A Saintly Family
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Vol. 31 No. 6 October 2015 aintly amily Yorick Fonseca In a move that is sure to bringA joy to theS hearts of ThisF upbringing had a deep impact on their five the Theresian family, Pope Francis will canonise daughters who all joined religious life: Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin, parents of our 1. Marie, a.k.a. Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart patron St. Thérèse of Lisieux, at a ceremony at of the Carmelite order in Lisieux the Vatican on Oct.18. The canonisation will 2. Pauline, a.k.a. Mother Agnes of Jesus of the mark the first time that parents have ever been Carmelite order in Lisieux elevated together as a couple to sainthood. 3. Léonie, a.k.a. Sr. Françoise-Thérèse of the Visitation Sisters at Caen The event takes place less than three weeks after 4. Céline, a.k.a. Sr. Genevieve of the Holy the Oct.1 feast of their daughter St.Thérèse, Face, at the Carmelite order in Lisieux doctor of the Church and patroness of the 5. Marie-Françoise-Thérèse (later St. Missions. It also takes place during the General Thérèse) of the Carmelite order in Lisieux Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family Zelie Martin died of in Rome which runs from breast cancer in 1877 at Oct. 4-25. the age of 45, leaving Louis to care for their Louis Martin, a jeweller five young daughters and watchmaker, and including Thérèse who Marie Azélie Guérin, a was just four at the time. lace-maker, were devout Her husband Louis died French Catholics who in 1894 at the age of 70, had each considered a after suffering two religious vocation before strokes in 1889 followed marriage but had either by a prolonged illness. not qualified or been discouraged. They were married in 1858 and lived in celibacy for a year. Louis and Zelie were beatified in Oct. 2008 by They later had nine children but lost four in Pope Benedict XVI. A miracle attributed to the infancy. couple was recognized on March 18 this year by Pope Francis, who approved the decree for their As parents they raised their children in a very canonisation at a June 27 consistory of Bishops Catholic environment which included daily at the Apostolic Palace. Mass, the strict observance of fasts, and prayers in keeping with the rhythm of the liturgical year. The canonisation which takes place during the The family also practiced charity, visiting the Synod on the Family highlights the important sick and elderly, and welcoming strangers to role that Catholic parents play in the human and their table. spiritual upbringing of their children. Proclamation of the kingdom of God is the primary mandate of the universal Church. The final call of ST. THERESA’S CHURCH, BANDRA Jesus was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all PARISH PRIEST: nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father Fr. Bernard Rodrigues SVD and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them ASST. PARISH PRIESTS: The Circle of Life to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Fr. Jolly Mudakkampurath SVD Fr. Nicolau D’Costa SVD (Principal) Raising my two sons wasn't exactly smooth (Matt 28:19-20) Fr. Dinesh Damor SVD (Asst. Principal) Fr. George Crasta SVD sailing, yet there were some magical experiences as they grew up. I always felt so blessed to have each of The mission of the Church is, in reality, the EDITORIAL TEAM: Sheila Fernandes (Editor) them in my life. Graduating to a grandparent a little continuation of Christ's earthly ministry. Jesus Yorick Fonseca (Co-Editor) over a year ago, however, was like being taken to a inaugurated God's kingdom on earth in this way: Celia Williams whole new level of magic. “He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, ARTWORK: Kevin Ambosta to heal the broken-hearted, to bring deliverance to PRINTER: St. Paul’s Press, Bandra. Unfortunately, as long-distance grandparents, we miss the day-to-day details of our little grand-daughter. We the captives, sight to the blind and liberty to the PUBLISHED: Fr. Bernard Rodrigues, SVD on behalf of do try to communicate with her via a computer screen oppressed.” (Luke 4:18-19) St. Theresa’s Church, Bandra (W), in our effort to establish the foundation for a strong Mumbai 400 050. Tel: 26407891, 26511901 Fr. Bernard Rodrigues, SVD Email:[email protected] long-term relationship, but it's not the same as being Secondly, to serve as a community of worshipers able to hug, kiss, snuggle or tickle her in person. Face WEEKDAY MASSES: time matters, though I admit that the internet is an and to manifest the presence and love of Jesus. “Where two or three are gathered in my English: 6:15am, 7:00am, 8:00am & 7:00pm. name I am there in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20) The community is founded on the enormous improvement over mere phone calls, SUNDAY MASSES: especially when the little ones cannot carry on a virtue of Love. “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one English: Saturday: 7:00pm. conversation. Sunday: 7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am & 6:00pm. another. (John 13:35) Malyalam: 11:00am. Hindi: 4:30pm. Often I hear grandparents who live in the same house Thirdly, to influence the world with the ideals of the Lord. “You Sunday School, Confirmation Class, as their offspring complain that, although they adore First Holy Communion Class the grandkids, they frequently feel exhausted and put every Sunday after the 8:30am Children’s Mass. are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavour, what use upon. There are also grandparents who relocate to be does it have?” Further, “You are the light of the world. A city Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour: near the grandkids and become an integral part of their built on a hill top cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5:13-14). “Let your Wednesdays after 7:00am & 7:00pm Mass. daily lives, but end up pining for their former lives and light so shine before men that they may see your good works and CONFESSIONS: friends. glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) Wednesdays: 6:45am & 6:30pm, First Friday: 6:30pm & Saturdays: 6:30pm. Then again there are grandparents who live next door BAPTISMS: to the grandkids and make them the central focus of Every Christian is called to participate in the Mission of Christ by 2nd & 4th Sunday, 10:00am. Mass their daily lives. Once the kids start school, make friends, and get involved in all sorts of activities, they virtue of his or her baptism. Thus, every Christian is a missionary, OFFICE TIMINGS: an evangelizer for Christ. Mission Sunday is just a reminder of 9:00am to 11:00am & crib about feeling left out. this call. 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Closed on Sundays & Bank Holidays This is the natural course of things explain MARRIAGE: psychiatrists who advise grandparents to love the kids, Regarding marriage formalities meet dote on them, and be there for them to the degree that the priest on duty well in advance. one can, but in the meantime not to forget they too Bring your latest Baptism Certificate (issued not more than six months earlier) should have and enjoy their own lives and that you too and copy of Marriage Preparation Course have a life. Thursday Certificate. 22nd October Senior Citizens Mass-cum-Fellowship BURIAL: Whatever be the joys or disappointments of Copies of Death Certificate & grandparenthood, the aim should be to leave behind Municipal Burial permission required. memories which will help our grandchildren on their 20th - 22nd Outreach program organized by Spirit of Love Prayer Group and conducted by journey of life. November Rev. Dr. Augustine Vallooran VC & team from Divine Retreat Centre, Potta. www.sttheresasbandra.org Send in your suggestions / feedback to us at Sheila Fernandes the parish office or at [email protected] October 2015 2 3 October 2015 Proclamation of the kingdom of God is the primary mandate of the universal Church. The final call of ST. THERESA’S CHURCH, BANDRA Jesus was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all PARISH PRIEST: nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father Fr. Bernard Rodrigues SVD and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them ASST. PARISH PRIESTS: The Circle of Life to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Fr. Jolly Mudakkampurath SVD Fr. Nicolau D’Costa SVD (Principal) Raising my two sons wasn't exactly smooth (Matt 28:19-20) Fr. Dinesh Damor SVD (Asst. Principal) Fr. George Crasta SVD sailing, yet there were some magical experiences as they grew up. I always felt so blessed to have each of The mission of the Church is, in reality, the EDITORIAL TEAM: Sheila Fernandes (Editor) them in my life. Graduating to a grandparent a little continuation of Christ's earthly ministry. Jesus Yorick Fonseca (Co-Editor) over a year ago, however, was like being taken to a inaugurated God's kingdom on earth in this way: Celia Williams whole new level of magic. “He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, ARTWORK: Kevin Ambosta to heal the broken-hearted, to bring deliverance to PRINTER: St. Paul’s Press, Bandra. Unfortunately, as long-distance grandparents, we miss the day-to-day details of our little grand-daughter. We the captives, sight to the blind and liberty to the PUBLISHED: Fr. Bernard Rodrigues, SVD on behalf of do try to communicate with her via a computer screen oppressed.” (Luke 4:18-19) St.