A New Initiative - Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj

A New Initiative:

 Fr Jose Changanacherry will officially inaugurate the website www.bbnnews.webs.com of Mr Vijay Macwan on 1 June. The BBN has been covering news of the church in Gujarat and also offering videos on spiritual aids. Mr Macwan has intiated a new programme: an audio recording of the daily Gospel reading from the liturgy in Gujarati. The first reader to launch the programme is Fr Isudas Cueli. Eventually, Vijay plans to include the first reading of the liturgy. Please visit the website to listen to the reading.

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj s.j

Fr.Mendiburu Passed away - Fr.Pablo Gil

Dear Fr. Changa,

Just now I received the news that Fr. Narciso Mendiburu has expired. After our arrival in Pamplona he experienced a slight improvement. But  he had a sudden collapse and was taken to the clinic. Apparently he had  a blood clot in the brain. He got worse in the clinic and early in the morning  I got the news that he had expired. The Superior of  the Community has offered me the chance of officiating at the funeral, .I have gladly accepted the invitation.

I must say that the whole community has accompanied Mendiburu  all the time he has been here. He was visited everyday in the clinic and the nurse from the community was continuously at his service.  Everyday he had visitors in the clinic, though he could not talk. He expressed his appreciation to the visitors by crying..

yours,

Pablo Gil S.J

Biodata of Fr.Narciso Mendiburu:

Father’s name:  Venancio  

Mother:  Felip

Date of Birth:  29 October 1922

Died: 18 May 2012

Entered the Society:  01 September 1939

Juniorate:  Loyola, Orduna at Salamanca- Spain.

Philosophy:  Perfilit at Ona

Regency:  St.Xavier’s Ahmedabad and Petlad in 1950 to 1953

Theology:  DNC, Pune- India 1953-1957.

Ordained: 23 March 1956 at St.Xavier’s Pune by Bishop Andrew D’Souza.

Responsibilities Held:

Pricipal: St.Xavier’s  High School ,Ahmedabad -1958

Pricipal; St.Mary’s  High School, Nadiad -1974

Vice Principal: St.Xavier’s  High School , Ahmedabad

Teacher: St.Xavier’s High school, Anand 1969 ( one year)

Minister: Loyola Hall, Ahmedabad 1990 -1992.

Asst.Parish priest: Gandhinagar 1992

Chaplain: St.Mary’s mt.Abu, 2004-2005.

Chaplain: Shrine, Baroda 2005-2008

Praying for the Society: 2008-

Yours in the Lord,

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj s.j

Socius

Songadh Meet - Fr.Raymund Chauhan s.j

Songadh Meet

On 22 April, all the South Gujarat Jesuit-missions’ roads led to Shakti, Songadh. Some might wonder as to what was the magnetic pull that drew more than 50 participants – Jesuit Parish Priests, Jesuit Priests In-charge of hostels and the lay prefects. Following the mandate given by the Provincial, Fr Changa, the Jesuits of South Gujarat Missions took upon themselves the responsibility of planning for the coming academic year 2012-2013, some basic minimum program in common in their respective hostels.

The common minimum programme, based on the South Gujarat Jesuit-run hostels policy prepared in 2008, included aspects such as personality development, value-based formation, tribal culture and identity, Faith formation for Catholic students and moral science for the non-Catholic students. Moreover, in collaboration with the invited 3 lay resource persons, they chalked out activities which would take care of the quality education particularly excellence in the field of academics. To ensure this in the schools and hostels, activities such as motivation, orientation and study techniques have been planned meticulously. In order to guide our tribal students with regard to their future orientation, short courses like career guidance and technical guidance have been given priority. The 11^th and 12^th standards students need to be prepared to face life with all it offers. Hence a short course in Sex Education has been made part of the formation.

The spirit of union of minds and hearts united the Jesuits of South Gujarat, in the sense that both the North-South district and South-South district decided to work together for this programme of the South Gujarat Jesuit-run hostels. The two district coordinators – Frs Ishwan Gamit and James Vas – worked seriously to bring all under one umbrella at Shakti, Songadh. The spirit behind the whole movement was the core group consisting of Frs Raymund Chauhan, Francis Macwan and Amalraj Jeganathan. They left no stone unturned to prepare in detail a file for centre which contained all the necessary information for planning of different activities in the hostels. Hats off to them for their selfless service to the tribal students, and the Jesuits who are in South Gujrat at present.

Sensing the mood of the coordinators and the core group, Fr Provincial and Fr Socius made it a point to be present and shared with the Jesuits inspiring words for the Strategic Apostolic Planning in South Gujarat. All appreciated the food for thought as much as they enjoyed the delicious food served by Fr Vincent Mooken and the team at Shakti, Songadh. (Fr Raymund)

Ignatius and Our Mother - Fr.Hedwig Lewis

Ignatius and our Blessed Mother

Hedwig Lewis SJ

Ignatius had deep devotion to the Virgin Mary since childhood. There are several Marian shrines that serve as milestones to his spiritual progress. The first “companions” made their vows before the altar of Our Lady at Montmarte. Mary granted Ignatius his heart’s desire: “to place him with her Son” at La Storta. The Society’s first headquarters were attached to the chapel of Our Lady of the Way.

Ignatius considered Mary his mediatrix and the intercessor for the Society. He introduced the “Triple Colloquy” in the Exercises to obtain graces that are significant and foundational. When Pope Marcellus II, a dear friend of his fell seriously ill, Ignatius sent four Jesuit priests on foot to the shrine of Our Lady of Loretto to pray for his recovery. Ignatius used a rosary formed by a series of beads strung on a cord. When he died, his body was placed for public veneration before the image of the Madonna della Strada. 

Every Jesuit, like Ignatius, has his own story of indebtedness to Mother Mary for his vocation and for her intervention in the effectiveness of his ministry.

Further reading: Simon Decloux, Our Lady in Ignatian Spirituality, CIS, XIX, 1988.

Golden Jubilee Celebration - fr. Xavier Manjooran

Dear Friends,

It is 50 years since I joined the Society of Jesus. I cannot imagine I have completed half a century as a Jesuit and so this year is the Golden Jubilee of entrance into the Society of Jesus. In fact it was a great joy when all of us who joined the Society of Jesus in 1962 came together on 17-19 March 2012 at Baga, Goa and spent few days to experience and to renew our companionship and share our experience. As we spent time together we realized how much God and people have done for us…….

As the years go by and life becomes a routine it is normal that we take for granted people, events and many experiences in life. When I look back I realize that I too have taken many things for granted. But now I want to acknowledge the contribution made by many in my life and the events that have shaped my life.  You are one of those who have contributed to my growth as a person and helped me to live happily as a Jesuit. As I thank God for your intervention and contribution in my life I remember you with gratitude and will be happy if you can come to Rajpipla when our centre, Rajpipla Social Service Society is celebrating my Jubilee with a thanks giving Eucharist and a meal together on 12^th May with the Adivasis and other friends with whom I work and share my life.

Please continue your payers, love and support as you have been doing all these years.

Yours affectionately  and gratefully,

Xavier Manjooran, SJ

Yuva sammelan, Unai - Fr.Sunil Macwan

Yuva Sammelan, Unai

Unai, Bardipada and Vyara jointly organized a successful Yuva Sammelan at Unai recently. One hundred and forty boys and girls gathered at Jivan Jyot Unai on April 21^st. The first day of the gathering was devoted to light hearted activities including a picnic to Waghai and Pimpri. Sr Rubina ccv and her team quickly put the group through the registration process as the youth arrived. Next, Fr Ronnie Saldanha conducted a lengthy ice-breaking session to the great delight of the participants. After lunch the youth tried their hand at leaf painting. The youthfulness and creativity of the participants were evident in their instantly made paintings! The evening was spent in Waghai and Pimpri. It was the most entertaining time of the day as all boys and girls freely mingled with one another at the botanical garden. They continued to revel in their togetherness at the river bank in Pimpri. Then all sat together in reverential silence for a while as Fr Sundar Vasava led the group into evening prayer. After a tasty dinner offered by Jivan Jyot Pimpri our youth spontaneously began dancing in unison to the rhythmic tunes of adivasi naach. We returned to Jivan Jyot Unai at 10.00 pm and quickly hit the bed!

The next day, April 22^nd, was devoted to serious sessions. Fr Lazarus D’Souza, Superior of Unai and Bardipada officiated at the Eucharist with a thought-provoking homily. The Youth animated the mass centre-wise with an entrance dance, Offertory Tree and ‘vidaai naach’. Thereafter in the first session of the day, Fr Ronnie and Sr Rubina held a lively discussion with the group on the dreams, goals, opportunities and challenges of the South Gujarat Adivasi Youth today. The next session was conducted by guest speakers. Mr Anand Vasava (Ahmedabad), Mr Prakash Gamit (Ahwa) and Ms Sumitra Kokni (Pimpri) led the group into a meaningful discussion on issues such as suicides and addiction among the adivasi youth in South Gujarat. The post lunch penultimate session of the day was audio visual. Four short video clips were screened for the group followed by a touching sharing by boys and girls on topics such as respecting and caring for old parents, initiating action for a public cause, having a never-say-die attitude in life and making a choice for the greater good in life.

Before closing the yuva sammelan Fr Saldanha conducted an evaluation of the entire programme wherein the group strongly expressed to have a follow up of this gathering in near future. The organizers would like to express sincere thanks to Fr Lazarus D’Souza, Fr Hasmukh Parmar and the team of volunteers from Jivan Jyot Unai led by Mr Vinod Vasava for their support, encouragement and hard work in making this Yuva Sammelan a truly memorable event. (Fr Sunil Macwan)