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Circular March
2008
General Int.: That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between
persons and people may be understood and that the church through her
testimony may spread Christ’s love, the source of new humanity.
Missionary Int. That Christians, who are persecuted
in many parts of the world and in various manners because of the Gospel,
may continue, sustained by the strength of the Holy Spirit, to bear witness
courageously and openly to the Word of God.
VICTORY THROUGH
CROSS AND SUFFERING
“The Preaching of the holy Gospel must establish
the faith of all. None must be ashamed of the cross
of Christ by which he redeemed the
world…… None must fear to suffer for righteousness sake. None
must doubt that God will fulfill His promises. For
through toil comes rest; through
death comes life. Jesus has taken upon
his own shoulders all the weakness of our humility. If we
are steadfast in our acknowledgement and love of Him, in him we win the
victory He won, and receive the reward that He has promised.”
St. Leo the
Great
Dear Rev.
Fathers / Brothers / Sisters,
Greetings
of Peace!
·
CHRISM MASS : As informed earlier the Chrism Mass will be
celebrated at Mother of Divine Grace Cathedral, Gulbarga on Thursday,
13 March 2008 at 5.00 p.m. for Priests it is a
day to remember and celebrate their Priesthood in Christ. As all
priest cannot gather together to celebrate this on Holy
Thursday, the Church allows the celebration on a convenient day
before or during the Holy Week.
Dear Fathers, let us all
join to celebrate our Priesthood in Christ, the ‘Unam Presbyterium’
to manifest our unity and give thanks to the Lord, for the special
love He has shown us by sharing His priestly mission with us.
During the Chrism Mass we will be blessing the Holy Oils. The Oil of
Catechumens marks the initiation of the baptized in the faith of the
church. The Oil of anointing the sick is used to anoint the people when
they are seriously sick, to strengthen them in the difficult phase of their
spiritual journey.
Finally, we are anointed
with the Oil of Chrism that unites us with Christ, the anointed of
God, the Messiah
signifying our participation in the redeeming mission of Christ. Please
instruct the faithful about the importance of this day and exhort them to
attend the Chrism Mass.
Recollection is
arranged for all the priests and sisters on this day at 9.30 a.m. All the
priests and sisters are invited to be present.
Parish Priests are
requested to take the Holy Oils to their parishes the same day. Please
bring the containers when you come. All the priests are requested to bring
their Alb and cincture for the Chrism Mass.
·
Faith Formation Camp during summer holidays provide
us with wonderful opportunities to strengthen our children in
Faith. I request all the Parish Priest/Directors to co-operate with
Fr. Gerald Sagar, Secretary and Commission for Bible, Catechist and
Liturgy. Celebrated the Year of the Word of God, we have the main
objective of this summer camp: Let the children know the Power of the
Word of God. Create in them a ‘Thirst” for the Word of God.’
·
Deacon Santhosh Bapu will be
Ordained priest on 17th
April 2008 at St. John the Baptist’s Church, Palahally
(Srirangapatanam) Mysore. I cordially invite all the priests to join
him on this great day of his life. Please remember to pray for him as he
prepares himself for his Great Day !
·
Women’s Day : We are well aware that on 8th
March we celebrate Women’s Day with great enthusiasm. It is an
occasion to create awareness among all women of their rightful place in the
society. I thank all the priests and sisters for their genuine
efforts in helping women to take their rightful place in the society.
A special word of thanks to the Director of ORBIT & Seva Sangama,
all the Co-ordinators, Staff and all the collaborators for their tireless
efforts in helping women in thousands to light the lamp of Hope in their
families . It is said, educating the woman is equal to educating the
entire family. We must say, bringing up a woman in
faith is equal to bringing all the members of the family closer to
God. Let all our efforts for the uplift of women
bring our families closer to God
·
Congratulations to
Major Archbishop Cardinal
Varkey Vidayathil, the new President of CBCI. May the
Lord bless him with all the graces to lead the church unitedly in facing
the challenges of the present times. We wish him success.
· All the Mission Directors/Parish Priests are
requested to submit their Annual Accounts for Audit by the 20th of
April 2008. The Heads of institutions under GDES are requested to
complete their audit of accounts by the end of April 08. Please contact
through the Secretary of GDES, Mr. Manilal Shah, the appointed Auditor of
Gulbarga Diocesan Education Society for a suitable date for the Audit of
your annual accounts.
· D.P.C.
Meeting : Diocesan
Pastoral Council meeting will be held on Sunday 30th
March 2008. All the
commission Secretaries and other members are requested
to keep
the day free for the meeting.
· Ear-
marked Collections:
GOOD
FRIDAY Collection for campaign against hunger and disease, for
Holy places.
HOLY
SATURDAY for the Diocesan Education Fund for the
Poor.
Wishing
you all a fruitful Holy Week and
Happy Easter.
Yours
Sincerely,
†
Robert Michael Miranda
Bishop
of Gulbarga
Programme
in March 08: Kindly mark in your calendar
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02-03
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Pastoral Visit – St.
Ann’s Church , Bijapur.
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11
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Commission
Secretaries Meeting
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13
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Recollection for
all followed by Chrism Mass
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18
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Palm Sunday
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20
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Maundy Thursday
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21
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Good Friday
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22
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Easter Vigil
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23
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Easter
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30
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Diocesan Pastoral Council
Meeting.
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