christmas, by sharing the good with the Holy Spirit knew that with the news of God’s kingdom and proclaimcoming of Mary’s child Jesus Christ , ing the Christmas message of peace , God’s plan of salvation had arrived . love , joy , hope and justice to one and Our faith is rooted and grounded in all. Merry Chrsitmas to all. this fundamental truth of the mystery of the incarnation. O
Jesus who came in poverty, not in power, .... service ...., healing, forgiving, and revealing the love of the Father
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
15
Christmas Greetings A Tradition of Goodwill
W
ith the increasing acceptance of the IT culture, communica tion has become more convenient and also cheaper, faster and greener. Yet, greeting card companies say that traditional cards are still going strong being more personal and occasion-oriented. So, the custom of sending Christmas Cards is still not a thing of the past because the old world charm and the seasonal warmth of the Card can never be easily replaced by all the facilities that modern technology introduces. Therefore, this year again millions of Christmas Cards will carry the message of peace, goodwill and harmony to people all over the world. With such widespread acceptance, Christmas Cards have become the kind of tradition that is assumed to have a centuries-old heritage. Actually the
Irwin Almeida practice began when the first Christmas Card appeared in 1843. Earlier, the season had been a simple religious occasion and then Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol’, appeared in the 1840s with its irresistible picture of Christmas with steaming plum pudding and happy family gatherings. The impact was almost immediate, setting the stage for joyous innovations – Prince Albert delighted Queen Victoria by decorating England’s first Christmas Tree in Windsor Castle. The 18th century Christmas greetings were sent through letters. The first Christmas Card was introduced in England in 1843 by John C. Horsley – a Royal Academy artist – designed at the instance of Sir Henry Cole, a colourful personality of the era, described as ‘an ardent improver of public taste.’ Actually, Sir Henry’s inspiration wasn’t entirely sentimental. Burdened with work
in his new post as first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, he was far too busy to write letters to his friends in time for Christmas, traditional at the time. So he commissioned his good friend John Calcott Horsley, a noted painter and illustrator, to create an appropriate holiday greeting. The card portrayed a family party around a festive table with a greeting below it that was destined to become the most repeated Yuletide message ever composed: “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” Sir Henry Cole sent these cards to friends and relatives in 1843, thus making it the world’s first Christmas Card. Delighted with this time-saving device, many of Cole’s friends adopted the idea the following season. In 1846, more than 1,000 of the cards were lithographed, hand-coloured and sold. By 1860, the exchange of Christmas Cards had become common practice throughout Great Britain. By 1862, it gained wide popularity, and the introduction of the penny post in England resulted in a tremendous rise in correspondence. So great was the impact that in 1887 people were requested to post early. The theme of the cards ranged from Christmas topics, Nativity scenes, the Holy Family, Santa Claus, holly, ivy, mistletoe, birds, animals and floral motifs. Much of the sentiment as well as the humour of the Victorian era was
inherited by the Christmas Cards. Gradually, the custom of sending cards spread to the Continent, and later to the U.S. Christmas Cards were introduced to America in 1875 by Louis Prang, a German migrant of outstanding ability and taste. Settled in Boston, he started a printing shop specializing in visiting cards, business advertisements and announcements. In 1872, he began printing brief Christmas sentiments on his small visiting cards and found they sold very well. Within two years Prang decided to devote all his time to Christmas greetings on enlarged postcard size and they were an immediate success. Prang, who was later known as “the father of the American Christmas Card”, was a dedicated craftsman, and an expert in what he called “chromolithography,” a process which reproduced colour so rich that it often compared to original oil paintings. In 1880, he instituted a design competition, which was later adopted in England by Raphael Tuck and in the U.S. by Hallmark cards. But this great era of Christmas art and design flourished for only a brief span, declining in 1895 with the advent of overwhelming competition of less expensive prints flooding America from Germany. Rather than lower his standards, Prang closed shop and the German monopoly of penny postcard type Christmas greetings continued until the First World War. In the 1920s, the custom of exchanging Christmas Cards finally became firmly established. Since then several variations have appeared and even important events have been highlighted.
16
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Celebrating Christmas Meaningfully 1.Christmas Greetings: Celebrating Christmas in an impersonal manner is the norm of our times. The following Christmas greetings between Blessed Diana and Blessed Jordan of Saxony the General of the Dominican Order is just a catalyst for us to re-capture the Spirit of Christmas for our Times: Paris 1229, Dear Diana, I cannot find the time to write you the long letter your love would wish for and I would so gladly send. Nonetheless I do write, I send you a very little word, the Word made little in the crib, the Word who was made flesh for us, the Word of salvation and grace, of sweetness and glory, the Word who is good and gentle, Jesus Christ and him crucified, Christ raised up on the cross, raised in praise to the Father’s right hand: to whom and in whom do you raise up your soul and find there your rest unending for ever and ever. Read over that Word in your heart, turn it over in your mind, let it be sweet as honey on your lips; ponder it, dwell on it, that it may dwell with you and in you for ever. There is another word that I send you, small and brief; my love, which will speak for me to your love in your heart and will content it. May this word too be yours, and likewise dwell with you for ever. Farewell, and pray for me, Jordan.
2.God is Agape:
God: Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.
3.Desert Wisdom:
Fr. George Olivera, OFM Cap., Mysore
After all the First Christmas was God’s Best Love Letter for our Humanity. And it is still the same for all times. Therefore Saint John’s Gospel Chapter 3: 16-17 notes: God so loved that that He gave his Only Son for our Humanity and whoever may receive him would have life everlasting. Really God has fallen in love with Humanity and it is our turn to fall in Love with Our God. Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ speaks about the dynamics of falling in Love with Our
This is just an invitation to celebrate the Christmas 2013 through the Desert Wisdom of Early times of Christianity. They were closer God and closer to each other. They really celebrated the spirit of Christmas that is God-with-Us in better Ways. These a few illustrations would be meaningful to celebrate Christmas in a prayerful and mean-
ingful way. Christmas Work and Prayer both are needed for survival! : “It was said of Abba John the Dwarf, that one day he said to his elder brother, ‘I should like to be free of all care, like the angels, who do not work, but ceaselessly offer worship to God.’ So he took off his cloak and went away into the desert. After a week he came back to his brother. When he knocked on the door, he heard his
brother say, before he opened it, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘I am John, your brother.’ But he replied, ‘John has become an angel, and henceforth he is no longer among men.’ Then the other begged him saying. ‘It is I.’ However, his brother did not let him in, but left him there in distress until morning. Then, opening the door, he said to him, ‘You are a man and you must once again work in order to eat.’ Then John made a prostration before him, saying, ‘Forgive me.’” Christmas all about non-Judgements and Well-Wishes!: “Abba Macarius was asked, ‘How should one pray?’ The old man said, ‘There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy. And if the conflict grows fiercer say, Lord, help! God knows very well what we need and shows us mercy.’” “They said of Abba Macarius the Great that he became, as it is written, a God upon earth, because, just as God protects the world, so Abba Macarius would cover the faults which he saw, as though he did not see them; and those which he heard, as though he did not hear them.” A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian and said to him,
December 23, 2013 “Abba, give me a word, that I may be saved.” So the old man said, “Go to the cemetery and insult the dead.” The brother went there, hurled insults and stones at them; then he returned and told the old man about it. The latter said to him, “Didn’t they say anything to you? He replied, “No.” The old man said, “Go back tomorrow and praise them.” So the brother went away and praised them, calling them Apostles, saints and blessed people. He returned to the old man and said to him, “I have complimented them.” And the old man said to him, “Did they not answer you?” the brother said no. the old man said to him, “You know ho you insulted them and they did not reply, and how you praised them and they did not speak; so you too if you wish to be saved must do the same and become a dead man. Like the dead, take no account of either the scorn of others or their praises, and you can be saved.” Christmas is all about coming near to God: “Amma Syncletica said: In the beginning there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near to God. But after that there is indescribable joy. It is just like building a fire: at first it is smoky and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result. Thus we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort. She also said: Those who put out to sea at first sailed with a favourable wind; then the sails spread, but later the wind becomes adverse. Then the ship is tossed by the waves and is no longer controlled by the rudder. But when in a little while there is calm, and the tempest dies down, then the ship sails on again. So it is with us, when we are driven by the spirits who are against us; we hold to the cross as our sail and so we can set a safe course. She also said: There is an asceticism which is determined by the enemy and his disciples practise it. So how are we to distinguish between the divine and royal asceticism and the demonic tyranny? Clearly through its quality of balance.”
4.Christmas Works: Christmas is all about festivity and
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 about Christmas Works. Here is an inspiration on Christmas Works by Dr. Howard Thurman: The Work of Christmas,” a poem by civil rights leader and theologian Dr. Howard Thurman, reminds us why we stand on the side of love throughout the year: When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among brothers, To make music in the heart.
5. Keeping Christmas: Here is lengthy quote of Henry Van Dyke on Keeping Christmas: There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas. Are you willing...to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness. Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas. Are you willing... to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim
17
your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open—Are you willing to do these things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas. Are you willing... to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world— stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. And if you can keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.
6. Praying to the Father: This is Lord’s Prayer in a novel Way to pray: “God, our Father, may everything we do be First Class. Imprint your own loving Zip Code upon our hearts so that we may never go astray. Provide in your gracious Providence Special Handling for those of us who are Fragile and keep us in one piece. And when our days draw to a close and we are marked ‘Return to Sender’ be there to greet us at Heaven’s door so that nobody may ever say ‘Unknown at this address.’ Amen.” This prayer version is attributed to Bishop Raymond Boland
7. A Little Christmas Prayer: To sum these reflection with a A CHRISTMAS PRAYER: “May the forgiving spirit of Him to whom we dedicate this season prevail again on earth. May hunger disappear and terrorists cease their senseless acts. May people live in freedom, worshiping as they see fit, loving others. May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved. May peace, everlasting peace, reign supreme.” Peace on Earth and Joy to People of Good Will. Merry Christmas and a Grace-filled New Year 2014
18
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
How Did Celebrating Christmas On December 25th Get Started?
M
any Roman Catholics would like to point to Pope Liberius, who in 354 A.D. decreed Christmas to be celebrated December 25th. In reality it was the Roman Emperor, Constantine who declared December 25th to be Christ's birthday in the year 336 A.D. What was his reason for this? It was based on political pressure! Many zealous church members urged the decree. Why December 25th? That day was already observed as a heathen holiday..."THE FEAST OF SATURN, BIRTHDAY OF THE UNCONQUERED SUN." This pagan feast began two weeks of festivities which included feasting, drinking, abstention from work, special musical presentations and the exchang-
December 23, 2013
Where did the name "Christmas" come from?
ing of gifts. You will remember that Constantine was the first "Christian" emperor of the Roman Empire. As a result of a vision of the cross, inscribed with "In hoc signo vinces" which in Latin means by this emblem shalt thou conquer in 312 A.D., Constantine gave full support to Christianity and proclaimed it the official religion of the Empire. It is said he even ordered his army to ride on horseback through a river to "baptize" them into Christianity. It was Constantine's desire to "Christianize" December 25th so that people would not have to lose a holiday and could honor Christ, the Light Of The World instead of the pagan god Saturn and the Sun!
It comes from the Latin "Christes Masse" of Christ's Mass. This grew out of the Roman Catholic feast day by that name in the A.D. 1 00's. "Christmas" is not found in the Bible, nor is it a prescribed scriptural holy day.
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Bethlehem- A Sp ecial place in your heart!! Special
F
or over two thousand years a con Next to Bethlehem , is the adjastant flow of pilgrims has been cent town of Beit Sahour, home to the coming to the Holyland to visit the Shepherd’s field where the Angel apsacred places where the gospel was peared to the shepherds and announced preached. With the Bible in hand, they the birth of Jesus : “ Fear not, for behold have walked in the places Jesus walked, I bring you good tidings of great joy, and prayed in the places he preached which shall be to all people. For unto and prayed. For Chrisyou is born this day in tians Israel is a place the City of David a Savlike no other. In this nariour, which is Christ the row strip of land lies the Lord” Luke 2 : 10-11. “ source of religious beand Beith Jala, where lief of much of mankind. the Church of St NichoHere amongst the barlas was built. ren hills and fertile plains Just a few minutes’ walk man’s spirit learned to from the Manger square soar, and from here a is the Chapel of the Milk new message went out Grotto, where the holy to all the world “...and family took refuge on many peoples shall their way to Egypt and Paul Sequeira come and say “ Come where Mary fed the inlet us go up to the mounfant Jesus. The tain of the Lord, to the house of the God Franciscans Fathers are in charge of of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways this Chapel. It is traditionally believed and that we may walk in His path. For out that pilgrims who consume this rock of Zion shall go forth the law and the powder will conceive. This powder is word of the Lord from Jerusalem” Isaiah given to pilgrims who have difficulty in 2 ; 3-4. conceiving a child. There are wonderful “Bethlehem” in Hebrew means testimonies of pilgrims travelled with House of Bread and Arabic means Zion Tours who have conceived after House of meat. It was originally called consuming this powder. All glory to Ephrath, is where Our Saviour Jesus God!! Christ was born in a manger more than Also in Bethlehem at a walk able 2000 years ago. Still small, Bethlehem distance from the Nativity Church lies has retained a friendly atmosphere and the International Nativity Museum, the is host to thousands of tourists each museum one of its kind in the world year where every stranger is welcome. hosts one of the richest and most valu-
19
able collections of cribs in the Holy land, a collection of over 200 Nativity representatives of different styles and dimensions. The variety of the cribs exposed originating from all around the world, creates a rhapsody of customs , liturgies and rituals from all continents and ethnic groups. But the centre stage of Bethlehem is the Nativity Church where lies the manger, the star where Jesus our Saviour was born. From the very beginnings of Christianity the grotto where Jesus was born was sacred. The first church was built over the grotto in the first half of the fourth century on the initiative of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine and his mother the Empress Helena. The octagonal altar they erected is still there. The present church was built by Justinian in 530. From the exterior it appears like a fortress. The original entrance was filled in and made low and narrow in order to protect it from the Moslem invaders and to prevent them from entering on horseback. Most of the Churches in the Holyland were destroyed during the Persian invasion of the seventh century, but apparently the Church of the Nativity was saved from desecration because of the mosaic then on the facade of the Church. This mosaic depicted the three wise men who came to pay homage to baby Jesus ( Mathew 2: 2 ) in Persian clothing. Over the centuries the Church changed hands many times and today it (Contd.. on p. 20)
20
BethlehemA Sp ecial place Special in your heart!! (Contd.. from p. 19) is shared by the Greek Orthodox, The Latins ,and the Armenians. Mid night mass on Christmas eve is broadcasted live from the Franciscan Church of St Catherine, part of the Nativity Church compound every year at Christmas. After the mid night mass baby Jesus is placed on the silver star where pilgrims can adore & worship him, this is the exact place where Jesus was born. The star has 14 points, symbolising the 14 generations. Opposite the star is the manger where they laid baby Jesus. Also at St Catherine Church there is a room where St Jerome translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to Latin On weekday mornings, Manger Square is alive with a typical oriental market attended by women from the surrounding villages wearing the traditional colourful local dress. Here one can find everything from sweet Arab cakes dripping in honey to statuettes and other artifacts carved in olive wood, mother of pearl religious objects are also made here. Why don’t you plan your visit to the Holyland in the New Year ? It is an honour to visit, the land of the Bible the land of our Faith. I have been privileged to visit the Holyland 15 times and each time I experience something new. The presence, the love, the joy of Jesus engulfs your whole body and gives you a life changing experience. . Paul Sequeira is a Holy Land Tour Operator under the name Zion Tours and Travels from Goa and had visited Holy Land several times
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Let usWelcome the New Year
C
hristians celebrate their New Year on January 1. On this day, people across all regions of India dress up colourfully and indulge in fun filled activities, such as singing, playing games, dancing, and attending parties. Night clubs, movie theatres, resorts, restaurants and amusement parks are filled with people of all ages, irrespective of caste, creed or colour. On this day, people also greet and wish each other a Happy New Year. Exchanging messages, greeting cards and gifts are part and parcel of the New Year celebration. The media covers many events which are showcased on prime channels for most of the day. People who decide Jubel to stay indoors resort to these New Year shows for entertainment and fun. The age-old tradition of planning new resolutions for the coming year is a common sight. A few of the most popular resolutions include losing weight, developing good habits, and working hard. Metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai organize live concerts, which are attended by Bollywood stars and other well-known personalities. Large crowds gather to attend such shows, while some individuals prefer to celebrate with their close friends and family members. The fun filled occasion is considered a great opportunity to get closer to the loved ones in your life and to revive contact with lost friends. The idea is to wave goodbye to the year gone-by and welcome the New Year in the hope that it will invite truckloads of happiness and joy in everyone’s life. New Year’s Day on January 1 in
the Gregorian calendar is declared as a holiday in India. Individuals can take a limited number of restricted holidays, but government offices and most businesses remain open and public transport is available. Most people are known to report late to work on January 1 on account of late night celebrations. The security is tightened in prime cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru as incidents of molestation, rapes and fights have been rising in the last few years. The arrival of foreign tourists is at its peak during New Year’s Day on January 1, especially in locations such as Goa, which is known to be a favourite tourist destination. D'Cruz The New Year signifies that the time has arrived to bid farewell to the by-gone year and to begin life on a fresh note. Traditionally, the New Year was celebrated on the first of March every year. However, this date was switched to January 1, as it is considered to have a more religious significance. With the growth of the western culture across the globe, New Year’s Day on January 1 in the Gregorian calendar has been one of India’s many celebrations. There are different opinions as to when New Year’s Day that falls on January 1 in the Gregorian calendar was first celebrated in India. Some say that it was observed when the British colonized India, while others say that its popularity bloomed only after the 1940s. It is important to note that different calendars are used among various communities in India, so the New Year is celebrated at different times of the year, based on when it is marked in these calendars.
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
The Season Of Love
We are in the season of Advent- a time when we look forward to the birth of our ‘Prince of Peace’. ‘Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus’ we pray. Yes, he comes, to give us life and life in abundance. And what do we do with this life? Often we approach it as we do a roller coaster ride forced upon us, determined to get from point A to point B but equally determined not to enjoy it. For most of us Christmas is an opportunity to : meet up with family and friends and share quality time, put to use not just our ability to make mouth watering sweets but also to create artistic and meaningful cribs, display our talent for music and singing as we go around proclaiming the coming of our Lord through carols. Yes all of the above along with our profession or vocation, even the boring household chores (that do not just disappear during this lovely season) are gifts God has given us for our delight, for us to enjoy, not just to get the job done. This Christmas I invite you dear readers to join me, in making a conscious choice to grab life with both hands and enjoy it, to live each day as if it could be our last, to make real the lyrics of the popular carol, “If everyday day would be just like Christmas what a wonderful world this would be”. In life we often find, there are some really good days and others bad enough to best be forgotten. At one time or the other, we have found ourselves in the midst of the unexpected, and have discovered that we are least prepared for it. From a sudden job promotion necessitating relocation, to the premature death of a loved one, our circumstances can change in the blink of an eye, a statement none would disagree with, I am sure. In the midst of this confusion, the tiny babe of Bethlehem comes to us with the message: Build your life on the three pillars of: Prayer, Hope and Trust; in a God that loves you endlessly till eternity!!!! The explanation is simple. The sovereign God of the universe knows our needs and has His own
plans to satisfy them. He is in tune with our troubled Today’s and our uncertain Tomorrow’s. He is never surprised and certainly never panics at the unexpected. Through the birth of His son, He assures
Mrs. Ninette D'Souza us that He will not only be there to greet us; as we venture into one new circumstance after another, but will be there holding our hand and walking with us every step of the way. No truer promise was ever made!! Every living being hungers for love (I am not limiting it to the romantic variety). We search for it in the eyes, words and deeds of the person/s closest to us. The little space within man’s heart is as great as the vast universe. The whole universe is God and God Himself is love. Hence the conclusion: that God dwells in the human heart – a symbol of passion and sentiment. We were made for love, which is an expression of affection, tenderness and caring that makes people come together. Love expressed through a hug (delicate or bearlike), a feathery brush of lips across the brow or cheek, speaks volumes and sends out many messages, the uppermost being, ‘You are dear to me’, ‘I will be there for you when you need me’. Love reads the mind of the doer, the feelings of the giver. As we willingly express love, this Christmas, let us make it a point to remember that we have a responsibility to understand others, to help another
21
with problems that seem overwhelming, to fill the void of loneliness in the other. Fidelity in little matters is the real test of our love. Most of us waste our time, energy and heart space on the non-essentials——anger, resentment, hate, temper tantrums and do not allow our good intentions to bear fruit. If we are to love fully as we were created to, we need to look into the windows of our hearts and take stock of what lies therein, of who and what we truly are. This calls for wisdom and courage to discard those things that are a hindrance to the all important work at hand-that of loving. And who better to help us and guide us in becoming persons of love, than our good God, epitome of love. A baby specialist had a standard treatment for new born infants who failed to gain weight. When he came to the baby’s chart during his rounds in the hospital, he invariably scrawled the following directions to the nurse in attendance, “This baby to be loved every 3 hours.” Truly, love is a power we can exude, to give life and to enrich those who touch our lives. A part of a poem I read, summarized this inexplicable emotion as: Love is surrender without loss, a gift without cost, a fire that fuels you, an urge that causes you to live rather than just pass through life. Allow me to leave you with a love filled Christmas season and every day thereafter along with reflection on a few facets of love. Peace is love resting, while Prayer is love keeping a tryst. Sympathy is love tenderly feeling, while Enthusiasm is love burning. Hope is love expecting, while Faithfulness is love sticking fast. Humility is love choosing the right path, while Modesty is love keeping out of sight.
22
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
And Mary Said “Yes” …… And Jesus Was Born !
A
nd Mary said YES. When the paid the price for saying YES to God; angel appeared to Mary and gave saying YES, comes with a price. her the news that she was to become the mother of Jesus, Mary was Well, it’s Christmas time once again. For startled – counting stars ?? And ques- all major events, there is always a time of tions like, ‘how can this come about?, preparation. Similarly, year after year etc. , etc., started roaming about in her there is a time of preparation for Christmind. But natural, because something mas – the period of Advent. A Time to like this does not normally happen. It prepare the way for the kingdom of God was a very strange case – Mary would on Earth. He invites us to take this conceive and give birth to a son – and opportunity to prepare our hearts. Jesus she should name Him Jesus. Further, is coming once again on this earth, with a mission – to save you and this boy was to be the me. He is coming to save the saviour of the world; whole of mankind, He is comthrough his suffering ing to establish His kingdom death and resurrection He on Earth. What is our answer was to gain salvation for ? Perhaps we did not utilize mankind. All this was too that time last year, to really much for a simple woman prepare ourselves. What like Mary, but Mary said about now ? No, no, no, I YES – she submitted to don’t mean painting the the will of God. Melville X. D'Souza house, washing the doors, windows, cabinets, fans, More than 2000 years later, we look back. God sent his son tubelights, chandeliars, etc., etc., rather, down to earth to be born as a human it is cleaning our hearts. Is it a YES being, with a mission – to save mankind. from us ? Are we preparing ourselves After Mary’s YES, it was Jesus’ YES to in the right manner for Jesus’ coming the will of God – undertaking His mis- ? – let’s think again. sion of saving mankind from sin. Was Jesus successful in His mission on earth Of course, we would be putting up cribs ? What did He achieve ? He came to be in our homes, in our ‘co-operative’ housking ? – did he establish any kingdom on ing societies, at street corners in our earth ? Did He become a king in the first localities. Maybe, we expect Jesus to place ? What did He gain by His come alive in those cribs. Do we really preachings, did he gain any followers ? think Jesus is truly present in those cribs Many of them. Did he make any en- ? Ah, in the first place, do we really think emies – you bet, He did. He shook the Jesus would want to come into those Roman Empire. He stirred the hearts of cribs ? Perhaps that is what we think and many; he gave them manna from heaven. believe. But Jesus perhaps wants to be He ate with Tax collectors & sinners, He born in our hearts. He keeps sending us healed the sick, resurrected the dead invitations time and again to let Him back to life. Apparently, he did a lot of come in. But, are we inclined to take good, then what went wrong ? Why was heed of his invitation ? What is our he whipped and made to carry the cross answer to Him ? Are we going to say on his shoulders upto Calvary ? Why did a YES to Jesus’ invitation ? he have to be crucified on the cross at Calvary ? Well, that was the price He In recent times, cosmetic manufacturing companies have been aggressively pro-
December 23, 2013
moting their skin whitening creams, through the media, bombarding their viewers/readers, making people conscious about their dark skin and exhorting them to use their whitening creams in order to become fair in their appearance. Yes, it may be true that perhaps people are more obsessed with their exterior appearance and want to look fair and beautiful – to get rid of those dark, black patches. And so, people say YES to these cosmetic companies and go about whitening those dark areas of their external self – sounds good, is it not ? BUT, we tend to forget those ‘dark, black patches’ viz., hatred, jealousy, malice, vengeance,etc. etc., inside our hearts – these are left untouched ! We need to understand that no matter how much we try to clean up ourselves from the outside by using all sorts of ‘Fairness creams’, those dark patches from the inside will come to the fore. Does is suit them to leave those dark patches untouched, or maybe, they do not know that there is also a solution for cleaning up those dark patches in their hearts. Of course, there is a solution, a cream for those internal dark patches – Let Jesus into our hearts, let Him take birth there and see the change ! Only then shall we be ‘Fair & Lovely’ both from inside & from outside. Shall we say YES to Him ? That one YES from us can change our lives – it can change our attitude towards others in the family, in our society, in our neighbourhood. With that one YES from us, we shall begin to understand the true meaning of Christmas – it can change our hearts. And then, we can truly celebrate Christmas. See the power of saying YES to Jesus – that one YES can transform the world around you ! It can fill you with the true spirit of Christmas – not just at Christmas time, BUT FOREVER !
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
2014 A Beautiful Year of Pr omises Promises of P er fection and completion Per erfection If we could understand it Thank You LORD, for the Year gone by And for the promise of 2014, To be the year ending our long wait, If we do not give in to despair And succumb to bursts of tears, But feel Your healing touch, As Your voice of mercy and justice, Comforts us saying, 'Fear not, all will be well', The New Year will be What we make of it, So let us make it prayful, Peaceful and thoughtful, Peaceful and thoughtful And beautiful by our Spirit, Let us take up the challenge Of loving those we hate, 'Just impossible without your help, LORD', And we can be assured, Of the blessing Of receiving more than we can hold. We need to remember That the LORD is with us, In every storm, So fear not, nor feel downcast, Permitting troubles to frustrate us. We shall go to Mary our Mother, Praying she hold us by our hand, As we journey Through life's challenging path. So arise from past shortcomings, With New Thinking, New Feelings, New Actions, Blessed by the LORD In 2014.
—Ella Almeida
23
24
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
About Time
S
o Time magazine has chosen Pope Francis as its person of the year. A good choice; in a cynical, hedonistic, growingly apathetic world order. Sometime in the 1960s when the Hippie, LSD and anti- Vietnam War movements were at their peak, Time Magazine had these bold words on its cover page, “GOD IS DEAD”. I was too young then, but remember my father, who was a subscriber to Time, telling me about it. So Time has turned full circle, with the acknowledgement of Pope Francis as its person of the year.
decessors in the papacy; things to which we Indians are inured. Here too, I find the Pope’s popularity higher among the lay leadership, rather than the ecclesial one, for pretty obvious reasons.
If Pope Francis is not killed or stifled I believe he will be a game changer in the Catholic Church, and by consequence, in the entire world; just as St Francis of Assisi was in the 13th century. We need many more game changers. Whether or not we agree with I suspect that Pope Francis Arvind Kejriwal’s brand of is more popular in the West politics we have to accept than in India, where he that the diminutive debutante hardly makes news. He chhotebhai David destroyed the gentle has captured the imaginagiant Goliath, Sheila Dixit. tion of the West which was feeling in- Down the line we have seen Gandhiji, creasingly isolated by the archaic brand Winston Churchill’s “naked fakir”, causof religion, spirituality, rituals and moral- ing an eclipse of the empire on which ity espoused by his two immediate pre- “the sun never set”. Like Gandhiji, Mar-
tin Luther King also irreversibly changed the colour of America, as did Nelson Mandela and Abp Desmond Tutu in Africa. Even the mighty Indira Gandhi and her draconian Emergency was felled by the Jayprakash movement. For umpteen of us comfortable couch potatoes and armchair critics, it is Time now for us to join battle and become agents of change. As we approach the New Year let us say “My TIME has come”.
Advt. T ariff Tariff
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)
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
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
25
Christmas and the God Particle The Jewish Bible relates the awesome Creation Story. “In the beginning Elohim created hashomayim (the heavens, Himel) and haaretz (the earth). And the earth was tohu vavohu (without form, and void); and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Ruach Elohim was hovering upon the face of the waters.” ‘Tohu vavohu’ describes almost 17 billion years of chaos and abysmal darkness after the Fall of the Angels. Satan’s war with God was his refusal to admit that man, formed out of dust, could be God’s Children. Plato described the demiurge or ‘God Particle’. This was interpreted by Numenius as God, along with lesser gods. ”I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” - (Psalm 82:6 KJV). The renowned British physicist Peter W.Higgs was jointly awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize for Physics, along with Francois Englert. They initiated the CERN search for the God Particle. Through the centuries, man is searching for God’s Redemption.
Denis Khan
homelessness and rejection. He Was Crucified outside the town and Was Buried in a borrowed grave.
uncertainty around us. Today, surrounded by rampant Materialism, we have replaced the Manger with ersatz malls. Still, the Christmas message shines through our darkness. ‘You number my wanderings, Put my tears into your bottle; Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8 -NKJV). Over 2100 years ago, the Archangel, Gabriel, visited the home of a simple village maiden, and greeted her, “Hail full of grace!” (Luke1:28). Gabriel wonderingly acknowledged Mary as his peer!
Every day, the daily newspapers remind us of a world plunged in strife, uncertainty and turmoil.
The Jews were the most marginalized people, crushed under the rules & taxes of the Roman Empire. They had no hope of redemption.
Like the Campa Cola residents, many of us face a dark and uncertain future on the economic and ecological fronts. Our selfish legislators unanimously increase their pay & perks, ignoring the demons of Inflation and
Mary started Jesus on the road to our Redemption, and she persevered along the way, although it was a different route, among the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. Throughout His earthly Life, He Faced
She held the mangled Body of the Christmas Babe in her arms. “Though He Was Rich, He Became poor, so that by His Poverty, you can become rich.”(2 Corinthians8:9). She believed in His Resurrection and Power. At Christmas, Christ Jesus became flesh and lived among humankind. He still lives not among us but within us. Since He is full of grace and truth, we too will be filled with grace and truth as we grow in spiritual maturity. When we understand the Word and believe in it, we begin to seek the glory of God in all of our thoughts, words and actions At Christmas , the God Who created 17 billion years of darkness into these dancing Universes of Light, Gathers our tears in a flask.(Psalm 56:8) He Invites us to cast all our ‘Tohu va Vohu’ darkness and worries into His Manger and receive our free gift of Eternal Love and Life forever.
26
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
W
inter leaves me cold. About the only thing that warms the cockles of my heart during this season , is the thought of Christmas. That‘s when the loudspeakers blare out ‘ Silent Night ‘ and keep us awake the whole night ! That‘s when people – some people more than other people- get into the spirit of things. They just can‘t keep it bottled up at Christmas time and have to share it with everyone. That‘s the spirit, they say, one of bonhomie and camaraderie and it‘s now more than at any other festive season that they feel it bubbling up and spilling over. So, like them then, don‘t keep it bottled up this Christmas. Let that fellow –feeling flow freely at least once, at this time of the year. However, if it‘s Christmas on the cards for you, then perhaps what you ought to do is send a UNICEF greeting card to that erstwhile enemy of yours who had the good sense to remove him/ herself from your orbit by emigrating to Canada, Australia or wherever. Just to show there are no hard feelings. Distance must lend more than mere enchantment - it must lend addresses, too. It must make friends of foes. So if you play your cards right, your Christmas card world will be just perfect ! Some folks get star-struck at Christmas time. Not struck by the star of Bethlehem with all its celestial implications or by the many cardboard stars around, twinkling ‘ peace on earth and goodwill to all ‘. They‘re actually starry – eyed accompanying their beloved to midnight Mass under a canopy of stars reflected in their eyes ! On the other hand ,Dad sees stars when he‘s presented with the bills – the usual present
dads get – for the womenfolk‘s party wear. Like our neighbours who had an ‘electric ‘ Christmas, last year : the little chap got the electric toy train; his sister got a new electric hair – dryer; mum got the four-door fridge she wanted and dad got the electricity bill. The sparks are still flying ….
Bernie Tellis Breaking News has it that Santa will be showing his claws this Christmas .It seems that in many places, women have invaded his domain trespassing on what used to be his exclusive preserve. Screaming ‘discrimination !’ they have instituted an Aunta Claus to keep Santa company on his forays and a vigilant eye on his over loving endeavours. With her at his heels, Santa is very likely to suffer from claustrophobia as he shimmies down the chimney. There‘s a strong possibility he may not come at all as a result ,in which case Dad will be the substitute. He should
have no trouble convincing his kids that he is indeed Santa ,and his wife that he isn‘t . You may think I‘m talking turkey – wish I could afford to – but prices have become prohibitive this year. X‘mas trees have grown smaller and X‘mas bills bigger and the turkey ,if you still insist on buying one, will gobble up your entire festive bonus. Instead, share a simple meal with someone less - fortunate than yourself .At the very least you will have the satisfaction of knowing that two can dine as cheaply as one. Remember the story of the Little Match Girl? Well, this Christmas bring a little warmth into someone‘s life with your good dishes for Christmas ! Let that someone be able to say ,as an ingenuous child did : “ I like Christmas because it gives me such a happy filling “ ! Speaking of trees, we cannot forget the Christmas Three - Mary, Joseph
December 23, 2013 and the infant Jesus. “Imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree,” said a superior young thing to the Vicar. “ Not half as bad as Christmas without THE Christmas Three ”, replied the Vicar. For indeed, where would our Christmas have been without theirs. Like the tree, we too, must provide shelter to the homeless. Our tree should bear fruit throughout the New Year and the years to come. Christmas Carols bring joy to the world in the still of the darkling night. Is it strange or is it significant that the Angels first announced the Good News to simple shepherds keeping watch over their sheep in the fields. Work is worship and these men at work were the first to hear of THE birth and to worship the Lamb of God ! They had no problem in recognizing and obeying the heavenly message ,unlike us, because they had the simple faith we seem to lack. It is good, said Dickens, to be a
27
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 child sometimes and never better than during this festive season when the whole world celebrates the Divine birth. Both children and grown-ups like nothing better than receiving gifts. ‘ I love the X‘mas tide and yet /I notice this each year I live / I always like the gifts I get / But how I love the gifts I give ! ‘ Indeed, adults come closest to being like children in their exchange of gifts. Of course, one may not always receive in the measure one gives as the gifts given may be sterling whilst those received may be plated .However ,the purpose of giving surely, is not to receive something in return. That is barter. Like children ,and more especially like new-born babes ,let us give joy ! Christmas also spells merriment – crackers, cakes and kisses under the mistletoe !Who would deny one this wholesome fun on Jesus‘ birthday ? Surely not the One who came that we
may have life and life in all its fullness .Although, too much of anything is bad . X‘mas should not mean x‘cess. Christmas is here and the poultry‘s gotten fat / and it‘s time for that collection in the old man‘s hat. / If you have no money, don‘t let it worry you /YOU ‘ll do very nicely ,instead, thank you ! It‘s the season for collections : old clothes, used goods, tired hearts , old selves. Collections in cash and kind. Time to discard the old and don the new. He gave Himself to us ,a total self-giving from the Cave to the cross. Could we give anything less than ourselves in return ?
Do you know that? Peace begins with a smile. If you judge people, you will have no time to love them. —Jubel D'Cruz
28
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Delhi Elections – Clean Sweep with a New Broom !
Much More Than Article 377 Don't you think the promptness with which the Church has reacted to the recent Supreme Court judgement reversing the Delhi High Court's four year-old decriminalization of homosexuality is both amazing and commendable? After all, all human beings have their individual rights to their personal propensities. So far so good! What is, however, puzzling is the silence of the Church in India to the late November 2013 news that made headlines in the press, viz. "Live-in relationship is neither a crime nor a sin, the Supreme Court has held while asking Parliament to frame laws for protection of women in such relationship and children born out of it." The Church's silence in the face of a virtual re-definition of 'marriage' and 'family' by the country's highest court of judicature is both astounding and deafening even as it is perplexing. Could it be that while the Church rightly condemns all discrimination against individuals with varying sex/gender orientations, it has changed its own understanding of illicit heterosexual relationships and illegitimacy of progeny that is part of live-in relationships which the court seeks to protect so zealously? One would have thought the Church is supposed to uphold staunchly the rightness of what is moral and amoral. Is the Church gamely abdicating its responsibility in the matter? COULD SOMEONE KINDLY EXPLAIN THE ANOMALY, PLEASE?
—Ladislaus L D'Souza
The recent Elections in Delhi seems to have surprised the whole nation. Arvind Kejriwal, with his Aam Aadmi Party (A.A.P.), and the “BROOM” as their symbol seems to have swept the elections – clean ? Perhaps, even Kejriwal must never have believed tht he could pull off such an act. The Aam Aadmi party have come a close second after the BJP while the Congress have been reduced to dust. Their promise of a honest and clean governance has won them a lot of goodwill. Be that as it may, the “Broom” and the splendid performance of the Aam Admi party, re-
minds me of that old saying, “A New Broom sweeps but, it is the old Broom that knows every corner !” As is evident, the Aam Aadmi party is new to politics and would need to learn the ropes of governance. They have along way to go. They need to seek out those ‘dark corners’ of Indian politics made dirty by our selfish, greedy, corrupt politicians, and clean them up – a ‘Total CLEAN UP” of the Indian political scene is necessary. We wish the Aam Aadmi party All The Very best ! —Melville X. D’Souza
The Church and the Bible on the Topic of Homosexuality Religious leaders have welcomed the SC’s judgement ( Dec11, 2013), setting aside the Delhi HC order that decriminalized homosexuality (Sec 377 of the IPC). The Archbishop of Delhi, Anil J T Coute told Times of India: “The church respects people of different orientation, but does not accept same sex marriage as it is against God’s plan.” The Bible is explicit against homosexuality which also includes lesbianism “ You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination (Leviticus
18;22). Men committed shameless acts with men and received their due penalty for their error (Romans 1:27). Do not be deceived! Fornicators, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites….none of these will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and the disobedient…for fornicators, sodomites, slave traders….and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching” (1 Timothy 1:9-10). —Dr Trevor Colaso, Bandra
Christmas Fallacies 1. It is said that a child born to parents on Christmas Day will have a fortune. 2. Snow on Christmas day means Easter will be green. 3. You will have as many happy months in the coming year, as the number of houses you eat mince pies in during Christmas time. 4. Singing Christmas carols at any time other than during the festive season is unlucky. —Jubel D’Cruz,
December 23, 2013
29
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Run For India. - Run for Unity - Run for Your Life
T
he Mega advertisement we are seeing in the news papers these days around the country, has the photograph of only a Megalomaniac, a few ghost runners and a statue. We are told that the statue will be taller than the tallest statue in the world. It appears we Indians can stand tallest, only with the dead - whether the dead like it or not. The Nation is advised that we the people need to run for unity. And while we do so collect steel from each and every village for the statue. The Government of Gujarat who has paid for this ad, seems to say, we will unite and conquer you - well the reaction- Run for Your Life. Modi is coming! How will the poor AAP counter this onslaught. They only have the kind of next door simple guy, who is
not too different from the Aam Admi he keeps talking about. You could only trace him when he is leading with a skewed cap and a Jadhoo, a few others of the type you may see on the streets, in the early morning hours sweeping our streets. He will only be able to walk the talk once you give him the required mandate, but as a token of his promise he will send you a piece of steel, a brick, a bottle of fresh water, a yard of cloth, a can of cement, a bag of grains and a packet of medicine, besides a Jadhoo. He will not take any thing forcibly from you to build any statue. His promise will be to you the people of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, that if you vote AAP into power, he will provide you in your villages, towns and slums, with whatever of the above
he could afford to finance, so that you can build for yourselves - better homes, better schools, better toilets, better hospitals, better check dams for water, better roads and grow more food for yourselves. He will more importantly give you the Swaraj, so that you can govern yourselves - you don't have to run anywhere - to get permissions or pay bribes. You just have to become a member of the AAP, choose an honest knowledgeable leader to represent you in your constituency without being entrusted with some one unknown to you from above, prepare your own Lok Sabha constituency manifesto of work to be done and vote. Kejrival will walk the talk, will you walk with him with the Jahdoo? —Eric D'Sa
FERNANDES PROPERTY SOL UTIONS SOLUTIONS FLA TS FOR SALE A T MIRA ROAD (E) FLATS AT 1BHK MIRA SAGAR, RAMDEV PARK
38,00,000
2BHK NEW SAGAR, SHANTI PARK
66,00,000
1BHK IDEAL ENCLAVE BEHIND RAMDEV PK
37,500,00
2BHK ROYAL RESIDENCY, RAMDEV PARK
55,00,000
2BHK PRATHMESH APTS, QUEEN’S PARK
58,00,000
38,00,000
2BHK VINAY RESIDENCY, VIJAY PARK
59,00,000
1BHK GREEN PARK, SHANTI PARK
44,00,000
3BHK SHANTI NAGAR, SECTOR-4
63,00,000
1BHK PLAZA VIHAR, SHANTI PARK
45,00,000
3BHK MIRA SAGAR, RAMDEV PARK
80,00,000
1BHK CHANDRESH ACADE, SILVER PARK
40,00,000
2.5 BHK KALPATARU, SHRUSTI
1BHK SHREEPATI-4, POONAM SAGAR
48,00,000
2BHK ROW HOUSE
1BHK BANEKAR ENCLAVE MIRA-BHYANDAR ROAD
2BHK GEETA NAGAR-PH 3, MIRA-BHYANDAR
WITH FRONT AND BACK OPEN PLACE
1,10,00,000 95,00,000
52,00,000
Contact : Mr. Fernandes - 9322632712 Ph : 28123473 / 28125222 A/16, SHANTI SHOPPING CENTRE, OPP. RLY. STATION, MIRA ROAD (E)
30
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
My 78
th
A
t 78 you discover that the rest of the world doesn’t accept that you are set in your ways and cannot change. Each day brings new challenges, new insights, new experiences. Your server on the Internet brings in an update which you need to understand and learn. The familiar route you always took has been made “One Way” forcing you to find a new way to your destination. You are required to fill up a KYC form and furnish your Aadhar card, an invention of the IT system, if you want a gas cylinder or need to operate your bank account. I have discovered that evolution is on-going and doesn’t stop. Nothing is ever destroyed it only changes. At Christmas we celebrate a birth. The traditional thinking is that birth leads to death — it is only a matter of time. But this Christmas I have come to the realization that death is not inevitable, it is not necessarily the end. Neither energy nor matter can be destroyed — they only change. Some centuries down the line someone will discover that matter and energy cannot be destroyed is a myth — like Copernicus and Galileo exploded the myth that the sun moved round the earth. But till then — We celebrate birthdates because once a child is conceived it lives on into eternity. Every creature has within itself the power to change. The research into the animal world is discovering how living beings have evolved over the millions of years. God didn’t make a finished product. He gave each living creature the power of Life — the ability to survive in the face of odds and the drive to adopt and adapt — thorns, claws, teeth to ward off the enemy, sight, taste and smell to locate food, skin and wool to fight the heat and the cold. Nothing remains the same — everything changes, change is the only constant in this Universe. Even the stone changes from moment to moment. The only difference between living and non-living
December 23, 2013
Christmas
... God didn’t make a finished product. He gave each living creature the power of Life — the ability to survive in the face of odds and the drive to adopt and adapt — ... Nothing remains the same — everything changes, change is the only constant in this Universe. Even the stone changes .... living beings have the power to change, .... the inanimate objects are changed by outside forces .... things is that living beings have the power to change, to survive, to grow and procreate in-built within themselves, the inanimate objects are changed by outside forces. Christmas 2013 — A realization has dawned on me. God could have redeemed the world before He put Adam and Eve in it. Instead He gave Man Free Will to choose — to choose between self and others. The Ten Commandments are all about our relations with others. Christ said, “Love thy neighbor as thyself” He knew that love of self was inbuilt in each living creature to survive, grow and procreate. But the love of
Francis Lobo others is a deliberate choice we have to make. Christ came into the world when Mankind had made the wrong choices and had degenerated into a decadent state. The culture of the times was embodied in the doctrine, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die”. This was to numb the sensibilities of those who had to die for their rulers. The Romans ruled by the sword. Christ came to change all this. The grip of death is not the last word. The Word of God is. The world is in a similar situation today. The message at a recent convention in
Goa was, “Eat, drink and be merry and sleep with whom ever you want”. Christmas 2013 has a very special significance for me. Pope Francis has been declared Man of The Year by Time Magazine. I have his name and we are roughly of the same age. Francis of Assisi, after whom the Pope has taken the name, had a love for nature, all living things add a concern for the ecology. Pope Francis has repeated this with a loud and clear call with option for the Poor. Stop spending on arms and use these resources to alleviate suffering. Stop greed, exploitation and manipulation of the economy. Everyone is a sinner, even the Pope, so don’t judge divorcees, gays, lesbians. Don’t gossip. Don’t argue. Love with an undying love. Give up pomp, show, wasteful expenditure to exhibit how important, rich and powerful you are. Don’t spend millions, if not billions, to live in palaces. Christmas 2013 —- Christ is born again in each of us to evangelize and transform the world. In India we have a critical role to play to ensure truth and justice, to eradicate poverty, to take a stand against corruption, to condemn the glorifying a life of pleasure, ostentatious living and wasteful expenditure. The election results in Delhi have shown what “Aam Admi” can do. Let Pope Francis’ call not be a cry in the wilderness.
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
31
CHRISTMAS *A Human Feast* C
hristmas is an earnest appeal to abandon everything that di vides us into hostile groups. It is an appeal to realise that the things that unite people are more important than those that divided them. It is an appeal to be convinced that we are all brothers and sisters. The human story began in a cave. The first humans who walked upon the face of the earth dwelt in caves. It is also remarkable that the story of man’s salvation also began in a cave. It began in a cave used as a stable by the hill people of Bethlehem, who still drive their cattle into such caverns and holes at night. It was here that the homeless couple, Mary and Joseph, had crept into when the doors of the crowded inns in Bethlehem were shut in their faces. And it was here, in a cold dingy cave, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born. Christmas is a commemoration of this event that has captivated the minds and hearts of millions for more than 2,000 years. Christmas, therefore, is the most human of all feasts. It was not in the capital of the empire or in the palaces of a king that Christ was born. But in an impoverished dwelling in a small town, to identify Himself with EVERY PERSON. To teach us to find God, not in the exceptional, but in the unexceptional, not only at sacred heights but also in lowly dwellings - not only in temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras, but in every human being and in everyday human life. The good news to be shared by all is that in Christ, God is here. It is the mystery of God becoming Man of God now with
us. No one however poor or forsaken, destitute or homeless, sorrowing or burdened is excluded from God’s infinite love and compassion. Because our God Himself experienced a wretched pov-
Fr. Anil Rego, Parish Priest, Mumbai erty and a cold rejection at His birth in Bethlehem. By doing this, He broke all barriers between heaven and earth and between man and man. Christmas, therefore, is an earnest appeal to abandon everything that divides us into hostile groups. It is an appeal to realize that the things that united people are more important than those that divide them. It is an appeal to be convinced that we are all brothers and sisters. The brotherhood, peace and goodwill of Christmas can come about only when we propagate the Gospel of peace, love and justice. By realising in our own lives what the Prince of Peace came to achieve. It is rightly said that all conflicts begin in the minds of people. The mind
must be at peace with itself before it can be at peace with others. At Christmas we welcome the Prince of Peace into the inner sanctuary of our minds, so that our every thought and action will be guided by him. And finally, the message of Christmas is the cry of the Babe of Bethlehem, who ‘came unto his own and his own knew him not’. It is the cry that is echoed on the lips of our children and generations to follow, pleading for a better society and a healthier world. The only requisite as the angels proclaimed is to be ‘men and women of good will’. May this goodwill spread around us this Christmas! As we light up stars, our Christmas trees and our houses this Christmas, may we also seek to light up the hearts of the troubled and forsaken, the less fortunate and the dejected. May we become channels of peace, bringing love where there is hatred and consolation where there is injury, so that this Christmas, we may not merely be sharers of peace, but architects of peace in this troubled world.
32
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
After the successful visit to Holy Land (Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Egypt) with 128 members group in May 2013, The Secular Citizen and DIVO readers are getting ready to visit Western Europe in 2014 The countries include Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Vatican, Italy, etc. The tour is organised in association with an expert tour operator
Those interested to join this group are requested to contact : The Secular Citizen / Divo 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Tel.: 022-22693578, 22654924 Creating future leaders in the community through the project:
‘Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top’ Youth are the pillars upon which a nation’s future is built. It is true that in this challenging era of globalisation, our youth must be nurtured, educated and guided towards the right path. There is a need for the youth of our community to strengthen their faith by adopting the right mindset and acquiring a wealth of knowledge. With this objectives in mind we have been conducting special youth seminars entitled ‘Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top’ since 10 years. So far over 8000 youth have participated and benefited in the 12 seminars which have been guided by expert resource persons. Guiding our youth as effective future leaders and shine in top positions within and outside the country is our dream which we want to turn it into reality, The Entire project is conducted absolutely Free for the participants. This appeal is an invitation specially for people who are concerned about our youth and their bright future to be a part of this project :
THE SECULAR CITIZEN
99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel.: 22693578, 22654924 Emails: secular@vsnl.com / secular@sezariworld.com
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Four Ways to Make Your Christmas Happy... and Holy!
You probably won’t have to look very far this year to find someone who could use a little kindness and generosity. A lonely widow, a single mother, a local inmate. Helping to make someone else’s Christmas happy is sure to make you feel great, too. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Celebrate the birth of Jesus using these tips drawn from Scripture. by Elizabeth Peale Allen, Pawling, New York Christmas is a season when, ideally, our spirits soar and our hearts expand. It’s an opportunity to celebrate– with parties, decorations, gifts, acts of love and special worship services. But, unfortunately, many of us get caught up in the rush and the pressure of the holiday season. When that happens, Christmas can seem more like a mad dash to the finish line than the reverent, expectant time it should be. Try these ideas to keep your Christmas happy and holy:
1. Discover the positive power of “no.” It’s easy to find yourself getting overextended (even with good activities!) and losing sight of your true priorities. So this year, why not be more mindful about what you commit to? Learn the art of
33
3. Wait in wonder.
saying “no” and making careful, prayerful choices when it comes to your time and energy. “Walk in wisdom… redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).
2. Make someone else merry.
www.rcmatrimonials.com for all Catholics and all Christian Communities A website to help you find that wonderful person of your dreamsl Check for .. Good Proposals, a wide choice of Brides / Grooms
We post your matrimonial details on the site for one full year Rs. 400/- only for girls/ladies and Rs. 500/- only for boys/gents For details Call: 022-26048822 or 09820800480 or 09920050073 301 Silver Ark, Convent Avenue, Sanatcruz West, Mumbai 400054
It’s hard to truly wait, to hope expectantly, when you are on the move. Advent is a time to commit to the wonder, to marvel at the coming of Christ into our world. Set aside some time to sit quietly, opening your mind and heart to this miracle. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
4. De-stress with the best book in the world. Here are some Bible verses to commit to memory and repeat whenever you begin to feel tense. • “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). • “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This Christmas, say “yes” to what’s really important to you and a polite “no” to everything else. Look for ways to show kindness to people who need it. Remind yourself and your loved ones daily of the real reason why we celebrate: Christ has come to live among us. Hallelujah!
34
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Agustinho Fernandes – A Man of integrity “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be…..” sang Andy Williams in the 1970
is a man with a mission of justice, peace and concern towards all and sundry. A firm believer in the maxim, “Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people”, Agustinho is known to never tolerate fraud of any kind. In fact, in his capacity as Founder-member of the Bombay Customs Watchdog Committee (now Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee) at the city’s international airport, he has caught redhanded, big sharks - like manufacturers of ATM machines and importers of Inverters –in the process of duping the Government of India, in effect, the people, of revenue worth crores of rupees by way of tax or duty evasion.
romantic flick ‘Love Story’. That’s what this writer would precisely want to sing in relation to the multi-faceted personality that Mr Agustinho Fernandes is! Lawrence Kamani refers to him as “one of the Goan stars shining in Mumbai”. A personal encounter with him is enough to convince you of the truth of his assertion! What gives this star its luminosity is impeccable character, the hallmark of which obviously is the glitter of discipline and etiquette combined with the never fading gloss of generosity and frankness! Tall and elegantly groomed, this is one down-to-earth person who, not merely loves to talk but scrupulously walks the talk! The life story of this enterprising 66 yearold gentleman, who was born to Marquis and Jane of Porvorim, Bardez, Goa, exactly 51 days before the fabled night of Indian Independence, can most fittingly be described as one of grit and gumption backed by a creatively daring imagination. Agustinho, an alumni of St Joseph’s School at Arpora, and St Xavier’s College, Mapuca, obtained his BSc (Hons) degree from Bombay University [BU] before heading for the city of opportunities. Almost immediately after moving to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the year 1970, the vivacious 23 year-old landed a job with one of the finest companies of the time, viz. Applied Electronics Pvt Ltd [Aplab], at Thane. Soon, with diplomas
in Business Administration and Radio Electronics [BU], his career graph at Aplab skyrocketed. Remarkably, as senior executive at Aplab, the company he credits with all that he has learnt concerning matters related to the importexport trade, his key task was to work
by Ladislaus L D’Souza out minutely every detail that goes into the manufacture of every TV set.
Integrity, thy name is Agustinho! - “The Almighty gives me tremendous power to do something for the less fortunate of our country,” says he, which clearly implies that Agustinho
Aplab had imported an instrument worth a crore of Indian Rupees under Customs Chapter 90.28 (Electronic Instruments). Says Agustinho, “The Appraiser gave me the shock of my life by brazenly demanding a bribe of INR 50,000 for clearing the consignment. Bribery being not my cup of tea, I cautioned him that my boss, Mr P.S. Deodhar, was the father of Electronics in India. He shot back saying, “Arrey! Mai toh Customska baap hoon! Samjhey?” I promptly reported the matter in detail to the higher-ups. To cut a long story short, the guy, who until then had been making a tremendous amount of money from the numerous clearing agents he was dealing with, was shunted to a place where he have no such deal-
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
ings anymore! It was not long before the issue became the talk of the town, even as it left my name shining on the Customs’ firmament!”
Man with a vision - In 1996, voluntarily retiring from Aplab, Agustinho started his own consultancy firm named Jane Marquis Import and Export. This company, registered with the Customs, handles all customs related matters, like Foreign Exchange Regulations, Project Import, Duty Drawback, Duty Refund, RBI rules, clearing of Import / Export consignments, settling Customs related public issues etc. Apart from being an active Patron-member and Director of the CHRISTIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY [CCCI] (2012-2013), Agustinho is also a member of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO)
Social
Consciousness
-
Agustinho, who maintains a tight schedule, is actively associated with several institutions, in many of which he holds key positions and plays an active role in their day-to-day affairs. There are instances when he gets calls at the dead of night demanding urgent attention in matters concerning street children, which he handles with aplomb, mindless of the risks involved! He is presently Chairman, Director and Honorary Treasurer of Crossroad Prison Ministries (CPM) which has its offices in Mumbai, Germany and the UK. When an innocent person is jailed, CPM attends to his family’s needs besides providing legal aid for the purpose of securing his release. Agustinho has been instrumental in organizing regular medical camps for prisoners, both men and women, at Yerawada in Pune and at Byculla in Mumbai as well as in spread-
ing God’s word among them in a bid to transform them into responsible citizens. This is greatly appreciated by the jail authorities. As President of Rotary Club District 3140 [2001-2002], he obtained an unprecedented special grant of US$ 5000 from World Rotary President, Frank Devlyn, for the purpose of conducting 200 “Cataract” operations free of cost for the genuinely poor and needy. The surgical procedure was carried out under his direct supervision by the noted Eye Specialist, Rotarian Dr Shivshankar N. Agarwal at Narang Ray Medical Sahayata Kendra [Agarwal Eye Hospital], Goregaon West.
35
home and that good virtues like generosity, love and concern are the moral fibre of society.
His daily prayer is: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
His daily mantra is: Your time is limited; don’t waste it living someone else’s life, fulfilling someone else’s dream, letting the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own.
His main advice for achieving in life is: Take calculated risks; never let
A Christian of firm convictions an opportunity pass you by. Have the - Agustinho is Life Member of the courage and self-confidence to turn your Bombay Catholic Sabha and of the Young Men’s Christian Association [YMCA], Mumbai and Panaji, Goa. His YMCA activities include taking care of the needs of orphans and street urchins by way of education and sports and ensuring that they are groomed into responsible, law abiding citizens. His unmatched sense of dedication, backed by an ever helpful nature, earned him the Chairmanship of the Proctor Road branch of the YMCA which has a top class swimming pool meant for the general public. By sheer hard work and determination, he was able to phenomenally raise the financial stability of the branch during the year ending 31 March 2009. Agustinho is a man who lives up to his name, friends commenting that his gracious presence at any gathering never fails to lend the ‘august’ touch with his pleasant demeanour and caring ways. A man of principles,
He believes that charity begins at
goal into reality.
A Family to be proud of! Agustinho’s wife, Theresa, a Goan, formerly a school teacher, is Managing Director of M/s Jane Marquis Import & Export. Eldest son, Steven, a PostGraduate [BU], who did his M.S. in Michigan University and PhD in Microbiology, works with John Hopkins Medical Centre, Baltimore as Research Manager. Steven and his wife, Nandita have a son named Jashwin whom Agustinho, the proud grandpa, considers a special gift from God and has decided to provide him with all his expertise to do social work when he grows up. Second son, Stanley, married to Nancy a year ago, is a Post-Graduate in Science and works as a software engineer for a reputed firm in New Jersey. Only daughter, Sparkle, a Post-Graduate, works for a reputed firm in Mumbai and sets papers for GRE and GMAT Examinations.
36
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Jesus Statue Desecrated at Vile Parle, Mumbai Would Other Communities Remain Silent on This?
The CSF Condemns Desecration. Police Must Bring Culprits to Book.
ever have not drawn any conclusion yet and requested for some time. Renni, who was at the spot pointed out that there is every possibility of fundamentalists trying to send a message to the Christian minority, who are sought to be brow-beaten. The CSF was assured by the local member of the legislative assembly (MLA), Krishna Hegde that care would be taken to ensure communal harmony. We pointed out to him that since Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a huge rally on 22nd December 2013 in Mumbai, this could be misused by communal elements trying to fan up baser instincts. The dismembered statue photographs reveal that an instrument could be used to break
T
he CSF is aghast at a Jesus statue on a heritage cross (1880s) being vandalized and we condemn its desecration. The broken remains of the Jesus statue was noticed early Sunday (15th December 13) morning around the wayside cross near Vile Parle (W), a western suburb of the city. Ashley, who lives in the near-by lane told The CSF that the manner in which the Jesus statue was targeted made one suspect that it was a willful act. He pointed out to manner in which the hands and even fingers looked seemingly cut. The police how-
the Jesus statue. According to our investigations, there is a distinct possibility that that the intention was to create communal discord and it was not the work of thieves or drug addicts. This seems to be the story put out by the police, but there is no evidence to back their version. An FIR was lodged in the Santacruz police sta-
tion and the priests, with the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church, under whose jurisdiction the cross lies, took the remains of the statue to the church in procession and then handed it over to the police. The CSF fears that in view of the general and state elections being round the corner, there will be an increase in such attacks. Hence the police need to make an arrest and clarify what exactly happened. We have called upon the police to step up vigilance and night patrol around the many crosses, as a precaution against such occurrences repeating. We will keep you briefed on the developments.
—Joseph Dias
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
37
Top Of The House — Ninety
I
n housie the next number is unpre dictable. So it is with life. Every mo ment has its surprises. As I write this piece it is pouring in the beginning of December, contrary to what the text books say about the seasons and the weather. Recently Sister Karuna Mary Braganza celebrated her 90th birthday. While the housie numbers stop at ninety, Mary has no intention of calling it a day. As she says her ninety years were filled with joy and she has no desire to put a stop to the joy flowing in and out of her. We were informed that the celebration Mass would be at the Todiwala Road Church. [The name is deceptive as unlike Goa there is no toddy anywhere nearby] It was a Malayali Mass and after two hymns we realized that Mary hadn’t changed to that extent so as to have her Mass sung in a language none of us would understand. When we finally located where the Mass was be-
Francis Lobo ing said, the sermon was already over. The preacher and others took it that our late arrival was deliberate to miss the sermon. I had always held the Braganzas in great awe. There were perfect in every way — intellectual, efficient, high integrity, able to get things done. Then I read Pearl Drego’s Life Story of Mary “The Charism of Karuna”I discovered that she was quite human and, in fact, very much like all of us despite her many achievements and the positions she held. Mary invited me to the launch of the book on her life story. I offered to write a review or something. Mary replied that she had got better people to do it. Better People? I wrote my piece anyway. In my own assessment it was not just better, it was the best. It resulted in the late Dr. Jacob Srampickal sj, Director, Interdisciplinary Centre for Social Communications, Gregorian University, Rome having a special interview
with her. When I heard that she had been awarded the Padma Shri I asked her if it was a mistake or something. In any case I said it was only a Padma Shri. She replied that I didn’t have any prizes in school or college to talk about. Once I meet her in the doctor’s waiting room with a collar around her neck. I told her that I thought that she only gave a pain in the neck to others. She replied that she gets a pain when she meets people
like me. When I introduced her to my new bride, she said that she hadn’t been told about my second marriage. I said, “I invited only a few close friends”. She said that if she knew about it she would have come anyway — invitation or no invitation. Such is the stuff Mary is made of — Nothing can stop her. With the Year of The Youth being launched she and I are on a project to use the energy of the Youth to Change the World if not the Universe. We both believe that the Universe runs on Energy and we both want to harness the boundless energy in the Youth for evangelization and transformation. We realize we have only 25 years left after that we shall both be gone. So we want to make the best use of the short time we have left We plan to use the stories, examples, philosophy and way of thinking brought out in Pearl Drego’s book “Life Story of Sister Karuna Mary Braganza — The Charism of Karuna” as the inspiration for what is possible.
Steven Crasto
Tru-Fit Auto Works Automobile Specialist in Repairs of all Kinds. (Approved by the Govt. of Maharashtra) Buying Selling Car & rent a Car, Tour & Travels, Company & Picknic, all Types of Car available. 22, Police Court Lane, Behind Bank of India, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001 Off. 4002 9914/15/16/17 * Telefax : 2262 5508* Mob: 98200 71528 E-mail: stevencrasto2112@yahoo.co.in
38
C
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
The Night An Angel Spoke
hristmas reminds us of a mi raculous event in human his tory, the incarnation of Christ, which had been predicted centuries before in the most amazing details the events surrounded the birth of Yeshua (Jesus Christ). The Prophet Isaiah said, “For there is a child born for us, a Son given to us and dominion is laid on His shoulders; and this is name they gave Him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Etrernal-Father, Prince of Peace. Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for His Royal Power, which He establishes and make secure in justice and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever.”(Isa.9:6-7). He also told us that Jesus Christ would be born of a virgin: “The Lord Himself therefore , will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel.”(Isa. 7 :14). The prophet Micah, inspired of God, even named the very village where Christ was to be born. He said, “But you, (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the One who is to rule over Israel; His origin goes back to the distant past to the days of old.”(Micah 5:2). These were glimpses passed on to God’s people through the voices of the prophets. But there came a time when faith became certain, when the prophetic became the actual. This Occurred on the on the first Christmas night nearly 2,000 years ago. One of the greatest sermons ever preached was delivered by an angel on the occasion of this historic event: “ In The countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”(Lk.2:8-11). The first Christmas worship service was conducted not in a temple, or in a Cathedral, or in a synagogue, but in the great out-of-doors. The tidings of Christ’s birth echoed in the skies. The angel of the Lord proclaimed the good
Capt. Mervin John Lobo news to lowly shepherds. The shepherds, though poor, could discern the voice from heaven above the noisy din of earth’s confusion. Strange that this glad word was not first given to the Priests or the scholars or the Pharisees. God speaks to those who are prepared in their hearts to listen, and the shepherds of Judea heard this sermon from the skies. It is significant that this message was delivered at night. It was night not only because the sun had gone down, but because the world was enshrouded in spiritual and moral gloom. It is often when things are darkest that God manifests himself. It was night in Egypt when the children of Israel were released from
the bondage of Pharaoh. It was the night that God gave David some of His sweetest Psalms. And it was night when Christ was born in Bethlehem, when the angel of the Lord made the glorious proclamation that a Savior had been born. What was the content of the sermon of the angel of the Lord on that first Christmas night? It is important that we know, for what was true about Christ then is also true in the closing days of 2013. Twenty centuries have come and gone, but “Jesus Christ {is still} the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8). Before Christ came, the world was filled with fear. The Romans feared rebellion , and their subjects feared Rome’s power. The Sadducees feared the Pharisees, and they both were suspect of the publicans. The hearts of people everywhere were filled with suspicion, fear and distrust. But Jesus can put an end to fear for all who trust in Him. “There is no need to be afraid, little flock.”(lk12:32) is a phrase typical of the teaching and preaching of Christ. The world today lives with fear. Most of us fear everything except God; it God whom we should fear most of all.
December 23, 2013 However, if we are reconciled to God through Christ, we need have no fears, for “perfect love caseth out fear.”(1Jn 4:18). The only freedom from fear is Jesus Christ. Freedom from fear is not something we muster up in our own strength; it is God given. It is courage linked with Jesus coming as a personal dispeller of fear. What is your fear? Do you fear the future with its uncertainty? Jesus Christ is the Answer to that fear. Do you fear life’s burdens which sometimes seems greater than you can bear? Jesus Christ is the Answer to that fear. Do you fear death? Jesus Christ has conquered death, and if you trust in Him, you can say with Apostle Paul, “O death, where is thy sting?”(!Cor.15:55). Yes Jesus Christ is the Answer to fear. The angel of the Lord then continued his sermon with these words: “Do not be afraid . Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.”(Lk 2:10). The news brought by the angel of the Lord on that first Christmas night was the greatest news ever to come to mankind. The tidings were good because they revealed that God not only loved the world, but that in the Person of His Son, he had come to identify with the race. The news is good for us, it shows that God’s power is greater than the power of evil, and that he is willing to share that power with us. The news is good because fear has been replaced by hope, hatred by love, greed by Unselfishness, bondage by freedom, guilt by pardon. It is good news because the world has taken on a new look. Joy replaced sadness; fellowship replaced separation; our heads are tilted up in hope rather than bowed down in despair. God has not promised us that there will be no troubles, but He has promised that He will be with us in adversity. That was the good tidings that the angel brought on that first Christmas night: the great Burden- Bearer had come into the world. Many of us are bowed down with trouble today. You can learn of Jesus today by surrendering your life to Him, and He will be with you in your trouble and sorrows.
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 But the greatest news of all is that Jesus came to save the people from their sins. Christmas cannot have its true meaning for us unless we know Jesus Christ as Savior. There is no Christmas spirit in the heart of anyone who does not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Do you know Him? The third part of the sermon by the angel of the Lord was “to all people”(Lk 2:10). Christ’s redemption isn’t for a chosen race, a select class or a particular group. It is offered to all people. There is no suggestion or implication that God has favorites of class, race or nation. The Bible indicates that to God people are divided into two classes: believers and unbelievers. John 3:16 bears that out: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The word “whosoever” embraces the whole world. “Both Jew and pagan sinned and forfeited God’ glory.”(Rm 3:23). Therefore, all need the Savior. The Scripture says: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”(Lk 2:11). That is the part of the good tidings. It is for all people. The sad thing is that even now, almost 2,000 years after His birth, many of the earth’s people have not heard the Good News and, consequently, do not know the joy of His salvation. “For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.” (Acts4:12). The last part of the angel’s sermon was the most important: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”(Lk2:11). The “you” in the angel’s sermon means you. It is for you that he left the heavenly portals, came to earth and was born and laid in a manger. It is for you that He bore the cross and was crucified on Golgotha. It is for you that He was jeered by the mob. It is for you that His Precious Blood flowed from His hands and His feet. It is for you that He said , “Father, forgive them.”(Lk 23:24). It is for you that He cried in His last earthly breath, “It is finished.”(Jn.19:30). It is for you that He
39
rose from the dead. Have you ever thought about what has happened because Christ has come to the world? Our world has felt the mighty impact of Jesus Christ. His compassion has made the world more compassionate; His healing touch has made the world more humanitarian ;His selflessness has made the world more unselfish; His sacrifice has made the world more self-effacing. Jesus Christ drew a rainbow of hope around the shoulders of men and women and gave them something to live for. If Jesus Christ had not come, this world would indeed be a hopeless and lost world. There would be no access to the True God. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through ME.”(Jn 14:6). There would be no atonement; there would be no forgiveness; there would be no Savior. Is Jesus Christ your Savior? Have you invited Him into your heart? Or is your life like congested little inn in Bethlehem- too crowded for Christ? Make this season a joyous Christmas by giving Jesus Christ his rightful place in your heart. By Going for a confession, “and so anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be behaving unworthily towards the body and blood of the Lord.” (1Cir 11:27) and receiving the Holy Eucharist worthily. The wise men brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What are you giving this Christmas? The gift He wants most is your heart, mind and soul with love. Know the real meaning of Christmas by giving your heart, mind and soul with love and your life to Christ today. On the first Christmas God gave His Son. What he wants from you is your surrender, your life. He wants you to yield yourself to Him and to dedicate your life to Him. Will you come to Him, renouncing your sins by the sacrament of confession. Receive Christ as Lord and Master and make this the first Christmas that you truly know what it means to have the Christmas spirit. Open your heart and let Christ come in. What a wonderful time of the year to decide for Him.
40
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
How Christmas Evolved This is not a cleverly googled piece on the evolution of Christmas trees, cards and Santa Claus. It is about how my own Christmases have evolved over the past 62 years of my existence. I am telling it as it was. My childhood in Kanpur was a privileged one, as was Christmas then. At the tender age of 7 I was bundled off to an elite boarding school in the hills. After 9 months of jail we headed home in the first week of December for a three-month long winter vacation. In those days, unlike today, the schools in the plains also closed at about the same time, so we had enough time to “prepare” for Christmas.
... I rode my Bullet 350 cc from Mumbai to Kanpur (1300 kms) in the bitter cold. Back then there were no mobiles, GPS systems, or even petrol pumps. It was both risky and adventurous, as my life then was...
... My saddest Christmas was 3 years ago, when a fictitious criminal case was filed against me over a property dispute. I had to go underground until I obtained a stay order from the High Court. I could not even go to church that year, and had to keep the house locked...
experience love through searching. For me it took the form of shikar. We had to have a graylag goose (a winter migrant from Siberia) for Christmas lunch. My uncle would also drive down in his Chevrolet V8 Fleetmaster to a remote village hundreds of miles away to get turkeys. I accompanied him one year. There were about a dozen turkeys in a basket chhotebhai on the carrier. When we My mother was a master stopped at a roadside tea chef, long before the term became au stall some of the bemused villagers, courant. Not just plum cake and plum who had never seen a turkey before, pudding burnt with brandy; there were wondered where we were taking so Turkish delights, lemon tarts, meringues, many vultures! In those days shikar also macaroons et al. Grandmother made meant getting bluebull meat for making the traditional Goan sweets like bebinca, hunter, a form of salt meat. There would dodol and chonechi dos. Long before also be a hind leg of pork soaked in beer the advent of glitzy malls, we had caviar, for a month and pierced with cloves, to anchovy, pate de foie gras, Gorgonzola make succulent ham. cheese and Firpos chocolates for Christmas. Dad’s contribution (he was 27 years Christmas day was always hectic, with a older than my mother) was to sit in the constant stream of visitors. We seldom sun with us kids pretending to clean the got to eat lunch, and still don’t. As I grew raisins and nuts for the cake, with a large older I discovered that my mother also quantity mysteriously disappearing made an exotic array of wines and lienroute! queurs. Sherry was the preferred wine, while Crème de Menthe, Green CharPsychologists further tell us that youth Psychologists tell us that a child experiences love through receiving; and that was my childhood experience of Christmas, valid in itself. Other than the gifts, the enduring memory is of my mother and grandmother’s culinary skills, and the “collaboration” of my father together with us 4 kids.
treuse and Drambui were the choice of liqueurs. Ironically, Dad was a teetotaler. As a teenager I gradually became aware that there was more to Christmas than feasting. From the bake I evolved to the Babe in Bethlehem with the eternal message “Peace to men of goodwill”. That is when I started making the crib, an elaborate affair with earth, grass and running water, depicting the birth of Jesus. It would take three days to construct. I took great pride in that crib, exhibiting it to all our visitors. Life changed dramatically after my father died. I was still a teenager. A year later I moved to Mumbai, as I had fallen in love with a girl, and consequently fallen out with my mother. My first salary in Mumbai, in the shadow of the Bangladesh war, was a princely Rs 100/ -. With that I bought gifts for others. I was discovering that as an adult love meant not just receiving or searching, but now it was sharing. The next Christmas my mother invited me home. That was 1972. I rode my Bullet 350 cc from Mumbai to Kanpur (1300 kms) in the bitter cold. Back then there were no mobiles, GPS
December 23, 2013 systems, or even petrol pumps. It was both risky and adventurous, as my life then was. When I reached home after two days of hard riding I was so stiff with the cold that it took me 24 hours to straighten up. It was a thrilling ride and a chilling Christmas. Life took another dramatic turn 3 years later, when I met Jesus. Till then I had been “exhibiting” him at Christmas. I was now beginning to experience him. I left home again to live for 7 years in a Christian ashram in a village outside Bareilly. The ashram had no electricity; it had mud walls and floors, asbestos sheet roofing, and wire meshing instead of windows. Winter was bitterly cold, but Christmas there set my heart on fire. At midnight we would trudge to the small chapel holding our kerosene lanterns and huddled in blankets. We experienced the stark poverty of the Manger, surrounded by straw and cattle, and the shepherds minding their flocks. Christmas was a real incarnation of the divine. Together with the local youth I would organize a Christmas tableau in the neighbouring villages. We had two petromax lanterns for arc lights, and a durrie for our stage. Under the canopy of the stars, Christmas was truly a silent night. Life then took another turn, as I had to return home to sort out family problems. I settled in like a domesticated fowl. In 1990 I was elected the National President of the All India Catholic Union, in which capacity I led a lakh-plus rally at the Boat Club lawns in Delhi, demanding equal rights for Dalit Christians. I made a clarion call that if the Govt did not concede our legitimate demands by Christmas, we would not celebrate it that year. So we had the Christmas Satyagrah, eschewing all form of celebrations, with the money thus saved going to the Dalit Christian cause. That Christmas was a fight for justice. Two years later it was the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Till then, our tenants, some of whom paid as little as Rs 7/- per month by way of rent, always came
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 together with a basket of fruit to wish us. They were a mix of Hindus and Muslims. Post Babri, they came separately! The communal divide was complete. Christmas kept evolving for me. I now began to feel that the message of peace and harmony needed to be emphasized. I got a huge star erected, with the central hexagon painted in the tricolour, with just one word – Peace – written in Hindi, Urdu and English. One year, seeing the bright lights, a cycling duo from Europe rode in, mistaking our house for a church, and seeking shelter for the night. They were treated to a Christmas repast. How could we say to them, “There is no place in the inn”? Through the Kanpur Catholic Association I now began organizing a Christmas Milan, which was an interfaith prayer for peace, with Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis and even Bahais participating. We used the occasion to confer “Shanti Sewak Samman” awards on citizens who had contributed to society. These Milans were mutually enriching. My saddest Christmas was 3 years ago, when a fictitious criminal case was filed against me over a property dispute. I had to go underground until I obtained a stay order from the High Court. I could
41
not even go to church that year, and had to keep the house locked. That Christmas reminded me of the killing of the innocents by King Herod, and the subsequent flight into Egypt. Now that most of our friends are civic or social activists, our Christmas menu has also evolved in the changed circumstances. So if you visit us this Christmas you may be served piping hot chhola bhatura and gajar halwa, as we gather around a crackling bonfire. There is something about the cold and Christmas; people are compelled to come closer together to keep warm. As my wife mischievously says, the only reason she got married was to have a warm bed in winter! Ever wondered how those poor souls in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Christmas in the heat of summer? I pity them! In life, as in love, the only thing that is constant is change, or evolution. This Christmas be a game changer. Do something different. Think out of the box. Change the parameters. You will have no regrets. Peace be to you and your dear ones at Christmas and the New Year. PEACE – SHANTI – SHALOM – AMMAN. * The writer is a Kanpur based civic activist.
PRECISION MACHINISTS Prop: Patil Machines Pvt. Ltd., Manufactures of Soap and Detergent Machinery. 36-D, Kandivali Co-op. Indl. Estate, Kandivali (West), Mumbai- 400 067. India. Tel.: +91(22) 2869 7865 / 66, 2868 3991 Fax: +91 (22) 2868 6175 www.precisionmachinists.co.in www.patilmachines.com info@patilmachines.com
42
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Message Of Christmas Tree
December 23, 2013
From Santa Claus
I
had finished the household chores and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in front of my home yesterday night. I opened the door and to my surprise, Santa was there. But instead of the Jolly Good Fellow that Santa is, I saw that Santa was solemn. He began: "TEACH THE CHILDREN!". As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children the real meaning of Christmas".
He then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point Heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward Heavenly Bliss.
them to work for peace.
He then pulled a little DOLL, a
Then he pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the
replica of himself. Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and goodwill we feel, not only during the month of December, but 24x7.
children that the star is the sign of Heavenly promises. That nothing is lost and God above is firmly in command that is the message I deliver to you to teach the children.
Santa again reached into his bag and out came a CANDLE. Teach
He then brought out a
HOLLY LEAF. Teach the
So saying he removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection, joining families, neighbours, friends and the warring people urging
Suddenly I heard the soft tinkling sound of a BELL. Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should unite mankind as one Human family.
Finally, he pulled out a big GIFT parcel, and said, God has asked me
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY
to give it to your children; they and you in turn should give to other children, more so to the poor children suffering in the December cold. Share your food, sweets, clothes, books, or money.
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the children
Santa looked pleased after he set up the Christmas tree in my home. As he departed, Santa said, now you do likewise... Become a Santa to some poor people. Spread the Warmth of Love. In serving them, you will serve the Lord, Our God, and Savior. 'We are the World, We are the People'. Protect Trees, Protect mother Earth. Happy Christmas.
Dr. Leo Rebello
the children that the candle symbolizes everlasting light of the world, and when we see this great light, we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
children that the holly plant represents immortality.
glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will."
CANE and hung it on the tree. This candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring strayed sheep back to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
that it was the angels that heralded the
December 23, 2013
I
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
A Touching Christmas Story
hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christ mas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them. I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, “Are you sure I don’t have enough money” She replied a bit impatiently, “You know that you don’t have enough money for it. The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, “It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it.” I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said “No, Santa can’t go where my sister is…I have to give the doll to my Momma to take to her”. I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said “She has gone to be with Jesus”. My Daddy says that Momma is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, “I told my Daddy to tell Momma not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store”. Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he’d had taken at the front of the store. He said “I want my Momma to take this with
her so she doesn’t ever forget me.” “I love my Momma so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me”. “But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister.” I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, “Shall we count that money one more time?” He grew excited and said “Yes, I just know it has to be enough”. So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, “Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money.” Then the boy said “I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Momma can take it with her to give to my sister.” “And he heard my prayer”. “I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Momma a white rose, but I didn’t ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Momma.” “She loves white roses so very very much”. In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the
43
little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on rather to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story. Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces. “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”
POP’S CLASSES COMPUTERS MS-OFFICE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TO COMPUTER STUDENTS SHORTHAND/TYPING SAMLL BATCHES
TEL: Mob: 9029981260
44
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Christmas Facts
1. The fir tree is better known as the Christmas tree. The tree is placed in the living room during Christmas and is decorated with bright hollies, mistletoes and other decorative items. 2. The origin of the Advent Wreath is found in the folk practices of the preChristian Germanic people who during the cold December nights of Eastern Europe gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as a sign of hope in the coming spring. By the 16th century, Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their advent of hope in Christ. From Germany, the use of the Advent Wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. 3. ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is actually a catechism song. This song was written to keep the Christian faith alive among people during the persecution of the Protestant Monarchs. The ‘true love’ represents God and the gifts, all different ideas. 4. It was St. Francis of Assisi who prepared the first crib in 1223 AD. Wanting to see how Jesus Christ was born with his own eyes, he had a stable made and some mock images of clay put in it. 5. The Mistletoe was associated in the pre-Christian world with powers of healing. It became a symbol of the healing power of Jesus Christ. 6. The holly leaves and berries from the holly bush are widely used in Christmas decorations. The sharp pointed edges of the holly leaf remind us of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore upon his brow. The red berries remind us of the blood that Jesus shed for us. 7. Australia is the only continent that celebrates Christmas in summer because December 25 falls in summer. 8. St Nicholas did not ride a reindeer while delivering gifts to children. He
Jubel D'Cruz rode a horse! Reindeers are found only in the Arctic regions and not in any other parts of the world. 9. In 1895, Ralph E. Morris, an American telephonist, invented the electric Christmas lights similar to the ones we use today. The actual strings of lights had actually been manufactured for use in telephone switchboards. Morris looked at the tiny bulbs and had the idea of using them on his Christmas tree. The lights proved safer than the traditional candles. 10. An old wives’ tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go moldy. 11. Christmas pudding was first made as a kind of soup with raisins and wine in it. 12. The poem commonly referred to as ‘The Night Before Christmas’ was originally titled ‘A Visit From St Nicholas’. Dr Clement Moore wrote the poem in the year, 1822 for his children and some guests, one of who anonymously sent the poem to a New York newspaper for publication. 13. After ‘A Christmas Carol’, Charles Dickens wrote several other Christmas stories, one each year. But none of them were as successful as the original. 14. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck. 15. At lavish Christmas parties in the Middle Ages, swans and peacocks
December 23, 2013
were sometimes stuffed and served to the guests. 16. Before settling on the name of Tiny Tim for his character in ‘A Christmas Carol’, three other alternative names were considered by Charles Dickens. They were Little Larry, Puny Pete and Small Sam. 17. California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North California in America are the top Christmas tree producing States. Oregon is the leading producer of Christmas trees. 18. Charles Dickens’ initial choice for Scourge’s statement ‘Bah Humbug’ was ‘Bah Christmas’. 19. British child artiste, Jimmy Boyd was 12 years and 11 months old when he sang the Christmas favourite, ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’. The song hit the top of the pop charts. 20. Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing – toasting neighbours to a long and healthy life. 21. Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of vitamin C. Pine nuts or pinecones are also a good source of nutrition. 22. During the ancient 12-day Christmas celebrations, the log burnt was called the ‘Yule log’. Sometimes a piece of the Yule log would be kept to kindle the fire the following winter, to ensure that good luck is carried on from year to year. The Yule log custom was handed down from the Druids. 23. Frankincense is a sweet-smelling gum resin derived from a certain Boswellia tree which at the time of Christ, grew in Arabia, India and Ethiopia. Tradition says that it was presented to the Christ Child by Balthasar, the black king from Ethiopia. The frankincense trade was at its height during the days of the Roman
December 23, 2013 Empire. At that time, this resin was considered as valuable as gems or precious metals. The Romans burned frankincense on their altars and at cremations. 24. Frumenty was a spiced porridge enjoyed by both, the rich and the poor. It is thought to be the forerunner of modern Christmas puddings. It has its origins in a Celtic legend of the harvest god Dagda, who stirred a porridge made up of all the good things of the Earth. 25. Greeks do not use Christmas trees or give presents at Christmas. A priest may throw a little cross into the village well to drive the kallikantzari (gremlin-like spirits) away. To keep them from hiding in dark, dusty corners, he goes from house to house sprinkling Holy Water. 26. Historians have traced some of the current traditions surrounding Father Christmas (Santa Claus) back to the ancient Celtic roots. Santa Claus’ elves are the modernization of the ‘Nature folk’ of the Pagan religions. His reindeers are associated with the ‘Horned God’ which was one of the Pagan deities. 27. If travelling in France during the Christmas season, it is interesting to note that different dishes and dining traditions reign in popularity in different parts of the country. In South France, for instance, a Christmas loaf is cut crosswise and is eaten only after the first part has been given to a poor person. In Brittany, buckwheat cakes and sour cream is the most popular main dish. In Alsace, a roasted goose is the preferred entrée. In Burgundy, turkey and chestnuts are favoured. In the Paris region, oysters are the favourite holiday dish, followed by a cake shaped like a Yule log. 28. In America, the traditional Christmas Eve meal consists of fried fish, lettuce and spinach. The meal is traditionally eaten after the Christmas Eve service, in commemoration of the supper eaten by Mary on the evening before Christ’s birth. 29. In Britain, eating mince pies at Christmas dates back to the 16th century.
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 It is still believed that to eat a mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas, will bring 12 happy months in the year to follow. 30. In Medieval England, Nicholas was just another saint – he had not yet been referred to as Santa Claus and he had nothing to do with Christmas. 31. In North America, children put stockings out at Christmas time. Their Dutch counterparts, however, use shoes. Dutch children set out shoes to receive gifts any time between mid-November and December 5, St Nicholas’ birthday. 32. In the Netherlands, Christmas centres on the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who is believed to arrive on a horseback carrying gifts. Before going to bed, children leave out their shoes, hoping to find them filled with sweets and toys when they awaken. 33. In the Ukraine, traditional Christmas bread called ‘kolach’ is placed in the centre of the dining table. This bread is braided into a ring, and three such rings are placed on top of the other with a candle in the centre of the top one. The three rings symbolize the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. 34. It is a British tradition that a wish made while mixing the Christmas pudding will come true only if the ingredients are stirred in a clockwise direction. 35. La Befana, a kindly witch rides a broomstick down the chimney to deliver toys into the stockings of Italian children. The legend says that La
45
Befana was sweeping her floors when the three Wise Men stopped and asked her to come to see the Baby Jesus. “No,” she said, “I am too busy.” Later, she changed her mind but it was too late. So, to this day, she goes out on Christmas Eve searching for the Holy Child, leaving gifts for him in each and every household. 36. Long before it was used as a ‘kiss encourager’ during the Christmas season, the mistletoe had long been considered to have magic powers by the Celtic and the Teutonic people. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility. Celts hung mistletoe in their homes in order to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil spirits. 37. Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin which oozes from gashes cut in the bank of a small desert tree known as the Commifera Myrrha. The myrrh hardens into tear-dropped shaped chunks and is then powdered or made into ointments or perfumes. This tree is about 5 to 15 feet tall and one foot in diameter.
HOLY CROSS
UNDERTAKER & SCULPTOR Funeral Furnishing, Coffin Supply, Marble / Granite Engraving, Band / Taped music, Hearse for Funerals, Floral Wreaths & Crosses, Exhumation, Lowering Machine, Wooden Crosses, Embalming, Cremation, Mortuary Cards, Dispatched body sent to any part of the world. Bodies Refrigerated, Advertise in “Times of India” OPEN DAY & NIGHT 24 HOURS AMBULANCE SERVICE 39/A, Chimbai Road, Near St. Andrews Church, Bandra (West), Mumbai - 400 050
Tel: 2643 9157 / 2641 4102 / 09892603393
46
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Royal Christian Family invites
BACHELORS & SPINSTERS for their forthcoming
GET-TOGETHER A grand gathering to get acquainted with boys and girls of matching age group who are in search of a suitable Life-Partner of their choice with an ultimate view to matrimony.
Gain much required important information concerning marriage
Highlights K Participants bio-data circulated at least 15 days in advance among participants. K Many choices for a Boy or Girl in his/her own age group K Marriage counselling and guidance by experts in the field. K Cordial atmosphere K Free and independent way of choice + Volunteers to assist K A well planned introduction session. K Boys-Girls of matching standard, status and education. K Games and other activities to get to know with each other. K Participants include good boys and girls K Each Get-together is limited to around 100 boys and 100 girls K Boys and girls from all over Mumbai and from other locations K Get-togethers will be held on Sundays or Holidays
Places are limited ! Book Your Seat Early !! Royal Christian Family 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Near GPO., Fort, Mumbai 400001 Tel.: 022 - 22693578, 22654924 Email: secular@vsnl.com, secular@sezariworld.com
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
May the Christmas Angel May the Christmas Angel find her way to you, and bless you with all the things, that only an angel can do? Like peace in your heart, A home filled with love, Warmth of family, Comfort from friends, Good health and good days, Smiles and happiness?
Christmas Poems
May the Christmas Angel find her way to you, And bless you a million times, A million ways? With many Happy Holidays.
One shining start One shining start to make the world bright, One infant child on that wonderful night, One little prayer for those we hold dear, To bless you at Christmas and all through the year.
Joyce Caterers For Weddings, Parties, Picnics & Other Occasions Granada Bldg., Flat No.9, Garden Rose Colony, Near Naaz Hotel, Opp. Phoenix City Market, L.B.S. Marg, Kamani, Kurla, Mumbai - 400 070 O
Email : isidore_02@rediffmail.com
Website : www.joycecaterers.com
O
Contact : Isidore Rasquinha (Babu) & Leena Rasquinha Mob.: 9892211295 / 9821284418 Tel.: 2504 2147 / 6588 3186
47
48
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Reflections On The Morning After Human Rights Day 2013
I
t was Human Rights Day once again yesterday, December 10th 2013. About 300 of us, men and women from all walks of life (representing a cross-section of society) gathered once again for our annual ritual: a ‘dharna’ (a sit-in) to highlight the growing human rights violations in our society; in order to make the general public aware that for a sizeable section of Gujarat, human rights is still a distant dream! We focused on the growing atrocities on women; of how this has become perhaps a way of proceeding in many sections of society; of how women who are poor, vulnerable and marginalized, are the most affected; of how there is hardly a whimper of protest, no candle light vigils, no 24x7 coverage when an adivasi or a dalit woman is exploited; of how these realities are just not a concern of the urban middle class; of how female foeticide is still rampant in the State. We focused on the latest ‘snoopgate’ of how the Gujarat Government machinery was used for surveillance of a young lady; of how she was followed by important police agencies without authorization; the fact that many citizens of the State are monitored apparently on a regular basis - which is a gross violation of the freedoms and rights guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution of India. We focused on the role powerful vested interests and large corporations play in Gujarat; how large chunks of land are taken away from the poor, marginalized and small farmers in the name of ‘development’ and are conveniently given away to powerful corporate houses; of how thousands of fisherfolk have been denied their livelihood because of the establishment of ports and due to other anti-people projects; of
Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ how certain vested interests and big business houses have a monopoly on much of the State resources. We focused on how the so-called ‘development model’ of the State is essentially about the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer; of how in the name of “beautification”, poor people were driven away from their homes on the banks of the River Sabarmati to the outskirts of the city; of how thousands of small entrepreneurs who sell their wares and earn their daily wages from small handcarts, will now be driven out from the ‘Teen Darwaza’ area; of how manual scavenging still blatantly exists all over the State. We focused on the adivasis and the dalits; of how they have been systematically deprived of what is rightfully theirs; of how the adivasis are co-opted and made to think that they are ‘vanvasis’; of how the ‘jal-jungle-jameen’ is no longer regarded as part of their environment and cultural upbringing; of how the dalits have not been given access to schools and even possibilities of having decent employment. We focused on the plight of the minorities in Gujarat; of how the situation of many of the victim-survivors of the Gujarat Carnage 2002, is still abominable; of how the SIT report very carefully overlooked many aspects of this carnage which needed to be investigated; of how the SIT consisted persons
handpicked by the Gujarat Government and as such the victim-survivors really have precious little hope that some of the main culprits being brought to book; of how the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Law 2003 is one of the most draconian laws of the country - which prevents a citizen from accepting another faith unless there is permission from the civil authority; of how Christians and their institutions throughout the State are constantly under investigation and intimidation. We focused on the Lokayukta of Gujarat and the way the powers of the Lokayukta have been diluted and made to serve the whims and fancies of the political masters; of how the whole process of appointing the Lokayukta was delayed for over ten years; of how corruption is institutionalized in the State making Anna Hazare to call it “the most corrupt State” in the country; of how very precious natural resources including land and water are conveniently given away to foreign investors and others at the cost of the poor of the State; of the wasteful expenditures from the State exchequer on propaganda, other gimmicks and extravaganzas. We focused on the extra-judicial killings; of how the State and its officials spare no one that challenge them; of how several minority youth were killed in “encounters”; of how Haren Pandya was killed because he was inconvenient to the powers that are; of how Amit Jethawa, an RTI activist was done away with by the powerful mining lobby because he took them on; of how human rights defenders are framed with false charges. We focused on the pollution all over the State; the fact that there are no checks and balances to control
December 23, 2013 polluting industries; of how they eject their effluence into the rivers and pollute the air; of how dangerous and hazardous industries do not minimum safeguards for their workers. We focused on how millions of the people of the State do not have access to basic amenities of life like clean drinking water, primary healthcare, and quality education; of how in our mega cities – the dying and destitute on our streets are growing in numbers; of how millions really do not have the possibility to eat a full square meal a day; the fact that bonded labour and even child labour flourish in the State. Yes, we focused on this and on much more; but the fact remains that on Human Rights Day, we had to bring to the attention of everyone, everywhere that human rights are being violated an unbelievable levels in the State of Gujarat. So, on the morning after Human Rights Day 2013, we once again pledge to continue our struggle to help realise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its vision of “human rights for all!” (* Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is the Director of PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
With Best Compliments from
49
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Impor tance Of Christmas Importance
T
he "Greatest Gift" of Christ mas is Christ. Matthew 1:21 tells US why -- "...call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Again in Matthew 1:23 we find that he was to be called EMMANUEL, which means "God with us." Christ was born of the Virgin Mary as God in human form to save us from the guilt, penalty, power and ultimately the presence of sin. This is why the Apostle Paul referred to Christ as the "Unspeakable Gift" in 2 Corinthians 9:15. Even the Apostle John tells us why Christ came ". . .the Father sent the Son (Christ) to be the Savior of the world (mankind) . . for God so loved the world (mankind),that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I John 4: 14 and John 3:16. Dr. Luke wrote "For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:1 1. Christ is the ONLY Savior! Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Wish You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014 ANTONY D’SILVA PROPRIETOR 9820457805 Tel: (O) 2265 6223 9833129815
Mr. T. D’Souza Barkur
King’s Marble & Gar nite Garnite MARBLE GRANITE, MARBLE TILES & ALL TYPES STONE SUPPLIERS.
Gala No. 3, Chhabra Compound, Behind Udyog Bhavan, Buisroyce Colony Rd., Vakola Bridge, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400055 Email : kingsmar@bol.net.in Tel.: 26685283 Resi.: 26682291 Mob.: 9833918631
Antony Electricals LICENCED
ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS
&
ENGINEERS
SPECIALIST IN : ALL KINDS OF WIRING JOBS, MAINTENANCE RE-WIRING, REPAIRS OF ALL ELECTRONIC ITEMS
SHOP : Raja Bahadur Mansion 11, Homi Modi Street, Mumbai - 400 023. EDWIN PINTO: 98203 82060 SADANANDA: 98204 49290 Site Supervisors Residence : Hareshwar Paradise, B-403, 4th Floor, Kanderpada, Dahisar (W), Mumbai - 400 068. Email : antonyelectricals@gmail.com
50
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Bone Marrow Donation The Gift of Life
Dr Nalini Ambady, a renowned blood cells per day which in turn transStanford professor and social psycholo- mit nutrients and oxygen throughout the gist, recently expired after a long battle body. It also plays a key part in producwith leukaemia. Suffice it to say that it ing the lymphocytes that support the was some thirteen potential bone mar- body’s immune system. It is estimated that around 2 lakh row donors who virtually passed a death Indians suffer from various fatal blood sentence on her when they each got disorders such as Aplastic Anaemia, cold feet at the last modrug resistant Chronic Myment and refused to uneloid Leukaemia, Lymdergo the procedure for phoma, Thalassemia and donating part of their bone Congenital Immunodefimarrow stem cells. ciency. Many of these One often reads arcould be given a new lease ticles about the crying of life by means of a medineed for organ donations cal procedure called Bone such as the eyes, liver, Marrow Stem Cell Transkidneys and lungs. Howplantation [BMSCT]. The ever, the need for bone by Monica Fernandes recipient’s own marrow is marrow stem cell donafirst killed with drugs or tions is generally overradiation, and then the new stem cells looked. are introduced. Risk of infection is very high and the patient must needs be What is ‘bone marrow’? confined to a sterile environment. Bone marrow essentially constitutes barely 4% of the total body mass of Acute scarcity humans. Yet it is a very essential part of Unlike in the case of blood donathe human system. It is the flexible tistion, which is relatively commonplace, sue found in the interior of bones and various factors need to be taken into produces approximately 500 billion
consideration when it comes to BMSCT. Incidentally, hardly 30% of the patients are able to get a matching donor from within the family, the rest having to depend on unrelated donors. Both the donor and the recipient should have a matching set of genetic markers known as Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) on their white blood cells. The chances of finding a donor are much better within the same ethnic group. That’s where the Marrow Donor Registry (India) [MDRI] comes in. The brainchild of the eminent haematologist, Dr Sunil Parekh, the MDRI functions from the Department of Transfusion, Tata Memorial Hospital and can be contacted on Tel. [022] 65152695, Mob. [0] 9223586076, E-mail: info@mdrindia.org
Life-saving imperative His father’s words urging him to devote his life to saving the lives of others were an impetus to this 75 yearold doctor to work indefatigably 7 days a week towards fulfilling the MDRI’s aim to give a new lease of life to the 70% of patients whose lives are in jeopardy because they cannot get a matching
donor within their families. Who can assist MDRI and how? MDRI appeals to healthy people between the ages of 18 to 50 to register themselves as stem cell donors. The registration process involves filling a form which is available on the MRDI website www.mdrindia.org and at various hospitals/clinics in Mumbai, details of which are available at the MDRI website.
Bone marrow cell harvesting – the need of the hour A blood sample taken post registration is checked for the HLA markers and records are accordingly maintained. The donor is neither charged for testing nor paid for his voluntary act of charity. He/she is contacted as and when the need for bone marrow harvesting arises. Bone marrow cells are harvested from the peripheral blood of the donor through a procedure called apheresis. The donor is injected daily with Filgrastim for 5 days before collection in order to increase the number of blood forming cells. His/her blood is removed through a needle in one arm and then goes through a machine that separates the blood forming cells. The remaining blood is given back to the donor through the other arm. The side effects of Filgrastim such as headaches, bone or muscle aches disappear after the donation. The donor’s body regenerates his/ her blood cells within a few days. A counsellor educates the donor and allays all of his/her fears. As one enters Dr Sunil Parekh’s clinic at Opera House one is greeted by several catchy slogans on MDRI like: “Donate a Life”, “Give someone a Tomorrow – Pledge your Marrow Today”, “Give Blood, Give Life”, “It’s Time to save a life … It’s Time to Act. Register now.”
When ignorance is not bliss The biggest obstacle to bone marrow donation is ignorance. Many are afraid that their lives will be shortened or
51
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013 that they will become weak. Sometimes young men or women who have agreed to donate develop cold feet at the last moment when a parent intervenes and prohibits them from doing so. An interesting article in the Times of India likens organ and blood donation to sharing – sharing between those who have and those who don’t. It further clarifies that such type of donation is ‘sadqa jariyah’ or continuous charity. There are young people out there who need this act of charity. Suresh, the sole breadwinner of his family, attends college during the day and works at night. He has been diagnosed with Kahler’s disease. Arun is only 10 years old and has aplastic anaemia. Ashish Poddar is a young married man suffering from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Says he, “You may be the miracle donor ….” Are we listening? Monica Fernandes is a freelance writer for whom writing is a satisfying hobby. She has written for several years for various magazines such as Woman’s Era, Harmony, Alive, The Teenager, The Examiner and Together. She has authored a book for teenagers entitled Towards a Fuller Life published by Better Yourself Books. She lives in Mumbai and assists her husband, Nelson, in running an export business.
Wishing all our Customers a Merry X’Mas & Happy New Year- 2014 With Best Compliments From:
Vincent Fernandes & Family
Modern Lunch Home Rustom Sidhwa Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001, Tel: 22701435 / 22641646 Time: 11 A.M. To 12 P.M.
Christmas Riddles 1. What did Adam say to Eve on December 24th? 2. How do you make an idiot laugh on Boxing Day? 3. Beside Christmas, what does December have that no other month has? 4. What’s at the end of Christmas? 5. What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas? 6. Why did the little girl change her mind about buying her grandmother a packet of handkerchiefs for Christmas? 7. What do you call Santa when he has no money? 8. What did the buck say to the doe on Christmas Day? 9. What did one Christmas tree say to the other Christmas tree? 10. What did Santa say when his toys misbehaved? 11. What did Santa shout to his toys on Christmas Eve? 12. Why did Santa Claus take his Christmas tree to the dentist? 13. Why did Santa Claus spell Christmas as ‘N-O-E’? 14. Why did the Christmas cookie go to the doctor?
— Jubel D'Cruz, Dombivili ANSWERS It’s Christmas Eve. Tell him a joke on Christmas Eve. The letter ‘D’. The letter ‘S’. Thanks; I’ll never part with this. Because she could not work out what size her grandmother’s nose was. Saint Nickel-less. Merry Christmas, Dear! I really go fir you. Toys will be toys. Okay everyone, sack time. To get a root canal. Because the angel had said, ‘No L’. Because it was feeling crummy.
December 23, 2013
52
T
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Who is St. Nicholas?
he story of Santa Claus begins with St. Nicholas, who was born during the third century A.D. in the village of Patara. At that time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents died in an epidemic while he was still a young boy. Hence obeying Jesus’ words to sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering. He dedicated his whole life in serving God and was made a bishop while he was in his early twenties. He became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Under the Roman Emperor who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. He died on December 6, 343 A.D. in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique liquid formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. Hence the anniversary of his death became a day of celebration. Throughout the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas’ life and deeds. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days, a young woman’s father had to offer prospective husbands, something of value; the larger the dowry, the bet Jubel ter the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to get married. The poor man’s daughters without dowries were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag appeared in their home providing the needed dowries. The bags
of gold tossed through an open window are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes eagerly awaiting gifts from St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, as he is known today. One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The local people of D'Cruz Myra were celebrating the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church to take away as booty. As they were leaving the place, they snatched a young boy named Basilio to make him into a slave. The ruler of the country selected him to be his personal
cupbearer. Basilio waited on the king bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. Basilio’s parents were devastated at the loss of their only child. But they did not give up hope. They knew that God would bring back their son one day. As the next St. Nicholas’ feast day approached, Basilio’s parents did not join in the celebrations. However, they had a simple observance at home. Meanwhile, as Basilio was fulfilling his tasks by serving the ruler, he was suddenly whisked away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra . Imagine the joy when Basilio amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king’s golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children. Another legend tells of three theological students travelling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Nicholas travelling along the same route, stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamt of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As he prayed earnestly to God, the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is told of three small children wandering in their play until lost, lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is the patron and protector of children. Several stories are told of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, he sought the holy by making a tour of the Holy Land. There as he walked as Jesus walked, he sought more deep experience of Jesus’ life, passion, death and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified soldiers were amazed when the wind and the waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers. Other stories are also told of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and many more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death, he was canonized as a saint. Today, he is in the east as wonder or miracle worker, and in the west as patron of a great variety of people – children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, labourers, travellers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murders. He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. Nicholas’ tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region,
some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice had vied to get the remains of Nicholas. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas’ and many faithful journeyed to honour the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas’ feast day on December 6th has kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed up as bishops’ begged for alms for the poor. In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is said that St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-
giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in many parts of Europe. On the night of December 5th, Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift giving early in the month helps preserve a Christmas day focus on the child Jesus. In China, he is known as Father Christmas. In France, Germany and Spain, he is known as Pere Noel. In Japan, he is called Santa Clause or ‘Santa no ojisan’, which means ‘Uncle Santa’. In Sweden, he is known as Jultomten. In the Netherlands, he is called Kerstman. In Finland, he is called Joulupukki. In Denmark, he is called Sinster Klass. In Russia, he is called Grandfather Frost. In Egypt, he is called Papa Noel. In Denmark, he is called Julemanden. In Malta, he is called San Niklaw. In Norway, he is called Julenissen, which means Christmas gnome. And in Turkey, he is called Noel Baba.
Now Invest / Book in Your affordable Budgets All APPROVED PROJESTS All are Under Constructions Projects And Full Cheque Payment
AT NAIGAON (EAST): 1 BHK -22 Lakhs Onwards 2 BHK - 32 Lakhs Onwards Pay just 20% = ` 4, 40,000/AT VIRAR (WEST): GLOBLE CITY 1 BHK 27 Lakhs Onwards 2 BHK 36 Lakhs Onwards Pay just 20% = ` 5, 50,000/-
53
AT VASAI : 1 BHK - 23 Lakhs Onwards 2 BHK - 32.50 Lakhs Onwards
AT MIRA ROAD: @ ` 6300/- Area 650 sqft ` 6651/- Area 685 sqft
AND ALSO AT MIRA ROAD READY & RESALE FLATS: 1 BHK 35 Lakhs Onwards 2 BHK 52 Lakhs Onwards Rental: 1 BHK- ` 7,500/- & 2 BHK- ` 10,000/- Onwards
Contact For : Sale & Purchase, and Rental of Flats, Shops, and Row House.
Noronha Estate Agency
Contact: 9869072936 / 8692999334 / 9920109501 Shop No. 15, Shram Saphlaya, Sheetal Nagar, Mira Road (East)
54
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Christmas Celebration in Mumbai Churches
M
umbai is a great place to spend Christmas if you're looking for a traditional celebration, as there's a vibrant Catholic community and churches all over the city. Many masses actually finish up before midnight in Mumbai, due to noise restrictions!
Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba The opulent Holy Name Cathedral was built to replace the older one in nearby Bhuleshwar, and is decorated with an array of artwork. It opened its doors for worship in 1905. A full ceremonial Christmas mass is held for around 3,000 people and it's broadcast live all over the state. The Cathedral Choir starts singing carols at 9.30 p.m., and the mass gets underway at 10 p.m. and finishes around 11.30 p.m. Earlier during the time of His Eminence Valerian Cardinal Gracias, the Christmas Mass used to be held at Cooprage Ground.
Saint Thomas's Cathedral, Fort This towering white church, renowned for its award winning stained glass work, was the first Anglican one in Mumbai. It opened its doors on Christmas Day, 1718, for the benefit of the Britishers. Carol singing is followed by mass.
Gloria Church, Byculla Built in Gothic style along the design of Canterbury Cathedral in England, Gloria Church dates back to 1572. However, it
was shifted to its current location in 1910. Construction was finished in 1913. The four towers are amongst the tallest church towers in Mumbai and the windows here also have beautiful stained glass. Singing starts before the mass at midnight.
Saint Michael's Church, Mahim Saint Michael's is one of the oldest Catholic churches in India. Although its present building was constructed in 1973, the church is believed to have been formed way back in the 16th century. The Christmas mass is hugely popular here earlier times, try to visit on Wednesdays when the Novena takes place.
Mount Mary's Basilica, Bandra Mount Mary's holds the most popular midnight mass in Bandra. As the name suggests, the church sits atop a small hill overlooking the ocean, close to Bandra Bandstand. Its current building is around 100 years old, although its statue of the mother Mary dates back to the 16th century.
Saint Peter's Church, Bandra Saint Peter's, a Jesuit Catholic church, holds another very popular Christmas mass. It's a charming church, built in Romanesque style, with ornate interiors.
Saint Andrew's Church, Bandra
Quaint Saint Andrew's Church has a distinctive Portuguese-style facade, incorporating two bell towers. It's a quieter option for those who can't get seats at Saint Mary's or Saint Peter's, or for those who prefer it that way. Built near the sea shore in 1575, it was the first church in Bandra until 1620.
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Borivali For those in the outer suburbs of Mumbai at Christmas, another of Mumbai's old churches, the The Lady of Immaculate Conception, holds an extremely popular Christmas mass on its grounds. The attendance has grown to 12,000 people in recent years!
Churches were huge crowds are found during Christmas Midnight Mass Our Lady of Lourdes, Malad St. Joseph Church, Mira Road St. Anthony's Church, Vakola St. Blaise Church, Amboli Sacred Heart Church, Mahakali Holy Family Church, Chakala Our Lady of Egypt, Kalina Holy Cross Church, Kurla St. John the Baptist, Thane
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
55
The Tradition of Midnight Mass Throughout the years, Midnight Mass has been a popular Christmas Mass choice for many Catholics. But how did the tradition of this Mass begin?
I
n the early history of the Church, vigils were held before every feast for the purpose of preparing for the feast itself. Mass would be held in the evening, followed by a period of prayer and contemplation. Solemn services were then held the next morning. As more feasts arose, the number of vigils kept was decreased. In the current Roman Calendar, there are six Masses designated as vigils to proceed the feasts the next day: vigils for Easter, Christmas, Pentecost, Ascension, Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul. Vigil Masses are so designated because their propers and readings differ from the Masses for those feasts themselves, while remaining tied to the feasts. Vigil Masses therefore differ from normal anticipated Masses, which are the same as the Mass taking place the next day, but held the preceding evening. The vigil Mass for Christmas, held Christmas Eve, also differs from the Christmas Midnight Mass. Christmas Day actually has three separate Masses that are or can be held, in addition to the vigil – at midnight, at dawn, and during the day. It is not known exactly how the tradition of the three Masses originated, as even the origin of the feast of Christmas itself isn't certain – depending on the city, something resembling a Christmas celebration started in different years (and at varying times of the year, as well). By the end of the fourth century it was almost universally held on December 25, with Rome having started celebrating it on that date before 354, and Constantinople not before 379. The celebration of Epiphany on January 6 had previously been the major Christmaslike celebration, but once December 25 became the widely agreed-upon date of Christmas the celebrations moved to
Traditional Midnight Mass Celebrated In Bethlehem (Fuad Twal) that date as well. In the 380s, a Christian woman named Egeria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, observing for three years and keeping a journal of the customs and liturgies she saw there. She witnessed the Christians celebrating the birth of Christ on January 6, since it appears the tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 25 had not yet begun there, beginning with a midnight vigil in Bethlehem, which was followed by a torchlight procession to Jerusalem culminating with a gathering in Jerusalem at dawn. When the basilica of St. Mary Major was built in Rome around 430, Pope Sixtus III included a replica chapel of the Bethlehem cave where Jesus was born, and much like had been the practice in Jerusalem when Egeria visited, he instituted the celebration of a midnight Mass in this chapel. Why Do Catholics Eat Fish on Friday?Around 550 AD, the Pope began
to celebrate a Mass in the Church of St. Anastasia before dawn on Christmas Day, initially because the feast of St. Anastasia was celebrated on December 25. Eventually, though, this evolved into a second Christmas Mass that seemed to replicate the dawn celebrations that Egeria witnessed in Jerusalem. This Christmas Mass would be followed by the Pope going to St. Peter's to celebrate the dawn office of Christmas with the faithful. Until sometime before 1156, only Popes were allowed to celebrate the three Christmas Masses, but by 1156 there is evidence that priests began to say all three as well, which still occurs today. A single priest can celebrate all three Christmas Day Masses, provided they follow the correct times (midnight, dawn, and sometime during the day). The midnight Mass is different from Christmas vigil Masses held earlier in the evening of Christmas Eve. Any of the four types of Christmas Masses (vigil, midnight, dawn, or day) is valid for fulfilling the Christmas Mass obligation.
56
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Catholic Bachelor, aged 57 years, Ht. 5' 7", Wt. 69 Kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com, Well Settled, Business Investments, Own Apartment Mumbai, House in Goa, seeks lady upto 50 years Spinster / Annulled / Widowed (No Kids). Contact: Email: gerryc1956@gmail.com OR Call : 9820636316 MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 34 years, Ht. 6’, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. BDS (Mum), Doctor by profession. Seeks a good looking, below 29 years Mangalorean girl. Contact email :job314mi4@ gmail.com OR 9920059033. (Regd. No. 6008) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Divorcee, age 31 years, Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 82 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. HSC., working as a Cargo handling assistant in Airline in Dubai. Contact email : julmich_2001@ yahoo.co.in OR 9819452164 (Regd. No. 5957) MUMBAI : Karware Goan RC Bachelor, age 38 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 54 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 10th Std., working on Rigs as a Cruise Member. Contact Mob. 8879137735 (Regd. No. 5952) MUMBAI : Parents of Goan RC Bachelor, DOB 1974, 5’ 9”, P.hD (U.S.A.), working in US, seeks alliance from R.C. spinster. Send details and recent full size photograph to :
dfr472121@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5950) MUMBAI : Goan RC Bachelor, age 39 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XII Std., Working as a Gen. Steward in Ship. Seeks a Goan girl below 32 years. Contact email : fatima16jones@gmail.com OR 26671289 / 9969488673 (Regd. No. 5949) MUMBAI : Goan RC Bachelor, aged 31 years, Ht. 5’, 4”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complexion,Edn. PGDBM working as a Sr. Manager in MNC in Mumbai. Well settled, having own accommodation, looking for a suitable match. Contact email : lewellyndias@gmail.com OR 9820467452 (Regd. No. 5759) MUMBAI : Goan RC Divorcee, aged 37 years, Ht. 5’ 11”, +Wt. 64 kgs, Fair Complexion,Edn. B.Com., working as a Operation Manager Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email: itsme_andrewfernandes@rediffmail.com OR 9820538191 (Regd. No. 5757) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Bachelor, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 8’, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 10th std., working abroad as a Technican. Contacat : 25945356 (Regd. No.5708) MUMBAI : Goan RC Bachelor, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Fair Complexion,Edn. MBA, working as a Manager. Seeks a suitable girl. Contact : Email: savioim40@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5763) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Bachelor, aged 44 years, handsome, looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’, 6”, Wt. 69 kgs, Fair Complexion,Edn. HSC, having own business in SPAIN, having resident permit, Email: sunil_746@yahoo.com OR 9769584532. (Regd. No. 5767) MUMBAI : Goan RC Bachelor, aged 40
Members are requested to inform us when they are settled, so that publication of their details can be discontinued.
years, Ht. 5’ 5”, slim, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC, Diploma in Electrician. Seeks a simple, homely, godfearing girl. Contact Email: melroydias@ gmail.com OR 8805921284 (Regd. No. 5777) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 35 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 64 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Sc. (Geology), working as a GIS Analyst. Seeks a simple, honest, Mangalorean girl. Contact : Email : gdsouza24@ gmail.com OR 9821253675 (Regd. No. 5779) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, slim, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. SY B.Com., diploma in Graphic Desiging, worming as an EA to MD, in Pharma company. Seeks a like minded, simple and understanding person. Contact Email: francaz@rediffmail.com OR 9821080906 / 9004501884 (Regd. No. 5780) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 95 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. SSC., working as a Seamen. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : philomenaclive@ hotmail.com OR 9821405106 (Regd. No. 5789) POONA : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 36 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 73 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Com., MBA (Finance), working as a Sr. A/c. Executive, Seeks a simple. homely, graduate Mangalorean girl. Contact Emnail:sunilsaldanha1976@ gmail.com (Regd. No. 5782) 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
December 23, 2013
57
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan R.C. Spinster, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 65 kgs, Fair Complexion, B.Com., working as a SME, Seeks sober, well settled bachelor. Contact : email : megna.fernandes@gmail.com OR 9820264984 (Regd. No. 6007) NAVIMUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 65 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.Sc. (Mathematics), B.Ed., Lecturer by profession. Contact email : valerian.sequeira@basf.com OR 9833970405 (Regd. No. 5976) KOLHAPUR : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 52 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA (HR), MBA (System), Lecturer by profession. Seeks a well educated with good family background. Contact email : srm13_serin@yahoo.com OR 9226088408 / 9226944426 (Regd. No. 5991) QATAR : R.C. Spinster, age 27, Ht. 5’ 6”, MBA, working in Qatar for an Oil Company along with her family, seeks alliance from tall, well educated bachelors (working on ship or abroad-Engineers), having strong catholic values. She is visiting Mumbai in December. Contact immediately to fix a meeting. Please respond to email: vanspereira25@gmail.com OR 97466756066 (Regd. No. 5990) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 54 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.A., working as a Financial Analyst in MNC. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : natasha_serrao19@yahoo.com OR 9619522154 / 9969114346 (Regd. No. 5988) Poona : Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 55 kgs,
Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner
Serving Since 32 Years
Fair Complexion, Beautiful, Edn. B.A., B.Ed., PG D.P.M. working as a HR Executive. Contact email : pravdoll@gmail.com OR 9765411451 / 9881201988 (Regd. No. 5987) HARYANA : Goan Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, working as a Sr. HR Consultant. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : d.dsouza@metso.com OR 9899501960 (Regd. No. 5986) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 156 cms., Wt. 56 kgs, Fair Complexion, beautiful, Edn. T.Y.B.A., working a Cabin-Crew. Contact Email : elviraalfonso91@gmail.com OR Mob.: 9320385208 (Regd. No. 5967) DUBAI : Roman Catholic 26 years, graduate working in UAE, Seeks alliance from Roman Catholic based in UAE. Email details to : joypeace62@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5955) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 38 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. 7th Std., working as a Tel. Operator. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : cynthiacolasco@rocketmail.com OR 7738181127 (Regd. No. 5954) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 54 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. MA (Sociology), working as an Asst. Manager Recruitment. Good looking, smart. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : jacintajabbal@gmail.com / ppereira@deloitte.com OR 9022929041 / 9167514382 (Regd. No. 5953) MUMBAI : Mangalorean + Keralite parents invites alliance for their daughter 33 years, 5’ 3”, MBA (Finance) working as a Junior Manager in a Bank, Marriage annulled from qualified and suitable groom age upto 38yrs. Contact email: pamelav88@ yahoo.com OR 09966843108 (Regd. No. 5951) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 26 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com.,
MBA, CAIIB, Working as a Asst. Manager. Contact Email : lily.valder@gmail.com OR 9820791410 (Regd. No. 5948) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 50 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MA, B.Ed., Advtg. dip., Lecturer by profession. Contact email : geraldineferns@gmail.com OR 9833804332 (Regd. No. 5947) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 31 years, Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as an Executive Admin & Finance. Seeks a well settled bachelor. Contact email : vvndsouza@gmail.com OR 23826915 (Regd. No. 5946) MUMBAI : East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster aged 31 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, good looking, Edn. B. Com., working ad as Deputy Manager, Seeks a suitable match. Contact email: candita.patel@gmail.com or 28950832 (Regd. No. 5945) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic parents seek alliance for their daughter 28 years, 5’ 4’, fair good looking smart Chartered Accountant working for a reputed company in Mumbai from well settled Professionally Qualified CA or MBA or Engineers RC bachelors below 33 years good family background and values preferably from Mumbai. We would appreciate if your response includes a full-length latest photo, contact number, relevant personal and family details. Email : gjl1505@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5944) Address your replies to :
Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.
Please renew your membership at lease a month in advance before its expiration date.
58
T
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
' Artaban-The Fourth Magi'
his is an addition and expansion of the Biblical Magi in Matthew's New Testament Gospel about a fourth wise man-there were three traditional Magi - a Magi priest called Artaban a Persian Mede who sees heavenly signs from planets and stars is led to proclaim and predict a King's birth among Jews or the birth of the Kings of Kings. Artaban lived in Ecbatana city among the Persian mountains - his house near the outer city walls encircling the royal treasury and from his roof could see the seven-fold battlements of black and white and crimson and blue and red and silver and gold to the hill where the Parthian emperors' summer palace glittered like a jewel in the crown and around his house was a fair garden, a tangle of flowers and fruit trees watered by many streams from Mount Orontes' slopes and made musical by many birds. Artaban lived when Augustus Caeser was master of many kings and Herod reigned Jerusalem. He sold his house and possessions and purchased a sapphire blue like a night sky fragment, a flawless ruby redder than a sunshine ray and a lustrous pearl-pure a snow mountain peak at twilight of great price as a tribute to the King-thus resembling the treasures the Magi gifted to the King Artaban stops along the way to help a dying man making late to meet with the Magi's caravan- he had seen the dying man after weeks of difficult and frustrating travel and he was lying on the road his haggard face, pallid skin and labourd breathing bearing signs of deadly fever-but as he turned to leave the man begged for help. He hesitated - if he waited to minister to a dying stranger even for an hour he would miss his three friends but if he left now the man would die. He turned to the sick man and tended to him, leaving him with his bread and wine and healing herbs. " I have nothing to offer you in return," said the grateful man,"... only this our prophets have decreed that the
Messiah will be born in Bethlehem not in Jerusalem. May the Lord bring you in safety to that place because you had pity among the sick". When Artaban reached the Magi's meeting place he received a message "
Peter Castellino We can delay no longer. Follow us across the desert" He backtracked to Babylon, sold the sapphire, bought a camel train and provisions for the journey -he could not cross the desert with only a horse and he arrived in Bethlehem with the pearl and ruby offerings three days after the three wise men found Mary, Joseph and Jesus put the gold, frankincense and myrrh gifts at the baby's feet but he arrived in Bethlehem too late to see the child whose parents had fled to Egypt with the child.-and he was informed about this secret escape of the holy family by a woman he met in a little cottage there. Herod was slaying all male children afraid that the promised King and as the woman spoke there was an uproar on the streets as Herod's soldiers searched every home to kill any male child they found. The terrified young mother clasped her child to her... but Artaban rushed to the doorway and held out the ruby to the
soldier who snatched it eagerly. " March on ! he commanded his men, "there is no child here". Artaban sighed :" Now two of my gifts are gone. I have spent for man that which was meant for God Shall I ever be worthy to see the face of the King?" But the woman weeping for joy gently said: "Because you have saved the life of my little one may the Lord bless you and give you peace." Artaban wandered 33 years in search of the little Bethlehem family and worn and weary and ill now was ready to die but still looking for the King had come for the last time to Jerusalem and hearing of a great person to be killed that day and his life and teachings realised that this was indeed his ' King' but as he made his way to Golgotha, hoping his priceless pearl would buy the great one's release, he saw a troop of soldiers marching down the street dragging a young girl in chains. " Have pity on me save me : I am to be sold as a slave". The fourth wise man knew what to do-he took the pearl from his bosom which seemed more luminous now and exchanged the girl's freedom for the pearl He is then struck in the temple by a falling tile and is about to die having failed in his quest -his grief at not being able to see the King also caused him to collapse but in his half-conscious state he heard a gentle yet compelling voice: " Verily I say unto thee, inasmuch as thou has done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou has done it unto me." Artaban's journey had indeed ended and his treasures were accepted and he died in a calm radiance of wonder and joy. The fourth wise man/the Other wise man had found his King Thus we see the importance of Artaban who was always ready to help someone in trouble and would do well to follow his good example in order to become better Christians.
December 2013 December 23, 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas 2013 Bumper X’mas IssueIssue 2013
59 59
60
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
Mrs ereir a Mrs.. & Mr Mr.. Joseph P Pereir ereira
Mema Control Systems B-36, William Compound, Mithcho wky Mithchowky ve Road, Malad (W), Mar Marv Mumbai - 400064
Tel.: 28061125 / 28885307 Email: memacon@vsnl.net / memacon@gmail.com
RICHARD D’SOUZA Director
FALCON COURIERS PVT. LTD. Domestic & International Courier Service
3, Saifi Bldg., Ground Floor, 22-24-28 Raghunath Dadajee Street, Fort, Mumbai- 400 001
Tel.: 40025639 / 40 /41 Mobile - 98201 29883
Dunhill Chambers, Opp. Gajalee Restaurant, Hanuman Road, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai - 400 057.
Tel.: 2616 2805, 2619 4433
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Lobead
Perfect Place Pleasant People
Centrally Air Conditioned Places for Conferences / Seminars / Meetings / Training Programmes / Parties /Events “Morello”
6 Floor, New Wing, Holy Family Hospital, Hill Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400 050. Tel: 022-30610459 th
“Janssen”
Holy Spirit Hospital Mahakali Caves Road Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 093 Tel: 022-42478888 / 231
“Toni”
3 Floor, New Wing, Dr. Antonio da Silva School, S.K. Bole Road, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400 028 Tel: 022-24380868 rd
Contact: Adrian Pereira - 9820407158 Email : lobead@hotmail.com website : www.lobead.com
COME EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
61
62
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
CORREA CAR COOL Malad: Chincholi Road & Link Road Junction, Near Evershine Mall, Malad (West), Mumbai - 400 064 Tel.: 2878 3399 / 32233199 Fax: 2872 4635
Borivali: Opp. Olive Apartment & Tilak Complex, Borivali Link Road & Devidas Road Junction, Near Eskay Resorts, Borivali (W), Mumbai 400103. Tel.: 32183399
Email : correacool@yahoo.com
BLASE CORREA
93212 41111 / 98694 41111
Mr Mr.. D.M. D’Souza And Family Mulund
mit-mol
TM
CONVEYORS PVT. LTD.
We design, Engineer & Manufacture All Type of Conveyor Systems Both For Unit & Bulk Handling.
Plot No. R-427/8, M.I.D.C. Industrial Area, Thane-Belapur Road, Rabale, Navi Mumbai - 400 701. Tel.: 91-22-2769 4691 / 2769 6155 / 9324294159 Fax : 91-22-2769 4642 E-mail : sales@mitmol.com Website: www.mitmol.com
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
63
64
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
December 23, 2013
225, New Sonal Link Heavy Industrial Estate, Ramchandra Lane, Kanchpada, Malad (W), Mumbai - 400 064 Tel.: 2888 3892 / 2880 7445 / 5678 9680 Fax No. 2888 9166 Email: imageprod@rediffmail.com HERALD CASTELLINO
December 23, 2013
65
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
GABRIAL ELECTRICAL PVT. LTD. (ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND GOVT. LICENSED CONTRACTORS) Regd. Off.: 43, Kuber Complex, Link Road, Andheri (W), Mumbai - 400 053. Admn. Off.: 209/C, Neminath Apartment, Tejpal Road, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai - 400 057. Tel.: 2612 4202 / 2615 1920 / 6693 8796 Fax : 2610 1867 E-mail : gabrial@vsnl.com / gabrial@hathway.com O
EXPERIENCED IN ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
HAVE SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED PRESTIGIOUS PROJECTS OF REPUTED : Research & Development Labs and Institutions O Banks, I.T., Investment & Financial Institutions O Educational Institutions & Industrial Corporates O Hospitals O Commercial Offices & Establishments O Shopping Malls O Art Galleries O Show-Rooms O Hotels, Restaurents & Resorts O Factories and Residential Buildings O O
PRECISION
O
SAFETY
O
EXCELLENCE
O
QUALITY
O
PERFECTION
2014
66
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Dr. Frederick J. de Souza MA, LLM, MBA, Ph.D. Advocate High Court
51/A, Maimoon Apartments, Veer Savarkar Marg,
Prabhadevi, Mumbai 400025, India. Tel.: 2422 8769 / 2422 7153 Mobile: 9820239731 Email: fjdesouza@hotmail.com
December 23, 2013
December 23, 2013
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
67
RNI No. 56987/92
68
Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.
Bumper X’mas Issue 2013
Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14 December 23, 2013
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, Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo Email: secular@vsnl.com, secular@sezariworld.com