THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF DELHI CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE VOL. 30, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2021 `10 Servant of God Sr. Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta! The Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne-Ranchi and the First Tribal Servant of God! Violence against women 17 30 We pray for women who are Sacrament of Confirmation 24 Hours Intercessory victims of violence, that they and Holy Communion at Eucharistic Adoration at may be protected by society and Good Shepherd Church, Jeevan Jyoti Ashram, Hauz Khas. Burari. have their sufferings considered and heeded. HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY 2021 Violence against women We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded. CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR 5 The Shepherd’s Voice 8 Musings of the Month 9 Lent: Authentic Fasting Spring time to Celebrate Women 10 Theology & Christian Life - 15 11 Special 12 Parish Roundup FR. STANLEY KOZHICHIRA 23 School Snippets 29 Diocesan Digest 37 Calendar of Feasts It would be shocking to most of us to come to terms with the fact that India is considered to be one of the world's most dangerous countries for women. Rape is one of the most common PATRON crimes in India. Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto EDITOR And in the world, one in three women experience physical or Fr. Stanely Kozhichira sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. But we consider EDITORIAL BOARD that the atrocities against women is only about gangrapes and Augustine Kurien Deepanjali Rao throwing acid seldom realising that it is mostly the closest Divya Joy partner or person to the women take the lead in carying out FINANCE AND CIRCULATION MANAGER these heinous crimes. Fr. Francis Prasad SECRETARIAT In a country where major deities are female, one woman gets Tency Thomas DESIGN CONCEPT raped every twenty minutes (According to the National Crime Mustardtree.in Records Bureau). While dieties and saints are respected and PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY revered. Fr. Januario Rebello on behalf of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese What is talked about educating our women and how women help DESIGN & PRINTED AT build the society is absolutely true. In fact, a nation can develop Bosco Society for Printing & Graphic Training, Okhla Road, New Delhi - 110 025 in the truest sense only if its women are equal and well treated. Tel.: 26839864, 26910729 In fact, violence against women and girls is a human rights Published by Delhi Catholic Archdiocese 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi - 110001 violation, and the immediate and long-term physical, Tel.: (+91-11) 23343457, 23362058 sexual, and mental consequences for women and girls can Fax: (+91-11) 23746575 be devastating, including death. Violence negatively affects Email: [email protected] Facebook: Voiceofdelhi Archdiocese Delhi women’s general well-being and prevents women from Website: www.archdiocesedelhi.com fully participating in society. It impacts their families, their community, and the country at large. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION `150 (by post); US $ 25 (abroad); UK £ 15 In this context the Holy Father urges all pray for women. His (abroad); Europe € 13 (abroad) clarion call is “We pray for women who are victims of violence, By Local cheque/bank draft favouring “THE VOICE OF Delhi” that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings Contributions for publication may be sent to considered and heeded.” the above address by post or by email to: [email protected] As we begin the season of lent this month, let one of the Editor’s mobile: 9868353289 resolutions during this spring time of spiritual life be to respect The articles, news reports and other materials women. Also speak for women not only on social media but also published in this magazine (other than the in real spaces. The least we can all do is to daily say a prayer for Shepherd’s Voice) reflect the views of the authors them. And treat women in our circle with respect and honour. and not of the Archdiocese of Delhi and VOD does not take any responsibility or liability for the same. Happy Lent and celebrate life. TOTAL PAGE NO. 40 February 2021 3 LETTERS THE shepherd’s VOICE THANK YOU FOR WRITING TO US, WE'RE SHARINGLETTERS IT HERE FOR ALL TO READ! THANK YOU FOR WRITING TO US, WE'RE SHARING IT HERE FOR ALL TO READ! welcoming and refreshing. It has if an international magazine of The Little been given a VERY INTERNATIONAL magnificence. Really incredible! It LOOK. May God bless the team is WRITEindeed TOendearing. US All of us at St. in bringing forthcoming issues Michael’s Church, Prasad Nagar We look forward to communicating successfully. congratulatemore often with you our and readers. the entire Feel team Virtues My best wishes at freeVOD to for write such to us,a marvelous with the kind make Dear Father, grateful to you for overof Dear information in the Editor, beginning you I happy would of liketoits see 26thus tothe year Sophiathe monthly Biju Mathew Parish roundups. It is ofchanges includepublishing. andin the your Voice views of on Delhi the content! and SHAHBADsuch a beautiful way of sharing and WithyourTogether teamsrespects we effort are and the toregards, Voicemake of it Delhi. look getting inspired through the activities betterEmail: and [email protected] readable. Kindly pay of various Parishes. Thanks for the C.M.attention Thomas to the the language and in Christ or life in the Spirit is a life of virtue. The New Testament efforts I liked put thein to entire get us new updated look of with the PRASADspellings. NAGAR constantly calls us to repent and lead virtuous lives if we are Voiceeverything of DelhiRev. happening Fr. - JanuaryStanley in Kozhichira,2017 various edition. truly disciples of Christ and members of his Body the Church. TheParishes. changeEditor is very much appreciated Shreedhar The call of Christian life is to have “the mind of Christ” (cf. and drawsVoice an instant of Delhi attraction. Laxmi Nagar LIFE 1Cor. 2:14-16; Phil. 2: 5-7) which leads us to “empty ourselves” Catherine Thomas The qualityRespected of paper Rev and Fr. printing Stanley is Kozhichira, as Christ emptied himself so that we become joyful people. ofAlaknanda high standard and the cover design The beautiful words of St. Paul to the Philippians: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, JANUARYJanuary 2021 2017 deserves Greetingsspecial applauds. from St. Articles Michael's are Church, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever informativePrasad giving Nagar! people insightful WRITE TO US is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about It was a pleasant surprise to all perspectives Thanks a thatlot for allow the tobeautiful adapt the we look forward to communicating these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the of us to see January issue of the Voice spiritualVoice of Delhineeds. every Wishing month you with all the a lot more often with our readers, feel God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9). For and on behalf of Parish Priests and parishioners of St. Michael’s of Delhi in a new shape with quality bestof creativity and may and the newness.I coming editions would likebe free to write to us, with the kind of The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins the section on “Virtues” by quoting information you would like us to inputs for readers. Your efforts to ofto greatsay the reflections.Church, “well issue” Prasad by Nagar, Fr. Maxim I take this opportunity to convey gratitude the above words of St. Paul. Virtues are divided into “Human Virtues” and “Theological October 2017 include, your views on the content! Pinto is reallyto your enriching. goodself and the Editorial Board for publishing write-up and make the VOD classical magazine With best wishes, Together we are the Voice of Delhi. Virtues”. “Human virtues: are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections photographs in the Voice of Delhi, January 2021 issue on the following: of the Archdiocese has borne fruit. email: [email protected] of intellect and will, that govern our actions, order our passions and guide our conduct Please Dear accept Editor, our “Discovering congratulations PhilaminWilliam Herald* Philip Christmas Celebrations. according to reason and faith. They make possible: ease, self-mastery and joy in leading andIdentity” gratitude by Professor for the initiative Dean put in ARohiniLAKNANDA a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good” (CCC 1804). byFernandes, you and yourwas ateam great in read revitalising this It is in the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments that give us the divine teachings With regards, VODtime. making Like many it the youngsters readers' delight. I also The heavens on virtues. The Wisdom literature of the Old Testament is particularly filled with moral Regards,have such confusions in mind about CongratsYours on sincerely, the very impressive teachings pertaining to human behaviour. Human virtues are “acquired by education, by identity. The article did really help makeover of VOD. The Look is are telling the deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts”, but they are also Ame Chinnappan to realize a great line of thoughts. polished forand St. professional, Michael's Church, the Prasad article Nagar glory of God; and “purified and elevated by divine grace” (CCC 1810). MAYUR VIHAR III layout veryC M well Thomas done, as also the Four human virtues play a pivotal role in our moral life, hence they are called “cardinal” Zen Johnson Ayyanad quality ofMobile the printing. No. 8700617332 Clearly a lot of the firmament virtues.