News Letter DIOCESE OF SALEM No. 484 For Private Circulation only APRIL 2015 BISHOP’S CALENDAR – APRIL 2015 DATE 01 02 03 03 04 05 06 08 09 10 11 12 12 14 14 15 15-19 20 22 23 24 25 27-28 PROGRAMME Wednesday of the Holy Week Holy Thursday – Mass of the Last Supper Good Friday – Meditation on the Passion Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord‘s Passion Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil Easter Sunday - Mass St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary Meeting TNBC Communication Secretaries Meeting Mass Madha TV meeting Jubilee Mass, Sacred Hear Primary School Feast Mass Final Profession, Carmel Ashram Blessing of New Chapel at Sathyanagar Blessing of New Chapel at Chinnagaundanur Mass Pastoral Visit Jubilee Mass, Jayarani School Mass Ordination to Priesthood, Salem diocese Feast Mass First Profession, Montfort Brothers Meeting the Deacons of Madurai Province PLACE TIME Arisipalayam Suramangalam Johnsonpet 05.30 p.m. 02.00 p.m. 06.00 p.m. Namakkal Namakkal Salem 06.00 p.m. Trichy B. Pallipatti Chennai Rasipuram Idappadi Yercaud Sangagiri Sangagiri 05.30 p.m. Arisipalayam Alagapuram Nethimedu Mathiampatti Cathedral Dindigul Yercaud Madurai 09.15 a.m. 05.30 p.m. 05.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m. 07.30 a.m. 10.00 a.m. 05.30 p.m. 09.30 a.m. 05.30 p.m. 06.30 p.m. 10.00 a.m. FROM BISHOP’S DESK – APRIL 2013 1. I wish all the Clergy, Religious and Laity of our Diocese a BLESSED EASTER! I wish all a Happy and Fruitful Pascal Season. I exhort all the priests in the parishes to undertake pastoral visit and Blessing of the families during the Pascal Season. 2. SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - SPECIAL COLLECTION for the PONTIFICAL SOCIETY OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE, Rome, in support of the formation of future priests in seminaries all over the world, is fixed for the Second Sunday of Easter. In the year 2013 the Second Sunday of Easter falls on 12.04.2015. May I request all the Parish Priests to inform the people of this collection and ask the people to contribute for the formation of future priests for the Catholic Church. The collection taken on this day is to be remitted to the diocesan Procurator immediately for onward transmission to Rome. 3. VOCATION SUNDAY is celebrated this year on 26th April 2015 with the theme: “Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith". All are requested to celebrate this day meaningfully using the material that will be sent to you to drive home to all people their duty to promote vocation to priesthood and religious life. A SPECIAL COLLECTION will be taken on this Sunday in all parishes and the proceeds of the collection is to be sent to the Diocesan Procurator immediately for onward transmission to the TNBC Commission for Vocation. 4. May I remind you to remit the GOOD FRIDAY - SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE HOLY LANDS to the Diocesan Procurator for onward transmission to Rome. 5. May I remind all Parish Priests to remit the Hunger and Disease Sunday Collection to the Director, Salem Social Service Society as early as possible and help him for forward the specified collection to Caritas India, New Delhi. 6. VOCATION CAMP FOR SALEM DIOCESE will be conducted on 21- 22 April 2015 at St. Xavier’s Minor Seminary, Salem. Please send to the Vocation Camp students who are interested in becoming priests, those who have completed X, XI & XII Standards or any Degree Course. Boarding and lodging will be provided free for those who attend the Vocation Camp. It will be useful if you could inform Rev. Fr. I. Mariasusai, the Rector of the Minor Seminary, possible number of those who may attend the camp from your parish. 7. Celebration of Confirmation may be arranged in the parishes during April & May 2015. Even small group of children can be prepared for Confirmation, instead of waiting for several years to have a bigger group. The parish priests are asked to book your dates early with the Bishop or with the Vicar General. 8. Annual Accounts of Salem Diocese Society are closed on 31.03.2015. All Parish Priests, Heads of Diocesan Institutions and all those who are doing any Project through the Diocese are requested to bring to the Diocesan Procurator the accounts with relevant bills and copies of Bank Pass books in the first week of April for auditing. Please act quickly on this. 9. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is a very useful programme to bring the Word of God close to our children. I exhort all parish priests to organize VBS during summer holidays. For necessary material, syllabus and training of animators for VBS, please contact Fr. Joseph Lazar.. 10. To the kind attention of the Heads of Catholic Educational Institutions. Admission of all the Catholic children in Catholic Schools is the policy of the CBCI and National CRI. It is important all the Catholic Educational Institutions come forward to execute this policy. May I remind all the Heads of Catholic Schools in Salem diocese to admit all the Catholic children who seek admission in Catholic Schools, run by the Diocese or by Religious Congregations, even relaxing some of the requirements fixed for other students in the admission process. Priority should be given to Catholic Students in the selection of groups of study and in hostel / boarding facilities if available. If any serious difficulty arises to get the Catholic children admitted in Catholic schools, the matter may be referred to the special committee, headed by our Vicar General, to look into these matters. 11. May I appeal to all Priests, Religious, Institutions, Government and other Employees and to contribute for the SALEM DIOCESAN EDUCATION FUND for Poor Children. The fund collected is managed by the Diocesan Education Fund Committee, which includes members from the Clergy, Religious and Lay people. The details of the disbursement of education help will be given every year in the diocesan Newsletter in July. Please send your collections in cash or by cheque to Fr. Procurator, Bishop‘s house, P.O. Box 703, Court Road, Maravaneri, Salem – 636007. 12. There will be NO Clergy Monthly Recollection in April and May 2015. The next Clergy Monthly recollection will be on 01.06.2015. 13. We are almost in the middle of the Year of Consecrated Life. Let us make all efforts in the parishes to bring home to our people the objectives of the Year of Consecrated Life with various useful pastoral programmes. 14. The admission details for St. Paul’s Boarding, Salem, is given later in this newsletter. Kindly see that all Catholic children, who want to be admitted into our boarding house, get there in time. Non-Catholic boys may be recommended to the Hostel. 15. The admission details for St. Xavier’s Seminary Hostel, Salem, is given later in this newsletter. Kindly see that all Catholic children, who want to be admitted there make it in time. Non-Catholic boys may be recommended to the Hostel. Bishop S. Singaroyan SALEM DIOCESAN VOCATION CAMP This year the vocation camp for Salem Diocese will be held in St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary, Salem, on 21st and 22nd of April 2015. It starts from 21st at 9:00 a.m. and it will end on 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Kindly encourage and send good students from good Catholic families who have completed 10th, 11th and 12th standards and those who have completed college studies. Fr. I. Mariasusai, Rector. ADMISSION IN ST. XAVIER’S SEMINARY BOYS’ HOME, SALEM-9 Admission in the Little Flower Higher Secondary School and Little Flower Matriculation School is easier if students are admitted in the seminary Boys‘ Home. More Catholic boys in the seminary will help to maintain Christian atmosphere in the Seminary Boys‘ Home. Admission for VI std. is encouraged both for Catholic and Hindu boys. Catholic boys will be admitted in all the classes. Your cooperation is much appreciated. Kindly admit the boys before 15th May 2015. Fr. I. Mariasusai, Rector. ADMISSION TO ST. PAUL’S H.S.SCHOOL & ST. THERESA’S HOME FOR BOYS & CARDINAL KROL HOSTEL Admissions to St. Theresa’s Home for Boys, Cardinal Krol Hostel and St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Salem, will be done on 02nd and 3rd May 2015 Saturday, from 9.00 a.m. for Classes VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI in both English and Tamil medium. All students who want to join the Boarding, Hostel or St. Paul‘s School have to come in person to the School on 02.05.2015 Saturday and 03.05.2015 Sunday. Rev. Fr. A. Sebastian, H.M., St. Paul‘s H.S.S. ADMISSION TO ST. JOHN’S M.H.S.S. & HOSTEL, SALEM Admissions to St. John’s Matriculation School and Hostel for Boys, Alagapuram, Salem, will be held on 25.04.2015 from 9.30 a.m. for all Classes except X & XII. All students who want to join the School and Hostel should come in person to the School on 26.04.2015. Rev. Fr. M. Solomonraj SACRED MUSIC TRAINING PROGRAMME - 2015 Days Venue Subjects: 1) Keyboard Violin : 1st to 20th May 2015 (20 days) : St. Joseph’s Matriculation School, Mulagumoodu, Kanyakumari Dt. ii) Vocal Music iii) Tabla iv) Guitar v) Fee Details Rs 2000/-, Boarding & Lodging: Rs 3000/Contact (for more details) Fr. Jeyaseelan, Programme Coordinator, Phone: 9443118725. Registration: Rs 200/-, Tuition: NEWS FROM DIOCESAN COMMISSIONS CATECHETICAL COMMISSION Steel Plant Parish Catechism Annual Day 2015: Steel Plant Parish Sunday catechism students celebrated the Catechism Day on 1st of March 2015. Fr. Director presided over the Eucharist. The whole liturgy was taken care of by the catechism students. In the evening, the catechism students performed different cultural programmes. We thank the Parish priest and catechism teachers who took keen interest in celebrating this beautiful day. Special Catechism Exam for III to IX and XI students at Diocesan Level: On 8th of March 2015 (Sunday) Special Diocesan Catechism Examination was held for the students who scored first and second marks in the School catechism Examination at Vicariate centers. 595 students wrote the Special Catechism Examination. Sunday Catechism Students Visit: Sangagiri Parish: On 15th of March the parish Sunday catechism students celebrated their Annual Day. They animated the whole liturgy. After the Mass special seminar was conducted for the students about altar service. Sadayampalayam Parish: On 22nd Bro. Mariasusai visited all the students and encouraged them to live holy life like St. Dominic, St. Mariagoretti and Tharsius. He also explained about the importance of the Holy Mass and Altar Service. ANBIAM COMMISSION Anbiam Holy Mass in the Parishes: During the Lenten Season, in many parishes the Holy Mass was celebrated in the Anbiams. This is also a kind of evangelization because in this Holy Mass even other religion people also participated in it. We congratulate all the Anbiam leaders who took keen interest in arranging this Anbiam Mass. Way of the Cross by Anbiams in the Parishes: During this Lenten season, Anbiams conduced the way of the cross in several parishes. It shows that the laity participation is increasing through Basic Christian communities. We also thank all the parish priests who encouraging the Anbiam to conduct the way of the cross. Paramathi Parish : On 16th of March 2015, Annai Theresa Anbiam conducted the Way of the Corss at Srilankan Refuge Camp. Many Non Chrisitans participated in it. Anbiam Coordinators Meetings: On 22nd March we conducted Anbiam coordinators meeting at Sadayampalayam Parish. Bro. Charlie presided over the meeting. He encouraged the Anbiam leaders to be very active and vibrant. He spoke about the main role of the Anbiam in the Parishes. Director insisted all the leaders to concentrate on the weak Anbiam. Retreat to the laity: On March 21st 2015, we the laity commission gave the faith formation to the laity through retreat at Sangagiri Parish. Many were participated and benefited out it. We thank the Parish priest for arranging this retreat. FAMILY COMMISSION We conducted marriage preparation course in the month of March 14 and 15. 76 youth boys and girls were participated in the Marriage preparation course. Fr. Amal Mahimai celebrated the Holy Mass for them and gave the certificate to them. Marriage Preparation Courses in Diocese of Salem MONTH OF APRIL 2015 Place Day Time Reg Fee : Marthal Illam, Epiphany Centre, Salem –9 : 11th (Saturday) and 12th (Sunday) of April 2015. : From 08.30 a.m. to 05.30 p.m. : 200 (Registration, study material and Lunch for two days) MONTH OF MAY 2015 Place Day Time Reg Fee Date 1-5 : Sadayampalayam Parish : 16th (Saturday) and 17th (Sunday) of March 2015. : From 08.30 a.m. to 05.30 p.m. : 200 (Registration, study material and Lunch for two days) Forthcoming Programme in the Month of April 2015 (BCC, Catechism and Laity Commission) Programme Place Holy week Salem Camp 11-12 26 Marriage Preparation Course Anbiam General Body Meeting Epiphany Centre Chennai Pastoral Centre Fr. Peter Raj, Secretary - BCC, Family, Laity and Catechism. EPIPHANY PASTORAL CENTER Lenten Special Prayer Meeting: Lent is a time to harvest God‘s grace by prayer and penance and keep reserve for the renewal of our day to day life. Having realized this, we organized Lenten Special Prayer service on 4th in Kakkavari and on 25th in Gangavalli. And then the movie ―Jesus of Nazareth‖ was shown to them. Everyone was profited by it. Way of the Cross: Way of the cross is the way of life for every Christian. To imprint this message in the hearts of people the Father Director with the team conducted way of the Cross in the following places where the people re-lived the way of Calvary. 6th- Johnsonpet, 13th – Nagalur, Yercaud th 20 – Attur, 27th –Arulampadi Retreat: In order to be with the Lord alone One day retreat was organized in these places: On 7th in Chatrakudi, Ramnad. More than 1200 people participated in it. On 11th we were happy to have more than 100 students from Idhaya Engineering College in our Epiphany Centre. On 16th more than 500 people took part in Johnsonpet. On 22nd in Viruthachalam more than 1500 faithful flocked in the church to receive God‘s blessings. All those who attended the retreat experienced God‘s presence and love. They went back with renewed life, relaxed mind and energized. Dear Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters, kindly note: We have allotted 2 days especially for you to exhibit your congregation‘s charism and ministry which will commence on 2nd and 3rd of May 2015 in Epiphany Centre for children and youth. It is also a wonderful chance to promote vocation. So make use of this opportunity. Sound and Light Programme: We performed a sound and light program (Ulaga Meetpar Yesu) in Saveriyarpalayam, Boomnur Around 1500 people watched and gained by it. Our heartfelt thanks to Rev Fr Michael Raj Selvam who gave us a wonderful chance to spread the Gospel. Special Programme for Madha TV: A Special Dindigul I. Leoni Pattimandram for the Easter Feast was held at our Epiphany Pastoral Centre Salem, to be telecasted in in Madha T.V. on Easter Day. More than 2500 people enjoyed the show. Our Sincere thanks to Our Bishop, Madha TV Team and all the Parish Priests. Your kind attention please dear Parish Priests…. We are going to have the VBS inaugural function on 2nd May 2015 at Epiphany Centre. You are requested to send your VBS children here by 10 a.m. On 3rd April we have arranged a full day programme for youth. So kindly encourage your youth to participate in it. We have arranged a training programme for VBS Catechism teachers in Epiphany Centre on 19th April. Kindly send the teachers without fail. We are glad to announce that there will be a CHARISMATIC CONVENTION held in the month of May. Venue: Epiphany Pastoral Centre, Date: 1, 2 & 3 May 2015. Come & experience the Risen Lord. Fr. Gopi Emmanuel, Director, Epiphany Pastoral Centre. FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN EPIPHANY CENTRE S.NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DATE 1.4.2015 3.4.2015 6 - 12.4.2015 11.4.2015 11.4.2015 13 - 18.4.2015 16.4.2015 19.4.2015 25.4.2015 26.4.2015 26.4.2015 EVENT Sound & Light Mass Sound & Light Marivalam Full Night Vigil Sound & light Meeting VBS Training CSC Meeting Blood Donation Camp For Religious Fasting Prayer PRISON MINISTRY We conducted a Seminar on Humanism to the Women Prison police personnel on 24.02.2015. Rev. Fr. Beschi of Kottar Diocese was the resource person. The S.P. of Salem Central Prison inaugurated the session. The police personnel participants appreciated this event very much and thanked PMI for the same. PMI volunteers helped one inmate of the Central Prison for his release. He thanked the PMI very much for the same. PLACE Koneripatty Sadayampalayam Idapady Epiphany Centre Epiphany Centre B.Pallipatty Dharmapuri Epiphany Centre Epiphany Centre Epiphany Centre Epiphany Centre Women‘s Day was celebrated meaningfully on 07.03.2015 at Salem Central Prison with the collaboration of the SMMI Sisters. The SMMI Aspirants performed several meaningful cultural programmes to the mark the Women‘s Day. Competitions were conducted for the inmates and staff and prize were given by the S.P. We thank the PMI volunteers and the sponsors of the prizes. Sr. Joyce SJC, Coordinator SALEM SOCIAL SERVICE SOCEITY New Thrust: The CBO meetings were held in 5 unions. Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, Coordinators took part in these meetings. Rev.Fr. Arockiasamy led the meetings and fixed dates for women‘s day celebration on 21st march at Thammampatty and 31st march at Attur. All the CBO members agreed to celebrate the women‘s day. Salem Social Service Society celebrated the Women‘s day with the title of “Stop Violence against Women and Children” in Thammampatty on 21.03.2015. The celebration started with rally in the presence of Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, chief guests, Sub-Inspector, Medical Officer and Staffs of SSSS. During the programme Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy welcomed all the chief guests and women from different SHGs. The invited chief guests are Sr. Eframe, Cluny Convent, Nattamangalam, Mrs. Rajathi, Jananayaga Madhar Sangam, Salem, Mrs. Valarmathi, Medical Officer, Thammampatty, Mr. Jamal Mohamed, Health Inspector, Thammampatty, Mrs. Vimala, Salem Women Federation Leader. The chief guests spoke on different topics like Violence against Women, Health and Sanitation, Principles of SHG, Child Marriage and Child Infanticide. The programme successfully came to an end with vote of thanks, which was given by Mrs. Dorathy Ruban, Project Coordinator. The CBO members from Omalur came towards to social action. The CBO furnished Rs. 2500 to Mrs. Lakshmi as pregnant assistance. Our staffs were taken efforts for economical support to SHG members. Staffs create linkages with ICICI bank and assist for the following SHGs. S. Name of Amount Name of the SHGs No the Block Availed Thalaivasal Pudhunilavu Self Help Group 3,00,000 1 Vivekanandar Self Help Group 2,24,000 Bhavani Self Help Group 3,50,000 Gangavalli Durgai Self Help Group 5,00,000 2 Star Self Help Group 5,00,000 Murugan Self Help Group 5,00,000 Attur Thalamboo Self Help Group 3,00,000 3 Mottum Malarum Self Help Group 2,85,000 Srivijayaram Self Help Group 3,60,000 Nethaji Self Help Group 3,80,000 36,99,000 Total Kolping India: Rev Fr. Arockiasamy, Director of SSSS and Mrs. Dorathy Ruban, Project Coordinator monitored IGP activities in Koneripatti, R.C. Reddiyur and Attur. The IGP units (Jute Bag production unit, Power loom unit and departmental store) are going well as we planned. DBA: This month SSSS conducted 3 awareness programmes to the 35 DBA students, St. John Britto Matric Higher Secondary School. The covered topics are: Migration and its effects and Child Labour in India, Tuberculosis (TB) awareness programme. During the programmes 35 students are motivated to present their thoughts and values in front of others to develop their presenting skills. The students actively participated and presented their topics. Staffs of SSSS dispense the 1200 Swine Flu awareness notices to the students of St. John Britto Matric Hr.Sec.School to generate awareness on swine flu. The DBA students took part in the distributions of the notices. CHAI - Axshya Project: SSSS has conducted five TB awareness programme in the selected villages of Salem District. The villages are: Mullaivadi, Sivathapuram, Echampatti, Koodamalai, Attur. 216 participants participated and gained knowledge on TB. A door to door awareness campaign was conducted by staffs of SSSS at Veerabandi. It covered 134 houses. 6 suspects are identified as sputum positive among the transported sputum and the suspects are followed by SSSS staffs for the DOTS treatment. BCI: During the reporting period 3 sustainable agriculture training programmes have been conducted and 94 youth gained knowledge on organic farming and manure production such as bio compost and vermin compost. Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, Director, S.S.S.S. NEWS FROM VICARIATES ATTUR VICARIATE Attur: A Special Lenten Charismatic Convention was arranged in Attur Parish for four days and Mr.Philip and Mrs.Immaculate from Nagercoil preached powerfully the word of God to the people and invited them for a renewal of their lives. On 5th March, Thursday a prayer meeting was arranged in Chinnapanagar (a sub-station) and people of that locality benefited a lot. From 6th to 8th March Charismatic Convention was conducted in the Parish Church and parishioners took part in those events with interest and benefited. On 8th March Sunday the Lenten Preaching was arranged for all the parishes of Attur Vicariate. The people and the priests participated in it and received the consoling and also challenging message of the Lord. The priests helped the people by hearing their confessions and by offering directions for the betterment of their spiritual life. At the end there was a Anbin-Virunthu for all the participants. Sincere thanks to all the priests of Attur Vicariate who collaborated for this venture. On 22rd March the enactment of the Passion of the Lord took place in Attur Parish. The parishioners involved actively and presented the passion, death and the resurrection of the Lord with devotion. All those who saw were really touched by the ever forgiving love of Jesus and went home with a resolution to live for Jesus. Fr. Arul Francis Xavier, P.P. METTUR VICARIATE Salem Camp: Lenten Pilgrimage to Masilapalayam was held on 22 March. 200 people took part in this Lenten exercise which ended with Way of the Cross, Holy Hour and Eucharistic celebration. Savariyarpalayam: On 15 March, a Sound & Light programme was arranged in Kosakaradu which depicted Jesus as universal saviour. 1500 people witnessed this visual treat and appreciated the efforts of Epiphany Centre for its meticulous display. There were one day Lenten retreats in Savariyarpalayam and Boomanur preached by Frs.Stanly and Vimal respectively. Spiritual renewal was the focus of the day. Mettur Dam: On 7th March, our parishioners participated in the vicariate pilgrimage to Boomanur in large number. Fr.Solomon conducted the way of the cross which started from Karungaradu and ended in Boomanur with special mass. A large congregation from different parishes took part in these events. Popular Mission Retreat was held from March 15 to 20. This retreat was a time of grace for our parishioners. Almost all took part enthusiastically and revived their spiritual living. Special way of the cross, mass and cultural programme were arranged in three different zones consisting of four anbiyams to enkindle the spirit of lent. Anbiyam in-charges led all the planning and execution. Blood donation camp was held with the help of our parish teachers to feel one with suffering Jesus. Awareness about blood donation was given to our parishioners through pamphlets. POPE'S MESSAGE FOR 51ST WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS Theme: Vocations, Witness to the Truth 11 May 2014 - Fourth Sunday of Easter Dear Brothers and Sisters, 1. The Gospel says that ―Jesus went about all the cities and villages... When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‗The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest‘‖ (Mt 9:35-38). These words surprise us, because we all know that it is necessary first to plow, sow and cultivate to then, in due time, reap an abundant harvest. Jesus says instead that ―the harvest is plentiful‖. But who did the work to bring about these results? There is only one answer: God. Clearly the field of which Jesus is speaking is humanity, us. And the efficacious action which has borne ―much fruit‖ is the grace of God, that is, communion with Him (cf. Jn 15:5). The prayer which Jesus asks of the Church therefore concerns the need to increase the number of those who serve his Kingdom. Saint Paul, who was one of ―God‘s fellow workers‖, tirelessly dedicated himself to the cause of the Gospel and the Church. The Apostle, with the awareness of one who has personally experienced how mysterious God‘s saving will is, and how the initiative of grace is the origin of every vocation, reminds the Christians of Corinth: ―You are God‘s field‖ (1 Cor 3:9). That is why wonder first arises in our hearts over the plentiful harvest which God alone can bestow; then gratitude for a love that always goes before us; and lastly, adoration for the work that he has accomplished, which requires our free consent in acting with him and for him. 2. Many times we have prayed with the words of the Psalmist: ―It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture‖ (Ps 100:3); or: ―The Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession‖ (Ps 135:4). And yet we are God‘s ―possession‖ not in the sense of a possession that renders us slaves, but rather of a strong bond that unites us to God and one another, in accord with a covenant that is eternal, ―for his steadfast love endures for ever‖ (Ps 136). In the account of the calling of the prophet Jeremiah, for example, God reminds us that he continually watches over each one of us in order that his word may be accomplished in us. The image is of an almond branch which is the first tree to flower, thus announcing life‘s rebirth in the springtime (cf Jer 1:11-12). Everything comes from him and is his gift: the world, life, death, the present, the future, but — the Apostle assures us — ―you are Christ‘s; and Christ is God‘s‖ (1 Cor 3:23). Hence the way of belonging to God is explained: it comes about through a unique and personal relationship with Jesus, which Baptism confers on us from the beginning of our rebirth to new life. It is Christ, therefore, who continually summons us by his word to place our trust in him, loving him ―with all the heart, with all the understanding, and with all the strength‖ (Mk 12:33). Therefore every vocation, even within the variety of paths, always requires an exodus from oneself in order to centre one‘s life on Christ and on his Gospel. Both in married life and in the forms of religious consecration, as well as in priestly life, we must surmount the ways of thinking and acting that do not conform to the will of God. It is an ―exodus that leads us on a journey of adoration of the Lord and of service to him in our brothers and sisters‖ (Address to the International Union of Superiors General, 8 May 2013). Therefore, we are all called to adore Christ in our hearts (1 Pet 3:15) in order to allow ourselves to be touched by the impulse of grace contained in the seed of the word, which must grow in us and be transformed into concrete service to our neighbour. We need not be afraid: God follows the work of his hands with passion and skill in every phase of life. He never abandons us! He has the fulfillment of his plan for us at heart, and yet he wishes to achieve it with our consent and cooperation. 3. Today too, Jesus lives and walks along the paths of ordinary life in order to draw near to everyone, beginning with the least, and to heal us of our infirmities and illnesses. I turn now to those who are well disposed to listen to the voice of Christ that rings out in the Church and to understand what their own vocation is. I invite you to listen to and follow Jesus, and to allow yourselves to be transformed interiorly by his words, which ―are spirit and life‖ (Jn 6:62). Mary, the Mother of Jesus and ours, also says to us: ―Do whatever he tells you‖ (Jn 2:5). It will help you to participate in a communal journey that is able to release the best energies in you and around you. A vocation is a fruit that ripens in a well cultivated field of mutual love that becomes mutual service, in the context of an authentic ecclesial life. No vocation is born of itself or lives for itself. A vocation flows from the heart of God and blossoms in the good soil of faithful people, in the experience of fraternal love. Did not Jesus say: ―By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another‖ (Jn 13:35)? 4. Dear brothers and sisters, this ―high standard of ordinary Christian living‖ (cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31) means sometimes going against the tide and also encountering obstacles, outside ourselves and within ourselves. Jesus himself warns us: the good seed of God‘s word is often snatched away by the Evil one, blocked by tribulation, and choked by worldly cares and temptation (cf Mt 13:19-22). All of these difficulties could discourage us, making us fall back on seemingly more comfortable paths. However, the true joy of those who are called consists in believing and experiencing that he, the Lord, is faithful, and that with him we can walk, be disciples and witnesses of God‘s love, open our hearts to great ideals, to great things. ―We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for small things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals!‖ (Homily at Holy Mass and the Conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, 28 April 2013). I ask you bishops, priests, religious, Christian communities and families to orient vocational pastoral planning in this direction, by accompanying young people on pathways of holiness which, because they are personal, ―call for a genuine ‗training in holiness‘ capable of being adapted to every person‘s need. This training must integrate the resources offered to everyone with both the traditional forms of individual and group assistance, as well as the more recent forms of support offered in associations and movements recognized by the Church‖ (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31). Let us dispose our hearts therefore to being ―good soil‖, by listening, receiving and living out the word, and thus bearing fruit. The more we unite ourselves to Jesus through prayer, Sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, the Sacraments celebrated and lived in the Church and in fraternity, the more there will grow in us the joy of cooperating with God in the service of the Kingdom of mercy and truth, of justice and peace. And the harvest will be plentiful, proportionate to the grace we have meekly welcomed into our lives. With this wish, and asking you to pray for me, I cordially impart to you all my Apostolic Blessing. From the Vatican, 15 January 2014 FRANCIS POPE’ MESSAGE ARE YOU GUILTY OF ANY OF 15 AILMENTS OF THOSE IN ADMINISTRTION POINTED OUT BY POPE FRANCIS? Pope Francis on Monday 22nd December 2014 called everyone to examine himself and indicated a list of 15 “ailments” that he said plague everyone involved in administrative setup or bureaucracy. He read out 15 sins that he believed the People in Administration could be guilty of. These included: 1. Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. 'An Administration organization that doesn't criticize itself, that doesn't update itself, that doesn't seek to improve itself is a sick body.' 2. Working too hard. 'Rest for those who have done their work is necessary, good and should be taken seriously.' 3. Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. 'It's dangerous to lose that human sensibility that lets you cry with those who are crying, and celebrate those who are joyful.' 4. Planning too much. 'Preparing things well is necessary, but don't fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous than any human plan.' 5. Working without coordination, like an orchestra that produces noise. 'When the foot tells the hand, 'I don't need you' or the hand tells the head 'I'm in charge.'' 6. Having 'spiritual Alzheimer's.' 'We see it in the people who have forgotten their encounter with the Lord ... in those who depend completely on their here and now, on their passions, whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves and become enslaved to the idols that they have built with their own hands.' 7. Being rivals or boastful. 'When one's appearance, the color of one's vestments or honorific titles become the primary objective of life.' 8. Suffering from 'existential schizophrenia.' 'It's the sickness of those who live a double life, fruit of hypocrisy that is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that academic degrees cannot fill. It's a sickness that often affects those who, abandoning pastoral service, limit themselves to bureaucratic work, losing contact with reality and concrete people.' 9. Committing the 'terrorism of gossip.' 'It's the sickness of cowardly people who, not having the courage to speak directly, talk behind people's backs.' 10. Glorifying one's bosses. 'It's the sickness of those who court their superiors, hoping for their benevolence. They are victims of careerism and opportunism; they honor people who aren't God.' 11. Being indifferent to others. 'When, out of jealousy or cunning, one finds joy in seeing another fall rather than helping him up and encouraging him.' 12. Having a 'funereal face.' 'In reality, theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity. The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy and transmit joy wherever he goes.' 13. Wanting more. 'When the apostle tries to fill an existential emptiness in his heart by accumulating material goods, not because he needs them but because he'll feel more secure.' 14. Forming 'closed circles' that seek to be stronger than the whole. 'This sickness always starts with good intentions but as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a cancer that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much bad — scandals — especially to our younger brothers.' 15. Seeking worldly profit and showing off. 'It's the sickness of those who insatiably try to multiply their powers and to do so are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting others, even in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as being more capable than others. The next Clergy Monthly Recollection will be on 01.06.2015.
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