ARCHDIOCESE OF GANDHINAGAR Dharmacharya Nivas, Shantivan, Pethapur, Gandhinagar – 382 610, State () Tel. 079-23227541. email : [email protected] Chronicle; December- 2018

OFFICIAL

With great joy I announce the “Year of Rosary” for the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar from 1st January to 8th December 2019. Let us all express our devotion to our beloved heavenly Mother, who walks along with us in our pilgrimage on this earth, that she may help us to grow in the likeness of her Son, Jesus Christ.

 I have appointed Rev. Fr. Nixon Macwan S.J. as the Dean of Deanery

 I have appointed Rev. Fr. Arul Britto as my Secretary

 I have also appointed Deacon Suresh and Deacon Abhay for their diaconate ministry in Premavtar Isu Mandir, Gandhinagar and Catholic Ashram, Vadgam respectively. We wish them all the best for their ministry.  2nd December will be celebrated as Communio India Sunday. Please be generous towards this cause.  I will be away from 7th to 13th January 2019 for the CCBI meeting at Chennai. Rev. Fr. Teles Fernandes will work on my behalf during my absence. You may approach him in case of need.  Advent is the time to prepare for the great feast of Christmas. Let us eagerly thirst for Jesus so that He may be born in our hearts. He wants that we change our lives for the better and become new persons with HIS heart. During Christmas let us be extra generous towards our workers and especially towards the poor and needy. If we truly want to worship Him, let us be kind to the poor for He is very much present in them.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a Joy-filled 2019.

+ Archbishop Thomas Macwan

Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers, True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all

things, Lord of heaven and the earth. She made a In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a request for a church to be built on the site, and humble Native American Mexican peasant submitted her wish to the local Bishop. When the named Juan Diego at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Bishop hesitated, and requested her for a sign, what is now Mexico City. She identified herself the Mother of God obeyed without delay or as the ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the question to the Church's local Bishop, and sent

her native messenger to the top of the hill in mid- celebrated on December 12th. In 1999, Pope December to gather an assortment of roses forthe John Paul II, in his homily during the Solemn Bishop. After complying to the Bishop's request Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a sign, She also left for us an image of herself in Mexico City, declared the date of December imprinted miraculously on the native's tilma, a the 12th as a Liturgical Holy Day for the whole poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have continent. During the same visit Pope John Paul deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of II entrusted the cause of life to her loving decay 486 years later and still defies all scientific protection, and placed under her motherly care explanations of its origin. the innocent lives of children, It apparently even reflects especially those who are in in Her eyes what was in danger of not being born. front of her in 1531. Why have I narrated these Her message of love and details? There is a special compassion, and her reason! universal promise of help Rev. Fr. Alex Clement, a and protection to all senior archdiocesan priest mankind, as well as the who completes 25 years of story of the apparitions, his priesthood this year, had are described in the "Nican been out of the diocese for Mopohua", a 16th century most of his life as a priest. He document written in the is qualified as a counselor native Nahuatl language. and his services were utilized There is reason to believe by the CBCI at the National that at Tepeyac Mary came Vocation Service Centre in her glorified body, and (NVSC), Pune. While at her actual physical hands Pune, he was sent by the rearranged the roses in centre to do his PhD in the Juan Diego’s tilma, which United States which he makes this apparition very successfully completed and special. An incredible list came back to the centre. of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed During his stay in the States he had the to Her. Yearly, between 18 - 20 million pilgrims opportunity to visit the famous shrine of Our visit the Basilica, making it Christianity's most Lady of Guadalupe at Mexico. He was touched visited sanctuary and the world’s third most- by the faith of the simple people of South visited sacred site! Altogether 25 popes have America. officially honored Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was inspired with the thought that if Mother His Holiness John Paul II visited her Sanctuary Mary could intervene and bring a whole four times: on his first apostolic trip outside continent, which comprises of tribal only, to her Rome as Pope in 1979, and again in 1990, 1999 Son Jesus, would she not do the same with her and 2002.The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is children in our own archdiocese especially in the tribal districts? He presented this thought by

simply telling me that he wants to start a shrine for a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I was in honour of Mother Mary somewhere in the filled with extreme joy. I took him to my room archdiocese without mentioning the title of and showed him the statue. He too was thrilled! Mother Mary and about his experience in With that inner joy we proceeded to Kathvath to Mexico. I sincerely expressed to him that I too choose the spot for the shrine. After due was searching for a priest to start a shrine in discernment, the archdiocese began to dream of honour of Our Lady somewhere in the starting a Shrine in honour of Our Lady of archdiocese. And lo, the Lord had send Fr. Guadalupe and a healing retreat centre at Alex!” Kadvath, situated on the Himmatnagar – Udaipur highway just before the bridge that leads to It was Fr. Alex who made a special trip from Nanakantharia. It is a beautiful place surrounded Pune to Gujarat in November, 2017, to see and by small hills. After completing his term in Pune, decide the place for the shrine. He met me in Fr. Alex started God’s mission in Kadvath from Mirzapur to discuss about the matter and thought August, 2017. We have succeeded in of Kadvath, a small village of Phadiya, in the constructing a little chapel attached with an newly created parish from Nanakantharia. During equally small room for the director, Fr. Alex. our meeting he expressed his worries regarding getting a statue for the shrine. I was not aware of Fr. Jeyaraj, the parish priest of Phadiya, worked which statue he wanted and so I enquired from strenuously to acquire the various permissions to him. Straight away he said that he wanted the construct the rectory at Rangpur and build a wall statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For me it was around the property. The Archdiocese is looking a big surprise and a thrilling moment! The reason forward to start an English medium school at is that during my visit to the USA in May, 2008, Rangpur for our tribal children. Rangpur too is I had procured a beautiful statue of Our Lady of situated on the highway. 12th of December is the Guadalupe. Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is the day that we have decided to inaugurate the I was attracted towards her especially seeing the rectory and the chapel. The statue of Our Lady of deep faith of the Mexicans in the US. My friend Guadalupe will be installed on this day and we Fr. Rudolf Crasta in Lubbock diocese of Texas will start the first feast day celebration in honour State had a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe in of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Kathvath. Prior to his rectory. I desperately wanted it. He spoke this, a novena will be conducted in Phadiya with the donor whether he could hand it over to Parish Church. The people are very excited about me. The donor was very generous that she the whole matter. This is the place from where packed a new statue and kept it straight away at hails Fr. Shankar and a number of religious the airport for me to take it! sisters. The celebrations commences at 9.30 a.m. On my return to India, I placed the statue in my first at Kadvath and then at Rangpur. room at Mirzapur. A number of priests had come Let us pray for the success of this new mission. It to meet me in my room for various reasons but would be very encouraging if large number of none of them had ever asked me that they wanted Fathers and Sisters would come for this spiritual the statue. I kept on asking Mother Mary, event. Looking forward for you presence. “Where are you planning to go?” I was wondering where she would be going to! Hence, +Archbishop Thomas Macwan when Fr. Alex mentioned that he was searching

“LORD, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE.” (MT; 17: 4)

Archdiocese of Gandhinagar organized the Although the total number was 48, it was a well annual retreat for its priests at Pastoral Center, attended, participated, prayed, meditated, Nadiad from 11th to 16th November, 2018. celebrated retreat on the Holy Eucharist. Usually the Archdiocesan clergy Fr. Gnana Shekhar. joins the Ahmedabad SSS was guiding the diocesan priests for retreat with meaningful their annual retreat. reflection, meditation, This year Archbishop holy hour and Holy Thomas Macwan Eucharist. All spent opened this retreat for qualitative time before Ahmedabad diocesan the Blessed Sacrament priests together with besides common Gandhinagar spiritual exercises. The Archdiocesan priests. retreat energized the Thus 24 priests from priests to be vibrant each diocese ministers of the Holy participated in the Eucharist in Sacrament retreat including and in life. Archbishop Thomas Macwan and Bishop Retnaswamy. -Fr. Xavier James

St. Xavier’s School; Umru-Siddhpur Shines!

Culmination of First Semester with Diwali the trophies and certificates of winners and runners of various competitions. He also celebration; The First Semester of the academic year 2018-2019 came to a culmination distributed gifts to the kids. He thanked the with the celebration of Diwali at St. Xavier’s parents for their support and encouraged them to School, Umru-Siddhpur on 3rd November 2018. come for celebrations on time. He thanked the The programme was managed by the students staff for their constant support. After the themselves and they were well trained by programme when all were enjoying the snacks, teachers. All the parents, staff, students Parent-Teacher-Student Interaction took place participated in the lighting of the lamp. The kids which was a positive one. Thanks be to God for put up splendid dances, recited poems, sang everything. rhymes, told stories for all the people gathered Indian Constitution day was celebrated on th and amused them. Fr. Xavier James gave away 26 November 2018 at St. Xavier’s School,

Umru Siddhpur. All the UKG, First and Second Father was glad to meet the kids and interact standard students memorized the preamble of the with them. They encouraged the children to constitution of India and recited before others. It speak in English. Fr. Teles was given a memento was a great opportunity for the kids to know about our constitution and its importance as citizens of India. They were told that ignorance of the constitution is ignorance of one’s rights and duties as the citizen of India. The kids held up the National flag, book of the Constitution and recited the preamble of the Constitution.

Visit of the pastors: Archbishop Thomas Macwan and Rev. Fr. Teles Fernandes, Vicar General of Gandhinagar and GEBCI Secretary paid a short visit to St. Xavier’s School, umru- which has the inscription of the preamble of the siddhpur on 30th October, 2018. The students Constitution of India. Archbishop gave away the were happy to welcome them and sing songs and certificates to the students who had won talent rhymes and tell stories for them. Archbishop and hunt competitions earlier this year.

-Fr. Xavier James

Though Siddhpur- Umru parish has only seven families and 24 students in the school, yet, it functions like a well established parish and a school. All praise goes to the energetic and active parish priest, Fr. Xavier James. We congratulate him and wish him God’s blessings. - Archbishop Thomas Macwan

CONFIRMED IN CHRIST

“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy bestowed with the gifts and fruits of the Spirit and Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and obligated the children to live life decisively rooted in prophesied”- Acts 19:6 Christ and be a missionary for Christ in all that we do. The Eucharistic th On 18 November 2018, 37 celebration ended with a boys and girls received the dance of praise by the sacrament of confirmation at Prem Avatar Isu Mandir’s the hands of Archbishop Youth. As the boys and Thomas Macwan, at Prem girls were confirmed in Avatar Isu Mandir, Christ , their faith renewed Gandhinagar. The Holy resonated with : “Asking Eucharist was well prepared the Holy Spirit to pour out and the choir added to the upon them a fervent solemnity of the occasion. longing to be saints for Archbishop Thomas Macwan God’s greater glory”. gave a sublime sermon, underlining the true meaning Miss. Gauravi Xavier of being confirmed in Christ, the grace of being

“Let the children come to me”... (Lk; 18:15)

Nanakantharia parish day we had candle organized Faith light procession Formation Seminar for followed by Rosary. Children from 11th to We also had enactment 14th October. A group of of different parables 33 catholic teens from the Bible on the participated in the Faith last day. The Faith Formation camp in Formation Programme which they were ended with the Holy prepared for First Holy Eucharist on 14th Communion and October. Children Confirmation. During returned back home the camp we had Rosary with our children in with rich experience and enthusiasm. - front of the Grotto of Dungri Mata and on the last Ashwinbhai

Catholic Church, Gandhinagar organized the the best ambience we can hope for, to achieve it. teens camp (JOY). It began on the eve of It’s the kind of life that produces positive

3rd November; 2018 at Jeevan Vikas Kendra, Pethapur, with holy mass offered by Archbishop vibrations and we feel good energy which Thomas Macwan. A group of 33 catholic teens encourages us to look to the future with high participated in the camp. The focus of the camp hope. Pure joy may seem like a fleeting emotion, was faith formation. It ended on 6th November but even if we feel it, even for a moment in time, 2018. A peaceful life lived in peaceful bliss, is we can hold on to it. We can bask in it. -Fr.Shaiji

“Childline Se Dosti”

A week long campaign was organized by Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh through Childline 1098 project team from 14/11/2018 to 21/11/2018. Nearly 25 children from Child Care Institution, sector 13 and 35 children from special home, sector 19- Gandhinagar made this campaign radiant and enriching. They had close interaction with District Superintendent Police office. Children tied chidline se dosti belt to all the staff including Mayursingh Chavda (SP) and M.J.Solanki (Dy.SP). The joy of children was to the brim when they were shown guns and rifles at the godown. These children also visited interacted and shared compliments with various Mahila Police stations. At these places too, children tied “chidline se dosti” belt to Police Inspectors and Child Welfare Police Officers of the respective police stations. Filled with joy and enthusiasm they also tied “dosti” belt to the staff of Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board.

Along with the staff of childline, children went ahead with glee to some of the public places like railway station, bus station, PHC, gardens, shopping centres and some of the government departments to discuss, impart awareness of childline 1098 and requesting them to make dosti for child right and protection. Children had memorable time in playing football and other outdoor games at JVK, Pethapur and Randheja village too. It was indeed a precious week of making childline se dosti and letting people know the importance of child help line called CHILDLINE 1098. -Fr. Salvadore Fernandes

“Ignorance of bible is ignorance of god”

Archdiocese of Gandhinagar is organizing BIBLE QUIZ. The main aim of the Bible Quiz is to provide everybody with an opportunity to study the Bible prayerfully and to imbibe the message of the “Word of God”. The competitors are divided into 6 age groups so that everyone may participate in the competitions. The questions for the examinations will be objective type. It is a specialty of this competition. The medium will be in Gujarati and English (NRSV edition) The Bible quiz will help many to get in touch with holy Bible. It will create interest in the Bible. It is a kind of faith formation. Fr. Kiran Gohil will contact you with detailed information. Please encourage your faithful, youth, children, women and elders to take part in the quiz. +Archbishop Thomas Macwan

ADG’ youth shining at CCBI National Youth Conference

The first National Youth conference organized The conference mainly dealt with three parts: by CCBI was held at Shofar Convention Centre, The first was devoted to examining thoroughly Gurugram- Haryana from 21st to 26th of October the actual situation of young people today. The 2018. There were 350 participants from 13 second was related to young people’s Regions of India. The Archdiocese of understanding of the key elements of the theme Gandhinagar was represented by 4 youth, namely and the synod. The third was aimed at engaging Vipul, Sahil, Jessica, Ankita and accompanied by young people in the Church’s formative and Fr. Kiran Gohil and Sr. Pushpa CCV. The focus pastoral activity in India. The activities were

of the conference was mainly on the ongoing done in groups. They were informative and synod on youth in Rome. The theme of the enlightening. The youth were actively involved conference was “Youth, Faith and Vocational in all the activities. They gave valuable Discernment”. Archbishop Vincent Concessao suggestions to make themselves part of the Emeritus of Delhi hoisted the Flag and declared Church, which will be soon published in the form the youth conference open, followed by the of a document. In the evenings, there was a Eucharistic celebration. On the first day Mr. Ravi cultural programme daily based on Biblical gave the inaugural lecture. He said that God has a theme. The Western Region group exhibited our purpose for each one of us. He shared his own culture and heritage through Garba. We also took life experience how God has His own way to active part in the liturgical celebrations. It was a lead us. well planned and organized conference by CCBI youth commission. We all were privileged to participate in this event. We returned back filled with enthusiasm and zeal.

Sr. Pushpa Tailor .ccv

The Fathers of the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (SFX) are rendering a great service to poor in and around Khiloda mission . They are involved in pastoral activities and are running an English medium school for the tribal children. Till now they lived in the school itself. Now they have their own rectory. It shall be inaugu rated on 5th December, 2018. Please pray for this mission. We congratulate them on this occasion!

- Archbishop Thomas Macwan

Archbishop’s Programme for the month of December, 2018

1. Banakanth Deanery Children’s Day celebration at Vadgam 2. St. Francis Xavier Feast Day celebrations at Himmatnagar 3. Feast of St. Francis Xavier 4. Meeting at Himmatnagar to plan for the “Year of the Rosary” 5. Inauguration of the Rectory at Khiloda 6. a.m. Priests’ Personnel Committee meeting at Pethapur p.m. Meeting for the archdiocesan scholarship and prizes at Pethapur 7. Mass for the apostolic school students at Sughad 8. Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady – Convention at Vaghpur, Nana Kantharia 9. a.m. Feast Day Mass and Confirmation at Camp Parish p.m. First Zone meeting of GUJFUR at the Methodist CNI Church in CTM 10. Pastoral Visit at Gandhinagar Parish 11. Mass and culmination of the celebrations of the 125th year of the first baptisms of the local community at Mogri village 12. Feast Day Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Blessing of the Chapel at Kadvath and blessing and inauguration of the Rectory at Rangpur village, Phadiya parish 13. Meeting with Catechist Celine - Neo Catecuminate 14-16 WRBC-WRCC meeting at Jeevan Vikas Seva Ashram, Koshimbi, Bhiwandi 17. Talks to the Jesuits on the pastoral dimension of the Church at Jeevan Dharshan, Vadodara 18. Pastoral visit of the Pethapur community 19. Meeting with Bp. Raphael Thattil, Abp. Stanislaus, Bp. Rethna Swamy and Abp. Thomas at Mirzapur 20-22 Personal recollection at Pethapur 24. Christmas midnight Mass at Siddhpur 25. a.m. Christmas celebrations at Vadgam p.m. at Kheralu 27. Ecumenical Christmas celebrations at 7th Day Adventist School, Maninagar 28. Christmas gathering with the officials at Xavier Residence, Gandhinagar 29. Christmas celebration with the Archdiocesan Seminarians 30. Confirmation at Unteshwari 31. New Year day mass at Khiloda

Kerala Flood Relief Contributions

S.No. Center Name Names Amount 1 Bhileshwarpura Pune Franselian Society (Catholic Church) 10000 2 Bhiloda Catholic Church, Bhiloda 50000 3 CRPF (Chiloda) Central Reserve Police Force 2500 4 Deesa Catholic Church Deesa 19000 5 Deesa St. Xavier's School, Deesa 162503 6 Gandhinagar Catholic Church, G'nagar 46150 7 Gandhinagar Apostolic Carmel Convent 50000 8 Gandhinagar Vedruna Sisters 5000 9 Himmatnagar Catholic Church , H'tnagar 39210 10 Himmatnagar St. Xavier's School, H'tnagar 144750 11 Kadi (Unteshwari) Madhurya Bhavan 5000 12 Kadi (Unteshwari) Sandhya Vishram 5000 13 Kadi (Unteshwari) Mother Pabla 5000 14 Kalol Uttar Gujarat Catholic Kelvani Sangh 60000 15 Khiloda Jagprakash Trust 2750 16 Meghraj Catholic Church, Meghraj 6000 17 Meghraj Shanti Deep, Vedruna 10000 18 Mehsana Catholic Ashram Mehsana 50000 19 Mehsana Xaviers School (English Medium) 37500 20 Mehsana St. Xavier's School-Gujarati medium 6500 21 Modasa Catholic Church, Modasa 46000 22 Nanakantharia Catholic Church, N.K. 22762 23 Nanakantharia The Lusadiya High School, Nanakantharia 20000 24 Pahadiya St. Joseph's Church 5000 25 Catholic Ashram, Palanpur 13000 26 Palanpur Jesus & Mary Convent 15000 27 Radhanpur Catholic Church, R'dnpur 10000 28 Radhanpur Daughters of the Cross 5000 29 Siddhpur Shital Chhaya Charitable Trust 1800 30 Deesa Harold Pinto 10000 31 Pethapur Fr. Victor Pais 10000 32 Gandhinagar Shailesh Christi 5000 33 Gandhinagar Kiritbhai Chauhan 1000 34 Gandhinagar Jaya Robin 500 35 Gandhinagar Desai Sheela 200 36 Gandhinagar James A. Macwan 1500 37 Gandhinagar Natu Chuhan 500 38 Gandhinagar K. A. George 1000 39 Gandhinagar Parmar Ramanbhai 5000 40 Gandhinagar Paul A. P. 3000 41 Gandhinagar Macwan Hasmuk 1000 42 Gandhinagar Regi D'Souza 10000 43 Gandhinagar Madhubhai Christian 1000 44 Gandhinagar Rakesh Shah 5000 45 Gandhinagar Tanuja Kharadi 10000 46 Gandhinagar Manjulaben J. Macwan 2000 47 Gandhinagar Ramanbhai K. Macwan 5000 48 Gandhinagar Fabian Dabhi 2000 49 Gandhinagar Robert Engineer 1000 50 Gandhinagar Gandhinagar Gujarati Catholic Parivar 5000 51 Gandhinagar Paul Dabhi 1000 52 Gandhinagar Xavier Robert 5000 53 Gandhinagar Shanti 4000 54 Gandhinagar Piush Mehta 1000 55 Gandhinagar Manoj & Surekha 5000 56 Gandhinagar Fiona Fernandes 2000 57 Gandhinagar Pradip B. Azad 1000 58 Gandhinagar K. A. Joseph 5000 59 Gandhinagar Ashok T. Vaghela 1000 60 Gandhinagar Janet Antao 3000 61 Gandhinagar Dhirubhai Patelia 5000 62 Gandhinagar Pushpa Doliya 500 63 Gandhinagar Wiliam Joseph Dabhi 1000 64 Gandhinagar E. K. Joseph 2000 65 Gandhinagar Rameshbhai Dabhi 5000 66 Gandhinagar Smith Martin Dabhi 1000 67 Gandhinagar Anjana Robin Patel 5000 68 Gandhinagar Franklin Kharadi 20000 69 Gandhinagar Marcellin Macwan 1000 70 Gandhinagar Ketan Macwan 5000 71 Gandhinagar Macwan Francis Paul 1000 72 Gandhinagar Manish Dabhi 1000 73 Gandhinagar Jyotsna Victor Christi 10000 74 Gandhinagar Samuel Jivabhai Macwan & Vimlaben S. Macwan 10000 75 Gandhinagar Anton Cyril Evans 2000 76 Gandhinagar Pereira Dhiraj Reming 5000 77 Gandhinagar Isudas Paul Sagar 5000 78 Gandhinagar Robert Manilal Parmar & Delilia Sylvester Macwan 20000 79 Gandhinagar Mulavana Eago Devasia 5000 80 Gandhinagar Rosily Victor 5000 81 Gandhinagar Joraben Navinchandra Kharadi & Navinchandra 50000 82 Gandhinagar Shantilal Paul Macwan 5000 83 Gandhinagar Denis Kuriakose 10000 84 Gandhinagar Joseph Isaac 5000 85 Gandhinagar Kunnummal Antony Thomas Rita Thomas 1000 86 Gandhinagar Vazapally Jose 1000 87 Gandhinagar Jijo Joseph 5000 88 Gandhinagar Nocolas Michael Rvans 5000 89 Mehsana Nagesh S. 1500 90 Mehsana Tikeshkumar Biswas 1000 91 Mehsana Mukeshkumar Jetalal Chauhan 1000 92 Gandhinagar Ouseph & Oman 2000 93 Gandhinagar Rosily Victor 1000 94 Gandhinagar Archdiocese of Gandhinagar 50000 Total 1,21,1125

Happy birthday to our dear Father

01. Fr. Shantilal Ninama

Happy ordination anniversary dear fathers

27. Fr. Kiran Gohil

30. Fr. Kamji Dund

Pray for the soul of the Father of Fr. Dominic Savio and for the soul of the Brother of Deacon Abhay

Please send your articles for Gandhinagar Chronicle to the Editor, Fr. Arul Britto o n [email protected]; Published From: Dharmacharya Nivas, “SHANTIVAN”, Pethapur - RandhejaRoad, Gandhinagar - 382 610. Gujarat.