PIOUS MINISTRY St. Mary’s Church, Dubai, UAE GROUPS UNDER PIOUS MINISTRY

1. Ang Lingkod ng Paginoon

2. Banal na Pag-aaral (BNP) 3. Divine Mercy 4. Focolare Movement 5. 6. Order of Secular (OFS) 7. The Blue Army of Our Lady Banal na Pag-aaral (BNP A Filipino term of “Continuous Study and Practice of a Holy Life”

BNP is a Lay Organization or movement originated in the Philippines in the year 1968. They have been in existence in St. Mary’s Dubai since June 2007.

Present in some countries such as USA, Australia, Europe, London, Canada, Norway, , Spain, UAE, Taiwan, Germany, Singapore and Greece.

Membership: UAE approximately a total members of 200 with 40 present active members. Banal na Pag-aaral (BNP) A Filipino term of “Continuous Study and Practice of a Holy Life”

The mission of BNP is to make known the message of to all people through retreat classes and apostolic work. The members share a unique experience through the Holy Spirit’s unmerited grace, culminating in a complete transformation of their lives from a life of sinfulness to holiness, from doubt to certainty, from ignorance to faith to a loving and faithful commitment, to live under the grace of God.

Banal na Pag-aaral (BNP) A Filipino term of “Continuous Study and Practice of a Holy Life” Divine Mercy

This group was founded in St. Mary’s Church Dubai in 2000. Membership at present is 5 and they are under re- organization because previous leaders are no longer here. ACTIVITIES: 1. Adoration to the Divine Mercy every Friday at 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 2. Reach-out Program (Thrice a week) 3. Celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy Focolare Movement Known as the “WORK of MARY” How it started ? • In Trent (Italy), During the WWII, everything was destroyed, a group of young girls started to live and witness that the words in the Gospel is the only thing that can't be destroyed by bombs. • Only in 12 years the Movement spread in all Europe. There was no specific plan or blueprint for spreading the Movement. • Today the Movement is present in 182 countries. It has approximately 2 million adherents and people who are sympathetic to its goals.

Focolare Movement Known as the “WORK of MARY”

12 Points that define our spirituality: 1. God is Love 2. The Will of God – Our YES to God 3. The Word of Life 4. Jesus in the Other 5. The New Commandment - LOVE 6. Unity Focolare Movement Known as the “WORK of MARY”

12 Points that define our spirituality: 7. Jesus Forsaken 8. Jesus in the Midst 9. Jesus in the Eucharist 10. The Holy Spirit 11. Mary 12. The Church Focolare Movement Known as the “WORK of MARY”

Monthly meeting is every 2 nd Friday Annual Meeting As a family we live together through the daily life, encourage and pray for each other. Living the word in all aspects even during the time of playing together and or eating. We share our experiences on how we live the word of life. Our Target is to put such beautiful bouquet (of different flowers) at the service of the church and community. Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, , have formed themselves into a Legion for service in the warfare which is perpetually waged by the Church against the world and its evil powers. Founded on 7th September 1921 in Dublin, Ireland by Frank Duff.

In St. Mary’s Church Dubai, it has been in existence for 31 years with the first meeting held on 15th August 1987, the birth of the 1st Praesidium named Immaculate Queen of Peace. Legion of Mary

The Object The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co- operation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary’s and the Church’s work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ. Legion of Mary The Spirit The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself. Especially does the Legion aspire after her virtues: - Her profound humility - Her perfect obedience - Her angelic sweetness - Her continual prayer - Her universal mortification - Her altogether spotless purity - Her heroic patience - Her heavenly wisdom - Her self sacrificing courageous love of God - And above all Her faith Legion of Mary

The Composition

16 Praesidia ( 13 Seniors & 3 Juniors)

 SENIORS (18 years and above)

 JUNIORS (6 to 17 years old) Legion of Mary Membership

Active 295 1,752 Auxiliary 1,457

Nationalities: According to numbers

 Filipino  Sri Lankan  Nigerian  Indonesian  Indian  Kenyan  Cameroonian Legion of Mary

How do we function? 1. PRAYER  Weekly Praesidium Meeting  Monthly Council Meeting 2. ACTIVE COOPERATION IN MARY’S & THE CHURCH WORKS  Weekly Apostolic Works Legion of Mary PRAYER

Weekly Praesidium Meeting:  SATURDAY – 3 Praesidia  THURSDAY – 4 Praesidia  FRIDAY – 9 Praesidia Monthly Council Meeting:  Every 3rd FRIDAY – all the 4 officers of the 3 Junior Praesidia  Every 4th FRIDAY – all the 4 officers of the 13 Senior Praesidia Legion of Mary ACTIVE COOPERATION IN MARY’S & THE CHURCH WORKS Home/Camps/Accommodations Visitation Home Visitation thru Pilgrim of Mary Home Visitation for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Hospital Visitation Jail Visitation Promotion of Sacraments Legion of Mary ACTIVE COOPERATION IN MARY’S & THE CHURCH WORKS Works for the Young - Juniors Supervision of Cenacle Prayers in the Homes Crowd Contact Patrician Meetings Parochial Services: - Promotion of other Church Organizations, Societies & . - Collaboration in every Apostolic & Missionary undertaking sponsored by the . - Church Cleaning Legion of Mary CHALLENGES  Availability of Spiritual Directors At Present we have 2 Comboni Sisters, 1 and 1 Priest Sr. Josefina for 5 Praesidia Sr. Rachele for 2 Praesidia Br. Mike for 5 Praesidia Fr. Robert for 1 Praesidium There are 3 praesidia who do not have yet Spiritual Directors. Legion of Mary

CHALLENGES

 Availability of Rooms/Halls  Availability of Priests for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Homes  Need of Priest support to Tamil Praesidium (Unhealed Matter)  Unemployed Members Order of Franciscan Secular

The Order of Franciscan Seculars (OFS) is a community of Catholic men and women in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Jesus Christ in the spirit of .

Established in St. Mary’s Church Dubai on 28 May 2016.

Membership at present is 31 which the Rite of Admittance was held on 26 June 2017. Order of Franciscan Secular FOUNDATION OF OFS

• Secular Franciscans are tertiaries or members of the of Saint Francis founded by Saint Francis of Assisi 800 years ago.

• OFS is open to any Catholic, made up of (male and female non-clergy) and secular clergy (, priests and bishops). Order of Franciscan Secular Saint Francis describes the elements of conversion process: 1. Love God 2. Love one’s neighbor 3. Turn away from sinful tendencies 4. Receive the “Body and Blood or our Lord Jesus Christ” and, as a result of the above, 5. Producing worthy fruits of penance–a renewed life characterized by charity, forgiveness and compassion toward others. Order of Franciscan Secular The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan found in Article 4:

To observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ following example of St Francis of Assissi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.

Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the Gospel, going from Gospel to Life and life to the Gospel. Order of Franciscan Secular

Fraternity Meetings

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Saint Mary’s Church, Mini Hall Room no. 3

Fr. Andre Francisco Fernandes OFM Cap Spiritual Assistant

Brother Anand Rajan Minister Order of Franciscan Secular

Upcoming Celebration/Feasts

August 2 – Portiuncula Indulgence September 17 – Stigmata Feast October 3 – Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi October 4 – Feast of St. Francis of Assisi The Blue Army of Our Lady

We are a prayer group consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Blue Army of Our Lady

Our main aim now is to keep ourselves in deep prayer for crisis in the Universal Church, for peace in the world and in our souls. Our group takes part in the activities of the Church. We walk in the path of Righteousness and Holiness without compromising and lead people to the truth of our catholic faith. We proclaim Christ Jesus and His Crucifiction and to Jesus and Mary and most importantly the Sacrifice of The Holy Mass and Sacraments and above all The . The Blue Army of Our Lady We have our prayers, Rosaries, hymns and consecrate ourselves, Word of God and end with fellowship every Thursday and on Wednesdays we have the Flame of Love prayers, hymns and fellowships. We praise and thank God in intercessions to obtain and granting. We direct our group members and council and including in U.K. Canada, Chennai, Mumbai and Goa. We do not do any collection. We show mercy and compassion to those in need. Ave Maria