News Letter Cuddapah Diocese

February - 2020 1 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese

“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20) Dear Brothers and Sisters, This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favourable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mys- tery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us in the measure that we are open to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity. 1. The paschal mystery as the basis of conversion Christian joy flows from listening to, and accepting, the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This kerygma sums up the mystery of a love “so real, so true, so concrete, that it invites us to a relationship of openness and fruitful dialogue” (Christus Vivit, 117). Whoever believes this message rejects the lie that our life is ours to do with as we will. Rather, life is born of the love of God our Father, from his desire to grant us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). If we listen instead to the tempting voice of the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44), we risk sinking into the abyss of absurdity, and experiencing hell here on earth, as all too many tragic events in the personal and collective human experience sadly bear witness. In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let your- self be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew” (No. 123). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.

February - 2020 3 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese 2. The urgency of conversion It is good to contemplate more deeply the paschal mystery through which God’s mercy has been bestowed upon us. Indeed, the experience of mercy is only possible in a “face to face” rela- tionship with the crucified and risen Lord “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20), in a heartfelt dialogue between friends. That is why prayer is so important in Lent. Even more than a duty, prayer is an expres- sion of our need to respond to God’s love which always precedes and sustains us. Christians pray in the knowledge that, although unworthy, we are still loved. Prayer can take any number of different forms, but what truly matters in God’s eyes is that it penetrates deep within us and chips away at our hardness of heart, in order to convert us ever more fully to God and to his will. In this favourable season, then, may we allow ourselves to be led like Israel into the desert (cf. Hos 2:14), so that we can at last hear our Spouse’s voice and allow it to resound ever more deeply within us. The more fully we are engaged with his word, the more we will experience the mercy he freely gives us. May we not let this time of grace pass in vain, in the foolish illusion that we can control the times and means of our conver- sion to him. 3. God’s passionate will to dialogue with his children The fact that the Lord once again offers us a favourable time for our conversion should never be taken for granted. This new opportunity ought to awaken in us a sense of gratitude and stir us from our sloth. Despite the sometimes tragic pres- ence of evil in our lives, and in the life of the Church and the world, this opportunity to change our course expresses God’s unwavering will not to interrupt his dialogue of salvation with us. In the crucified Jesus, who knew no sin, yet for our sake was made to be sin (cf. 2 Cor 5:21), this saving will led the Father to burden his Son with the weight of our sins, thus, in the expression of Pope Benedict XVI, “turning God against himself” (Deus Caritas Est, 12). For God also loves his enemies (cf. Mt 5:4348). The dialogue that God wishes to establish with each of us through the paschal mystery of his Son has nothing to do with empty chatter, like that attributed to the ancient inhabitants of Athens, who “spent their time in nothing except

February - 2020 4 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). Such chatter, determined by an empty and superficial curiosity, characterizes worldliness in every age; in our own day, it can also result in improper use of the media. 4. A richness to be shared, not kept for oneself Putting the paschal mystery at the centre of our lives means feeling compassion towards the wounds of the crucified Christ present in the many innocent victims of wars, in attacks on life, from that of the unborn to that of the elderly, and various forms of violence. They are likewise present in environmental disasters, the unequal distribution of the earth’s goods, human trafficking in all its forms, and the unbridled thirst for profit, which is a form of idolatry. Today too, there is a need to appeal to men and women of good will to share, by almsgiving, their goods with those most in need, as a means of personally participating in the building of a better world. Chari- table giving makes us more human, whereas hoarding risks making us less human, imprisoned by our own selfishness. We can and must go even fur- ther, and consider the structural aspects of our economic life. For this rea- son, in the midst of Lent this year, from 26 to 28 March, I have convened a meeting in Assisi with young economists, entrepreneurs and change-mak- ers, with the aim of shaping a more just and inclusive economy. As the Church’s magisterium has often repeated, political life represents an eminent form of charity (cf. Pius XI, Address to the Italian Federation of Catholic University Students, 18 December 1927). The same holds true for eco- nomic life, which can be approached in the same evangelical spirit, the spirit of the Beatitudes. I ask Mary Most Holy to pray that our Lenten celebra- tion will open our hearts to hear God’s call to be reconciled to himself, to fix our gaze on the paschal mystery, and to be converted to an open and sin- cere dialogue with him. In this way, we will become what Christ asks his disciples to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-14). -

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1. Clergy Recollection at Deanery Level: The Clergy recollection for the month of February will be at Deanery level. The Deans are requested to make arrangements for the Recollection. I request all the priests to attend the recollection without fail. 2. New Appointments: Rev.Fr.Gali Arogyaraj is temporarily appointed as the Parish Priest of Amagampalli and Rev.Fr.P.Kirity is temporarily appointed as the Parish Priest of Ponnathota. Wishing you every success and God's blessings in your ministry. 3. Missionary Holy Childhood Sunday on 9th February 2020: "Children are our present rather than the future: it is in our care to make them experience the joy, prayer and sharing even in difficulties. And with a truly universal spirit: I would like to remind you that, during the earthquake in central , children in the Central African Republic, a very poor country, gave up a meal to help their peers affected": says Sister Roberta Tremarelli to Agenzia Fides, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Childhood Society - one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies - on the eve of 6 January, solemnity of the Epiphany, where in many countries of the world special Missionary Childhood Day or Missionary Day of Children is celebrated. The religious explains to Fides: "Missionary Childhood Day is born with the purpose of having a specific day during the year in which children in all the countries of the world are involved in a special way. It is celebrated in different periods and forms, according to the calendar and the contexts, with the aim of educating them to the missionary spirit of attention towards other children, through prayer, offerings and sharing". 3. Ash Wednesday on 26th February 2020: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. This year begins the season of Grace on 26th February, 2020. It is a season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection.

February - 2020 6 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese Ash Wednesday marks the onset of the Lent, the 40 days period of fasting and abstinence. It is also known as the "Day of Ashes". So called because on that day at Church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross. Putting a 'cross' mark on the forehead was in imitation of the spiritual mark or seal that is put on a Christian in baptism. This is when the newly born Christian is delivered from slavery to sin and the devil, and made a slave of righteousness and Christ (Rom. 6:3-18). This can also be held as an adoption of the way 'righteousness' are described in the book of Revelation, where we come to know about the servants of God. The reference to the sealing of the servants of God for their protection in Revelation is an allusion to a parallel passage in Ezekiel, where Ezekiel also sees a sealing of the servants of God for their protection.

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FEBRUARY- 2020 1st Saturday P.M. : Travel to Marllapalli 2nd Sunday A.M. : Feast of Kanukamatha at Marllapalli 3rd Monday A.M. : Blessing of New Presbytery at Mother Teresa Parish, Badvel-II. P.M. : Blessing of Church at Pangavandlapalli, Badvel –II 6th Thursday : Travel to Guntur 7th Friday P.M. : Centenary of Sister Mary Glowry’s arrival (Servant of God) in Guntur. 8th Saturday A.M. : Blessing the wedding of Mr.Rajaiah’s son at Ravipadu, Guntur. 9th Sunday : Bishop’s return to Kadapa 11th Tuesday A.M : Feast of Our Lady of Lourdhu’s, Patron of Cathedral, Mariapuram P.M : Bishop’s travel to Guntur 12th Wednesday A.M : Blessing of School Building at Atmakur, Guntur P.M : Bishop’s Travel to Bangalore 13th to 20th : CBCI General Body Meetings in Bangalore 21st Friday A.M. : Jubilee Celebration in Emani 22nd Saturday : Bishop’s return to Kadapa. 23rd Sunday A.M. : Holy Mass & Confirmations at Pakala. P.M. : Feast Day Mass at Tirupathi 25th Tuesday A.M. : Blessing of Chapel at Gurrampadu Village, Chennur. 26th Wednesday A.M : Ash Wednesday - Holy Mass at Tekurpet 28th Friday : Not Available 29th Saturday P.M : Bishop’s travel to Guntur

MARCH 2020 2nd to 7th : TCBC Meetings at Hyderabad. 11th Wednesday : Bishop’s return to Kadapa. February - 2020 8 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese

Dear Fathers and Sisters, Greetings from Rev.Fr.D.Susai Antony  As you are aware that the financial year comes to an end by 31st March 2020 kindly submit your statement of accounts supported by bills and vouchers systematically for all the projects and other payments received from the Diocesan Finance Office by 15th March 2020.  There will be no payments in March 2020.  Kindly note that the bills and vouchers dated for the financial year April 2019 to March 2020 will not be valid for the next financial year. The payments received during this current financial year cannot be carried over or spent for the next financial year. The unspent amount taken for the projects during this financial year should be handed over to the Diocesan Office by 15th March 2020.  There will be an annual auditing for all the payments taken for the projects during this financial year and for all the local accounts for all the parishes, institutions and English Medium Schools of the Diocese in the month of April 2020. Hence kindly get ready with your statements of accounts supported by bills and vouchers.  May I request all the parish priests to send the Jyothirmai Sunday Collections and Holy Childhood Collections to the Diocesan Office as early as possible Mass intentions As per the a priest is entitled for only one stipend per day even if he has celebrated more than one mass a day. Therefore all of us are reminded to submit extra masses, bination Masses even if it is in small numbers to the diocesan finance ministry. These Masses will very much useful to the increasing number of the priests in the diocese. Mass intentions received S.No Date Name of The Donor No of Masses Mass stipend 1 15-01-2020 St. Anthony’s Church, 30 Rs.3,000.00 Renigunta Total Rs.3,000.00 Thank you for your kind cooperation, Rev. Fr. Susai Antony. Financial Administrator February - 2020 9 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese

On 5th January 2020, His Lordship Most Rev. Gali Bali blessed and opened the newly chapel at Mutharayapalli of Karunagiri Parish. His Excellency celebrated the Holy Mass and preached about the importance of the chapel in the village. It is a great blessing for the village where God dwells among them to protect from all the dangers. He also appreciated the Parish Priest Rev.Fr.L.Peter Prabhakar and Rev.Fr.G.Chinnappa, Our Lady of Sorrow Sisters and village elders and youth for their hard work and meaningful celebration. On 8th January 2020, His Excellency Most Rev. Gali Bali blessed and opened newly built presbytery at Paluru Mission. His Lordship celebrated the Holy Mass and in his homily, his explained that when priest is available to the faithful the work of redemption will be more active especially visiting the sick and administering the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. He appreciated Rev.Fr.P.Mahimadas and village community for their cooperation and their active participation. On 11th January 2020, His Lordship Most Rev.Gali Bali celebrated the feast day mass of Mary the Mother of God at Sadum. He explained about the Motherhood of Mary as a example to all the people to grow in their faith. He also appreciated Rev.Fr. Jaya Prakash, the Parish Priest and all the committee members for their hard work to celebrate the Feast in the meaningful manner. And in the evening His Lordship visited Ashram at Sadum and blessed the newly renovated chapel at Ashram. He appreciated Rev.Fr. M.D.Prasad Rao for his hard work and in beautifying the chapel in prayerful and spiritual symbolic structure. On 12th January 2020, His Excellency Most Rev. Gali Bali visited the B. Koduru Mission and administered the sacrament of confirmation. He also visited the other substations and blessed the chapels. He appreciated Rev.Fr. February - 2020 10 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese P. Devadas for his active ministry in the mission parish for the growth of the community. On 15th January 2020, His Lordship Most Rev. Gali Bali had a meeting with deans of the five deaneries of the Diocese. He discussed with them various aspects of pastoral activities for the growth of the faith in the present situations. On 19th January 2020, His Excellency Most Rev. Gali Bali visited Prakashampalli mission Parish and celebrated the Holy Mass. He preached about the growth of the faith in the day today life. He encouraged the people to have a strong faith to be witnesses in this present world. He also appreciated Rev.Fr. T. Ravindranadh Jose and Christu Jyothi Sisters for their hard work and active ministry in the mission Parish. On 30th January 2020, His Lordship Most Rev. Gali Bali celebrated feast day mass of Infant Jesus at Masapet Church. He preached about the progress of wisdom and spiritual life of the Child Jesus. We too must cultivate the same spirit in our day today lives to grow in wisdom and spirituality. He appreciated Rev.Fr. S. Paul Prakash the parish priest and assistant Rev.Fr. S. Jayapaul, JMJ Sisters and committee member for their hard work and active cooperation for the success of the feast. On 31st January 2020, His Excellency Most Rev. Gali Bali celebrated the feast day Mass of St.Don Bosco at St. Antony's ITI, Kadapa. He explained about the role model of St. John Bosco for the youth. As he guided many young people to Jesus, resulting in young saints such as St. Dominic Savio. In training his teachers, Don Bosco insisted on kindness and familiar presence; spiritually accompanying young people by forming their will and character. The teachers were to earn the student's trust and give a clear Christian witness of intimacy with God in their own life. Don Bosco was ever-mindful of young people's need for joy, fun and laughter. He appreciated Rev.Fr. Mariadas and community for their hard work for the meaningful celebration.

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My dear Most Revered and Bishops of TCBC

This is to inform you that Fr. Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus has appointed Fr.Koppala Abraham Stanislaus SJ in my place as the Provincial of the Andhra Jesuit Province covering the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The handing over and taking over will take place in January 2020 and the exact date of this event will be communicated to you as soon as it will be decided. I request you kindly to bless Fr.K.Abraham Stanislaus and give your fullest collaboration, cooperation and support to fulfill the ministry of his leadership as Provincial. I take this opportunity to thank every one of you for all the helps and guidance which I received cooperation, support and prayers. Requesting your blessings and prayers for me and Andhra Jesuit Province. God Bless.

Yours Devoutly in Christ Fr. P.S. Amalraj, SJ

The Cardinal of Manila, is the new of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The appointment by Pope Francis was announced on Sunday 8 December. The current Prefect, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, assumes the post of of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher in place of Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien, who resigned in April 2019 and turned 80. Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle was born on 21 June 1957 in Manila to a Catholic family - his father of Tagalog ethnicity and his mother of Chinese origin - and was ordained priest in 1982. He studied in the United States where he obtained his doctorate in theology with a thesis on the evolution of the notion of episcopal collegiality since the Second Vatican Council. He February - 2020 12 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese spent seven years in Rome to deepen his studies and in 1997 joined the International Theological Commission. After serving as parish priest at the Cathedral of Imus, at the age of 44 he was consecrated bishop of that diocese by Saint John Paul II in October 2001. He dedicated himself in particular to youth ministry and inaugurated the first meeting of young Asians in Imus. On 13 October 2011 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila and made him a cardinal thirteen months later, in November 2012. In addition to leading the Manila Archdiocese, Cardinal Tagle is President of Caritas Internationalis and the Catholic Biblical Federation. With this choice, announced a few days after the end of his trip to Thailand and Japan, Pope Francis once again shows great attention to the Asian continent. With the designation of Cardinal Tagle, which follows a few weeks after that of Spanish Jesuit Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, two new heads of department will be installed at the beginning of 2020 in the .

Greetings from Caritas India! During the last year’s Lenten Season, Caritas India had made concerted efforts to actively promote the Lenten Campaign across the country. As an immediate fruit of this efforts, 69 Dioceses had the official Diocesan launch of the Lenten Campaign by the respective Archbishops and Bishops and 7 States had State level launch of the Lenten Campaign on one of the Sundays of Lent in the year 2019. This also helped in sensitizing the Church community on the Campaign against ”Hunger and Disease’. I also recall with gratitude the decision taken by CBCI’s Standing Committee in its May 2019 Meeting that all the Catholic Dioceses of our country will officially launch Caritas India’s Lenten Campaign on the 1st Sunday of Lent every year. In preparation for the Lenten Campaign 2020, Caritas India has made concrete plans to take forward the Lenten Campaign more extensively and

February - 2020 13 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese fruitfully. Hence, this year, the Management and all the Staff of Caritas India and the Directors of the Regional Fora will assist the Diocesan Directors of Social Apostolate to plan the Lenten Campaign launch by the Archbishops and Bishops in their respective Dioceses. In this regard, the Management and the Staff of Caritas India and the Regional Forum Directors will personally visit different Dioceses to be part of the Campaign launch. Caritas India wishes to reach out to as many parishioners as possible with the Message of this year’s theme for the Lenten Campaign – Sustain Life: Sustainable Livelihood. Caritas India would be sending the promotional materials of the Lenten Campaign to each Diocese/Diocesan Social Service Society. We have also prepared the Lenten Liturgy Booklet with Mass Introduction, Homily and Prayer of the Faithful for the five Sundays of Lent of 2020. Hence, may I request Your Eminence/Your Grace/Your Excellency to kindly extend your support and co-operation in promoting Caritas India’s Annual Lenten Campaign in your Archdiocese/Diocese and organize a Diocesan level launch of the same on one of the Sundays of Lent this year, preferably the first Sunday, by involving the Lay Faithful of your Archdiocese/Diocese. I also request you to encourage the Priests in your Diocese to use the Liturgy Booklet compiled by Caritas India as it is based on the theme of this year. As we commence the Holy Season of Lent, remembering the passion and death of our Lord, together with our own reparation and penance, let us also remind ourselves and our communities of the needs of the poor and our call to reach out to them in Christian charity and solidarity. Yours in the Good Shepherd,

Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, CSC Chairman, Caritas India

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Prayerful greetings from the Divine Retreat Centre. I am pleased to inform you that we are conducting a special INNER HEALING RETREAT (in English) for Priests and Religious at the Divine Retreat Centre led by Rev.Fr. Jose Prakash, Rev.Fr. John Prince Puthenpurackal VC, and myself, Fr.Augustine Vallooran VC. The retreat begins at 6PM on Sunday, 19th April 2020 and ends by 2PM on Friday, 24th April 2020. May I request to announce the above said retreat in the Diocesan Bulletin. We are happy to invite the Priests and Religious of your Diocese to this forthcoming Retreat Programme. Yours Obediently Fr.Augustine Vallooran VC

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MULTIPURPOSE SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY OF CUDDAPAH DIOCESE Dear Fathers, Sisters, Brothers... Prayerful Greetings to you from Fr.L.Arogyaraj, the Director of MPSSS. LEADERSHIP TRAINING Name of the Program : Workshop on Leadership Training Date : 4st January 2020 Place : Proddature Participants : Women Organized by : APSSS

DISSEMINATION STRATEGIC PLAN OF CARITAS INDIA Name of the Program : One Day Seminar Date : 9th January 2020 Place : Ramanthapur, Hyderabad Participants : Coordinators and Director Organized by : AP/TS Forum and Caritas India

February - 2020 17 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese GENERAL BODY MEETING Name of the Program : General Body Meeting Date : 10th January 2020 Place : Ramanthapur, Hyderabad Participants : Director Organized by : AP/TS Forum

WORKSHOP FOR THE WOMEN Name of the Program : Training to the women Date : 11th January 2020 Place : Yarraguntla Participants : Women Organized by : APSSS

SANKRANTHI CELEBRATIONS WITH CHILDREN Name of the Program : Sankranthi Celebrations with ragpicking children Date : 14th January 2020 Place : Proddature Participants : Children Organized by : MPSSS

February - 2020 18 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese REPUBLIC DAY Name of the Program : Republic Day Date : 26th January 2020 Place : Proddature Participants : Children Organized by : MPSSS

LEADERSHIP TRAINING TO THE WOMEN Name of the Program : Training to the women Date : 27th January 2020 Place : Mydkur Participants : Women Organized by : APSSS

TEAM: TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVE MORE I together with the staff take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for giving us this opportunity to implement these developmental activities in different parishes and also we appreciate the cooperation of the priests, the sisters, the animators and above all the people. We remain ever grateful to all the benefactors who support our good work for the welfare of the people. We extend an open invitation to all the priests, sisters involved in the ministry of social service to come to the office with the needs of your parish and institutions so that we could plan the activities that really benefit the poor in our care. FR.L.AROGYARAJ, MSW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MPSSS February - 2020 19 News Letter Cuddapah Diocese

02. Rev.Fr. Jaku Jayaraj 08. Rev. Fr. Chendumalle Anthony 12. Rev.Fr. Govindu Lourdu Chaitnya Roopesh 24. Rev.Fr. Paul Balasamy Mathias 25. Rev.Fr. Michael Susainathan 27. Rev.Fr. Pothireddy Swaminadhan

18. Rev.Fr.Pasupula Suneel Kumar 20. Rev.Fr. Paul Balasamy Mathias 20. Rev.Fr. Maria Susai James 20. Most Rev.Poola Antthony, Bishop of Kurnool 20. Rev.Fr. Lingala Sarveswara 22. Rev.Fr. Pendlikatla Abraham 22. Rev.Fr. Guvvala Manohar Raj 22. Rev.Fr. Gadikota Manohar 22. Rev.Fr. Nelaturi Vara Prasad 22. Rev.Fr. Sagili Ravi Chandra 22. Rev.Fr. Attluri Jesu Ramesh Babu 22. Rev.Fr. Yennam Anthony Reddy

12th February - Rev.Fr. C.S. Ignatius 19th February - Rev. Fr. Augustine Nadayam

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Universal Prayer intention: Listen to the Migrants' Cries We pray that the cries of our migrant brothers and sisters, victims of criminal trafficking, may be heard and considered.

02. Presentation of the Lord- Feast: Day of Consecrated Life 03. St. Blaise & St.Ansgar 04. St. John De Britto 05. St. Agatha 06. St. Paul Miki & Companions 07. St. Gonsalo Garcia 08. St. Jerome Emiliani & St. Josephine Bakhita 09. 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Holy Childhood Sunday 10. St.Scholastica 11. Our Lady of Lourdes: World Day of the Sick 14. St. Cyril & St.Methodius 16. 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time 17. The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order 18. St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara 21. St. Peter Damian 22. The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, Feast 23. 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time 26. ASH WEDNESDAY

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