Secular Citizen Vol.23 No.19 dated 12th May 2014

12 May 2014

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Papal Canonizations: Indian Parish Creates History Vaishali: A parish in Faridabad diocese created history on Sunday when it became the first place in India to celebrate the feast of Saint John Paul II within hours of the pontiff’s canonization at the Vatican.

Pope Francis made a record of sorts by declaring as saints Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, two remarkable pontiffs of the 20th century.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI was among hundreds of thousands of people who attended the unprecedented ceremony in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.

Never before has a reigning and retired pope celebrated Mass together in public, much less at an event honoring two of their most famous predecessors.

His Holiness Pope Francis blessing Shri Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Labour & Employment at the Historic Canonization ceremony at st.Peters Square , Vatican on 27th April 2014.

Oscar Fernandes lead a high level 3 member Indian delegation for to Popes Canonization ceremony in Rome.

Pope Benedict’s presence was a reflection of the balancing act that Francis envisioned when he decided to canonize John and John Paul together, showing the unity of the Catholic Church by honoring popes beloved to conservatives and progressives alike.

In India, St John Paul II parish in Vaishali, Uttar Pradesh, marked the historic canonization with a solemn Mass, faith proclamation rally and a public meeting attended by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and more than 6,000 members of the Syro-Malabar diocese’s East Zone.

The highlight of the public meeting was the personal testimony of a woman who came from Kerala to narrate how her daughter’s life was saved through the intercession of Pope John Paul II. The apostolic nuncio unveiled a statue of John Paul II that he gifted to the Vaishali parish. It also became the first Indian parish to recite a novena to Saint John Paul II, immediately after his canonization.

During his first ten-day visit starting February 1, 1986, he had traveled major Catholic centers in India, including four places in Kerala, the base of the Syro-Malabar Church. He also beatified two Syro-Malabar Catholics in Kottayam, Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Franciscan Clarist nun Alphonsa.

The Vatican ambassador also gifted a relic of John Paul II to Faridabad diocese.

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Department of Pathology, Fr. Muller Medical College organized the 2nd Annual Conference of Indian Academy of Cytologists – Karnataka Chapter (IAC-KC CON) on 29th and 30th March 2014.

The inaugural of the same took place on 29th March, 2014 at Decennial Memorial Hall, Knowledge Centre, Father Muller Charitable Institutions. The Chief Guest of the function was Dr.I Karunasagar, Senior Fishery Officer (Rtd) and Food Safety Consultant, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations. The Function was presided by Rev. Fr Patrick Rodrigues, Director, FMCI. Prof Raghuveer , President of IAC- KC, Col. U.S Dinesh , Secretary of IACKC, Dr. Hilda Fernandes, Organizing Chairperson of IACKC CON, Professor & Head, Department of Pathology , Dr Jayaprakash C.S, Organizing Secretary of IAC-KC CON were also present, Observor from KMC, DR. Niranjan Murthy were also present.

12 May 2014

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Contents

pg. 3 - Why Protestants Are More Popular Than Catholics ... pg. 5 - Feedback On Family Survey In India pg. 6 - Reader's Views pg. 7 - A Tryst with Destiny pg 8 - The Dilemma of Fr. Frazer pg 10 - Where Is The Garden Of Eden? pg 11 - Summer Fun pg 12 - Udupi Bishop Felicitated by Kanarites of Mumbai pg 15 - Affirmation Of Our Respect For Motherhood pg 16 - The Marvellous Month Of Ma(r)y! pg 18 - How Smart Are You ... pg 19 - Inspiration! pg 20 - Matrimonials

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12 May 2014

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Why Protestants Are More Popular Than Catholics In China Bangkok: Questions abound over the recent vicious actions of the Chinese government towards Christians in the prosperous Zhejiang Province just south of Shanghai.

The actions of the government during the fortnight after Easter against both Protestants and Catholics are unprecedented in recent decades and, justifiably, have received

BY FR MICHAEL KELLY world attention.

As with all actions in a country as vast as China, whose government could never be accused of transparency, it is difficult to discover who is making the decisions and what they hope to achieve. But one issue that has surprised many people outside China is both the size of its Christian population and the ruthlessness, born only of fear, that the government’s violence displays.

A recent claim by a US-based Chinese academic to London’s Telegraph newspaper – that China would have the largest Christian population in the world by 2030 – was not only exaggerated but also factually wrong. Will Brazil (200 million Christians) and Nigeria (85 million Christians), for example, simply stop producing Christians in the next 15 years?

The reality is that no one knows how many Christians there are in China.

In fact, there’s good reason why Christians do not declare their growth. Just look at what’s happened in Zhejiang in the last fortnight, where the growth of the Christian community has been declared “unsustainable” by the authorities who have command of assessments of the “sustainability” of faith communities.

Put your head up as a Christian in China and it will be cut off. Catholics have maintained a standard figure for their own numbers for three decades. It was 12 million in 1980, 12 million in 1990, 12 million in 2000 and – surprise, surprise – it was 12 million in 2010. No one in any religion declares real figures in China.

It only attracts government attention and then persecution.

That there is a massive growth spurt among Christians in China is indisputable. What has not been addressed is what has made the exponential growth among Protestants possible, far outstripping the growth among Catholics.

But it’s not something the officials know anything about because they have (Contd.. on p. 4)

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(Contd.. from p. 3) such a rudimentary and uninformed view of what Christianity is that they are the last to know what’s happening. For example, only the Chinese government thinks that Protestants and Catholics are separate religions.

They are two of the five it recognizes along with Buddhism, Islam and its homegrown religion, Daoism. No one else in the world thinks Protestants and Catholics are anything but parts of Christianity.

Whatever one is to make of the uninformed view that the Chinese authorities have, Protestant Christianity is growing far more quickly and extensively than Catholicism. Why? Maybe the Chinese authorities have something to tell us. After Mao Zedong’s victory in 1949, China was established along lines that the Communists learned about from their then friends, the Soviet Union, and the real maker of 20th Century Communism, Vladimir Lenin, the founder and first father of the Soviet Union.

The Chinese Government manages religious groups through the Religious Affairs Bureau, a department of the Communist Party’s United Front organization for controlling the country’s disparate movements, groups and institutions such as Protestants and Catholics.

The Catholic Church in China, divided as it remains, is caught: its strength is its weakness. Everywhere in the world and with local variations in China, its universality (with an accepted pattern of worldwide relationships), its institutions (parishes, seminaries, welfare services, publishing houses), its statuses (clergy and religious) and its ceremonies (the sacraments) are visible and remain the continuous and coherent identifications that draw or repel membership and participation.

In a Communist country, they are an easy target for a Leninist administration intent on detailed control. And then, when some comply with government structures while other Catholics see those acting in such a way as cowardly and cooperating with the enemy, many form the view that rather than complicate their lives, they leave the estab-

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FLAME OF LOVE "I can master it," said the Axe. His blows fell heavy on the hard, strong steel. But each blow only made his edge more blunt until he ceased to strike.

"Leave it to me," said the Saw. With his relentless teeth, he worked back and forth. But to his dismay, all of his teeth were worn out or broken off.

"Ha!" said the Hammer. "I knew you could not do this. Let me show you how."

But with the very first blow, his head flew off, and the steel was unchanged.

"Shall I try?" asked the Flame. And it curled itself gently around the strong, hard steel, embraced it, and would not let it go. And the tough steel melted.

There are hearts that are hard enough to resist the forces of wrath and the fury of pride. But hard is the heart that can resist the warm flame of Love. lished and regulated Church well alone.

The same applied to Protestant denominations and was institutionalized through the three self- movements (self–government, self–financing and self-propagation; or no foreign missioners). This approach run through the United Front’s Religious Affairs Bureau captured the attention and controlled the practices of Protestant Christians throughout the People’s Republic.

But the recent explosion in Protestant Christian numbers has happened outside this rubric. Most of the buildings, churches and Christian gathering points have been built on local initiative without government authorization. And most of the communities around the often triumphalist buildings that have been damaged or demolished in recent times in China began life as small communities of little more than a dozen people – gathering in friend’s homes outside the net of government supervision.

Protestant Christianity, in contrast to the institution-based approach to community building familiar to Catholics, has thrived on its nimble, lightfooted and adaptable response to local opportunities. In China, it has grown out of small communities sharing prayer, Bible study and videos at home or in a work place. At times, Christian businessmen and manufacturers have workplace Christian groups that form and meet for prayer and Bible study on their business premises.

Meeting all over Eastern China in clusters of no more than 12, groups gather for what Catholics would call primary evangelization. Two-hour Bible

study programs conducted over two to three months and often aided by a Chinese version of the Alpha Course provide a neat and compact way to introduce Christianity. The Alpha Course is a 12-part video series first created by an Anglican priest in London, Nicky Gumble, that has gone worldwide and has a Catholic version.

These groups are unencumbered and unregulated by the Religious Affairs Bureau. Multiply the dozen members of these groups by thousands of such small groups in homes and work places and you reach hundreds of thousands pretty quickly. But when you get to that scale, as China has in the last 20 years, it’s not long until you need a larger, dedicated building – a church.

That’s where these emergent communities have run into the brick wall of the Religious Affairs Bureau and the fear that the entire Chinese political leadership has had of any group, especially a religious one, that it can’t control.

Fr Michael Kelly SJ is executive director of ucanews.com and is based in Bangkok.

(Source: ucanews)

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Feedback On Family Survey In India BACKGROUND: I happened to see a news item in the Hindustan Times dt 31/3/14 with a statement attributed to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai on the “global survey commissioned by the Vatican “. The report quoted the cardinal as saying that “the data from India was not quantified, and only showed general perceptions.” I immediately wrote to the Cardinal seeking a

clarification, more so since he was one of the 8 handpicked advisors to the Pope, and also the then President of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI). My query was on “unquantified data”, which in itself is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms.

My letter to the Cardinal was printed in some Christian journals.

On 1st April I sent a copy of the Cardinal’s statement and my response to the same, to several persons on my regular mailing list. On 7th/8th April I independently received a request from James Kottoor/Bob Kaiser/Rene Reid to join up with the efforts of “Catholic Church Reform International” (CCRIL), pertaining to the forthcoming World Synod on the Family, and their efforts to obtain feedback on the same. Since we seemed to have common goals I had agreed to co-operate in their effort.

That is a separate matter.

CARDINAL’S RESPONSE: Cardinal Gracias responded to my letter on 15th April stating that the Conference of Catholic Bishop’s of India (CCBI- which is the body of Latin Rite bishops only) had sent the questionnaire to all the dioceses. The responses were collated and sent to Rome. However in the same letter under reference the Cardinal also stated that the process of data collection was still continuing, and forwarded my letter to Bp Lawrence Pius, the Chairman of the CCBI Family Commission.

VERIFICATION: Somehow the Cardinal’s letter did not ring true.

Hence, by way of abundant precaution, I sent out a query on the 17th April, enquiring from my group if they were aware of any Survey on the Family conducted in their respective dioceses.

12 May 2014

RESPONSES: I got responses from eminent lay leaders all across the country stating that no such Survey had been conducted. BY CHHOTEBHAI The response came from people in the following dioceses: Bombay Archdiocese (the Cardinal’s own), Delhi Archdiocese, Bangalore Archdiocese, Pune Diocese, Ernakulam Archdiocese, Chennai Archdiocese, Allahabad Diocese, Bareilly Diocese and Meerut Diocese. I consider these responses sufficiently representative to state that no Family Survey had been conducted across the 167 dioceses in the country.

QUALIFYING OBSERVATIONS: One respondent then stated that she had received a questionnaire in Mumbai, but decided against responding as she found it too “technical”. I received another response from Pune that some kind of a survey was responded to by a group of priests of the diocese. It was not circulated among the laity.

FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE: Based on the responses received till then I again wrote to Cardinal Gracias on 23rd April, informing him, among (Contd.. on p. 22)

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Should The Clergy Take Part In Politics? - A Tale of Three Popes Sunday, April 27, 2014 was a red letter day in the annals of the Catholic Church, when two Popes, John Paul XXIII and John Paul II were canonized

by Pope Francis.

It was also a landmark event for the Church in India, now in the midst of the General Elections 2014.

St. John XXIII is remembered for introducing Vatican II, a watershed movement which empowered the laity to participate in Church activities.

St. John Paul II was lauded by Lech Walesa for bringing down the Berlin Wall, unifying Germany and the overthrow of the Iron Curtain.

Pope Francis is also credited with the sanctioning the canonization process of Archbishop Oscar Romero, martyred on March 24, 1980, while celebrating Holy Mass.

There are 101, 20,000 Christians voters in India.

The Catholic Church in India sprawls over 164 dioceses. The Archdiocese of Bombay comprises of 11 deaneries with 122 parishes. The Catholic population is about five hundred and twenty five thousand and seventeen (525,017) persons.

After Vatican II, the Church founded Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) in every parish, to assist the Parish Priest (PP). (Christus Dominus n. 27) The PPC, as an umbrella organization, also comprises of Small Chris-

ish activities.

PPCs should be weaned away from church centric religiosity and parachuted into the sociopolitical arena. All socio political issues should be handled by the CPC/PPC. It will help to present a cohesive, effective platform for projecting relevant issues. Recently, a PP launched a revanchist agitation, apparently without the support of the PPCs. As George Fernandes once said, ‘We should not be afraid of dirtying our hands!’

The clergy can then freely concentrate on religious services.

—Denis Khan tian Communities (SCCs), a Parish Finance Committee (PFC), a Civic & Political Cell (CPC) and a Parish Youth Cell (PYC).

Every month, a consolidated report is submitted by each PPC to the top echelon. In a 5 year Election cycle, 122 parishes have submitted about 7320 reports.

The Archbishop’s response is based on the PPC reports.

If the PPCs/ CPCs/PYCs are doing their homework, there should be no problem. If the parishioners are clueless as to which party is secular, how can the clergy be held responsible?

The 6% Current Account Deficit of about $US 22 billion, is a damocletan sword hanging over the heads of the citizenry, especially the youth. Is the PYC aware of the CAD? Digital and Cloud Technology should be set up. A parish website / domain, email/blog site etc. should be mandatory. This will promote interest and awareness among the youth who can actively participate & helm the par-

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“A Tryst with Destiny” Don Aguiar (Contd.. from last issue) After reading all these posts, newspapers and attending all these events and with the active community members voicing their own opinion and also being subjected to hearing the continuous aggressive daily (one would say brainwashing) advertisements and misinformation campaign of the communal party in all media that made “Modi” a household name, most in the community then gets disoriented and confused and they inquire around What is happening? This confuses them even more and may have also scared them. Results some do not go to vote because they are either confused or scared or unconnected to the present times so they say they have full faith in their God; therefore they leave it to Him while others are intellectually bankrupt about the laws which govern our existence and the balance that do vote split the secular vote thus helping the communal party. One must realize that if a respective political party is unable to realize a vote bank from a respective community they do not bother about that community and that is what is

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12 May 2014

happening to our community. None of us are happy with this situation or want to do anything about it.

Our community should understand that – It is not the world that distresses you but how you relate to it and that is where Fr Cedric Prakash and the Principal of St Xavier Collage lead the way, on educating us on the brainwashing media campaign unleashed by the communal party and whose insistence is on spreading communalism and leveraging development over other issues and advised us to choose wisely as in the present we are in a democracy where irrespective of one’s spirituality, honesty, hatred, understanding, etc, we have to keep up with the competition in present day democracy along with the voters of other minority communities where, the other minority communities have withstood this brainwashing and have understood the situation of a communal government in power and had decided to give up their splitting the non communal vote by voting united for a non communal party in such situations?

And also keep their personal gains, requirements, etc to rest in the need for a united community which can then get benefits from the political parties who approach them. As it is the numbers that count - the number of votes projected to the respective political party or candidate.

And now - What is it that has confused or terrified our community in being disoriented / disunited? Tell us, please, is it because of placing more importance on corruption than communalism or is it the brainwashing media campaign of the communal party or the just arrived non communal party who has no experience or chance of forming a government on its own strength the reason that confused and scared you. Splitting the non communal votes will affects us all.

What are we to make of this? Must we continue the same to only be too happy to risk being a disunited com-

munity or one that will succumb to the pressure of the media or the majority community? Will there be some unity just like the other communities who have stood up to pressure and other forms of enticements? Is there ever going to be unity in the near future?

Have you forgotten who you are? You are part of one of the oldest, most followed religion in the world that represents the line from our Lord Jesus Christ and St. Peter. Our community has produced some of the greatest leaders and people in history in and out of respective governments and we have stood by them as our community should the world over. Our community has fought for free speech against the most violent and terrifying odds.

But in the meantime………. If one takes the community as a big ship sailing on the high seas with all ranks on the ship doing their jobs as required the ship will sail smoothly and will withstand any storm or even a tsunami BUT if some in the ranks do whatever they want and very different for a smooth sailing then it will result in chaos and the ship will sink and that is what is happening in our community where some have placed more importance on corruption than communalism and are looking for a change and say that India can finally leave its past behind or at least the unsavory parts, and really make, what one illustrious Brahmin once called “a tryst with destiny”

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The Dilemma Of Fr. Frazer

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start this article by calling the prin cipal of St. Xavier's college as Fr. Frazer, because I was happy to hear on the T.V., the students of the institution call him so. They wouldn't have called him by his first name openly, unless they are genuinely fond of him, more than being in awe of him. This is excellent for any institution, especially a prestigious one like St, Xavier's college.

Some years ago I met a Jesuit priest who was working in a children's orphanage in a distant tribal area of Maharashtra. Besides looking after the orphanage of around 200 children, he was also helping the neighboring villages to build check dams across streams and increase the level of ground water for irrigation. I was a little surprised to hear from him that he had volunteered to shift from St. Xavier's college, Mumbai to this remote village.

He stated that he had done so because he felt that at the orphanage, he was closer to the very poor and his mission was to help these poor families to rise above the poverty level. He said he realized soon enough that it was difficult to talk about anything religious to people who were living with empty stomachs and were forced to abandon their children in orphanages. Hence he with some German and Government of Maharashtra financial aid, was installing bore well pumps and ensuring the farmers had sufficient water for irrigating their farms.

At the same time he admitted that

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Eric D'Sa it was essential to run highly prestigious colleges like St. Xavier's at Mumbai, St. Stephan's at Delhi, St. Loyola's at Chennai, St. Joseph's at Bangalore, etc and many more such top notch educational institutions that the Jesuits run for the elite of this country. It helps he stated to inculcate in the students who are future leaders of the country some good Christian, universal, social and liberal values. Many of the students who have studied in these institutions have gone on take up very senior posts in the administrations, governments and companies. The Jesuit institutions have inculcated in them the need to be religious or spiritual, but at the same time opt for secular, inclusive and non communal governance.

When we try to judge the email that Fr. Frazer posted to his students as the Principal of St. Xavier's, we need to keep in mind that he has two roles to play. The important one is that of the Principal of the college and the other one is that of a Catholic Priest inculcating in his students Christian values.

Personally I am like many Catholics strongly against any heads of Churches, Mosques, Gurudwaras, Temples or any other religious congregations from actively taking part in Politics by canvassing for any political party. Many are unfortunately doing so openly. They need to be kept apart from politics in every nation. If one studies most of the conflicts this world is saddled with for decades, they are mostly based on religion. The countries that have been able to prosper economically are those that have managed to have governments which are secular in the real sense ie not religious, even agnostic.

Dereck O'brien seems to have been for the last one year totally immersed in West Bengal politics and listening to his leader Mamta Banerjee.

May be he has not heard Pope Francis stating that the Catholic Church should mainly work for the poor in the world, the number of poor is growing be-

cause the disparity of the wealth between the very rich and the very poor is increasing, and this is also due to crony capitalism and criminality in politics.

This may sound familiar to many in India who have been listening to Pope Francis and I am not surprised one of them is Fr. Fraser. Hence his dilemma would be that as a priest, he needs to listen to the local church hierarchy, but as a Catholic he needs to keep in mind the teachings of the present Pope.

More importantly as a Principal of a prestigious college he needs to get his students look at the different models of growth being branded about during this election without too many details, and have them discussed in the class rooms, as one of the professors in the college confirmed they did.

After all the Gujarat Model is being highlighted by BJP as the best model in the country. This is not true since the Kerala Model, the Andhra Pradesh model, the Tamil Nadu Model or even the Maharashtra model are better, if one considers the story of poverty reduction during the last 10 years, as given in a table recently published by Mint.

Hence, Fr. Frazer was justified as a principal of the college, in advising his students just a day before elections that they should vote, but before doing so they should seriously look at the highly hyped Gujarat model of economic development keeping in mind human development and poverty elimination. He also brought to the notice of the students their own experience as an institution in design with the government in Gujarat. He has refrained from discussing in too much detail, Communalism or Secularism or named actual political parties in his email. Attacking the use of the principals email ID and the college official website to air his advise to students would have been violative if he had addressed to others than his students and faculty. He was doing so as their principal and not as a priest. The other criticism is of the timing of the post, a day before Mumbai's

12 May 2014

Where Is The Garden Of Eden?

B

iblical exegetes would have us believe that the allegorical Gar den of Eden, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, was probably situated between the mighty rivers Tigris and Euphrates, in modern day Iraq. But I found Eden at a stone’s throw from the renowned tiger reserve, Corbett National Park.

It is known as Vardan Vatika (Garden Gift) in Ramnagar, near the entrance to the park. It is a Christian ashram started 20 years ago by Sr Jaya (65) of the Congregation of St Anne of Providence. The inspiration for this garden ashram goes back 35 years, when Sr Jaya joined the youth renewal team led by this writer. Among the other noteworthy members of that team were Acharya Anildev IMS of Matridham Ashram, Varanasi, Abp Albert D’souza of Agra, who is the CBCI Secretary General, Ms Lily Fernandes, Directress General of the secular institute, the Maids of the Poor, and Sadhu Asteya, who was tragically murdered in his ashram chapel near Dehradun, a few years ago.

True to its name, Vardan Vatika was originally an orchard. Even now it is covered by fruit-laden trees. What

sets this ashram apart, though, is the total involvement of the local populace (none of whom are Christian) in its functioning. Young girls and women from 19 surrounding villages consider the ashram to be truly God’s Gift, because it is here that they have discovered their own identity and self-worth.

Sr Jaya (nee Julia) in now popularly known as Jaya Didi. Originally hailing from Bijai village in Mangalore diocese, she had joined the St Anne’s congregation, and was doing wonder-

(Contd.. on p. 10)

The Dilemma Of Fr. Frazer polls. He was asking his students in Mumbai to think, use their judgement and vote. What better time to do so than the day before - a few days earlier it may have been forgotten. Even a day later it would be meaningless.

What the Principal is trying to covey to his students is the following statement his email begins with: "The approaching elections have brought an interesting discussion to the public forum on what constitutes human development and how it is to be achieved.

The Gujarat model has been high lightened for our consideration. That is very apt because it puts in stark contrast two current views. Is the growth of big business, the making of huge profits, the achievement of high production - what

12 May 2014

ful work in a school.

But through the youth spiritual ministry and ashram movement, she too, like Mother Teresa, experienced a call BY CHHOTEBHAI within a call; to relinquish the relative comfort of a convent life, to launch out into the untested and unchartered waters of the ashram way of life.

Initially Jaya Didi’s congregation was skeptical about the viability of such an “adventure”. Nevertheless they supported her with both finance and personnel. 20 years down the line they can say with pride and confidence that they had made a wise “investment”. Jaya also expresses great gratitude to Bp Anthony Fernandes of Bareilly, in whose diocese her ashram is situated.

A few ashramites and well-wishers from neighbouring mission stations, as also the local populace, gathered together in the garden on 25th April, on the occasion of its completion of 20 years. Presiding over the Holy Eucharist, Bp Fernandes pointed out that the first two Christian ashrams in north

we seek? Or is it the quality of life for the majority in terms of affordable basic goods and services and the freedom to take forward the cultural aspirations of our plural social groups that make up India?"

He ends his email with the following advice: " No magic wand or divine miracles will come to the aid of the India people. Their reasoned choice of individuals and political parties who promise to work for a real quality of life for all, will see India prosper or flounder on the precipice. Choose well!"

Well reading the above, one should not be surprised why our Jesuit run colleges have remained for decades, the top most colleges in the country. We need more Jesuit colleges

around the country to inculcate in our youngsters the values we cherish and help our country to ensure that most of the people at the bottom of the pyramid rise above the poverty line. We need academic principals who inculcate in their students the habit of making choices after the process of thought.

We Catholics around the world, for more than a year now have been a witness to the changes being brought about by a Jesuit Pope. Pope Francis has revitalized the Catholic church by focusing on the poorest in the world, the problem of growing disparity of wealth between the richest and the poorest, the problem of crony capitalism and criminalization of politics.

Hence should we be surprised if a Jesuit Principal takes a similar public stand?

9

she opined.

The liturgical singing, in the backdrop of the bronze bust of Sadguru Yesu, was devotionally conducted by Joshy Alat, while the chants were led

by Rev Ashok Masih. Bps Francis Kallist of Meerut, and his predecessor in office Patrick Nair, concelebrated with 20 priests from the nearby mission stations. Since Jaya Didi herself was hospitalized for most of the day, due to sheer exhaustion, handling the celebration fell on the broad shoulders of the local parish priest, Rev Bonaventure Menezes, ably assisted by Jaya’s companion sisters – Sophiya and Premila.

Chairman of the Ramnagar Town Area Committee, Haji Mohd Akram, said that it required great sacrifice to leave the comfort of one’s home to serve in a far away land. Five of Jaya’s brothers and sisters, as also other relatives, had traveled all the way from Mangalore, to witness the wonder of their beloved sister’s work.

Truly, many who had come that day to Vardan Vatika did indeed hear the footsteps of the Lord, as in the Garden of Eden, near the tiger reserve, not the Tigris river! * The writer himself lived in Jyotiniketan Ashram, Bareilly, for seven years.

Subscriptions for

(Contd.. from p. 9) India were both situated in his diocese.

The Sattal Ashram in Nainital district was founded by the American missionary Rev E Stanley Jones of the Methodist Church, about 80 years ago. The second was Jyotiniketan Ashram, Bareilly, founded by the English pastor, Rev C. Murray Rogers of the Anglican Communion, in the 1960’s. Interestingly, both these “foreign missionaries” were drawn to the ashram way of life by Mahatma Gandhi’s ashrams in Wardha and Sabarmati.

The unique aspect of Gandhiji’s ashrams was that they were not reclusive or exclusive, but inclusive. So too with Vardan Vatika. Its unique feature is its inclusiveness, as manifested by the “cultural programme’ that followed the

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Eucharistic celebration. I am normally not enamoured of such presentations.

But this was different, because of the total involvement of the village women.

They put up a skit on how they had overcome the scourge of alcoholism among their men folk. There were testimonies of how the ashram had empowered these once reticent village women.

Talking of the ashram’s impact Jaya Didi attributed it to her threepronged approach of Contemplation, Commitment and Contextualisation.

She felt that the Church of the future in India needed to be more connected with the people, enter into dialogue with other religions and be sensitive to their beliefs. The church needed to become much more participatory and involved in people’s joys and sorrows,

The Secular Citizen

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12 May 2014

Summer Fun

S

ummer Vacations- that time of the year when parents are at their wits’ end, and maybe even tearing their hair out in frustration, as they figure out ways to keep their children and youth meaningfully engaged and entertained. But let me assure you, that at Marinagar Colony, Mahim, we face no such dilemma. We don’t get the summertime blues, because the dynamic youth of our Rosa Mystica Community come up with initiatives that are wholeheartedly supported by the adults.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”. – Bishop Desmond Tutu. Lending credence to these words was the action plan, the young ones drew up creatively entitled, ‘Marinagar Masti’.

Spread over a number of days, (27th April – 24th May) the Masti includes a variety of programmes like, telegames, an inter colony football tournament, a fete and a children’s workshop amidst others. The series of events kicked off with the most innovative of them all, ‘Drops of Colour’ a kind of Mural Painting, uncannily on the day that an ardent supporter and lover of youth, in the Catholic Church

12 May 2014

– Pope John Paul II was canonized.

This ‘father and friend for the world’s youth’ (– Pope Francis) was definitely present amongst us all, as we performed little miracles with words, symbols and colour on the boundary wall, measuring well over 100m, to bring out the theme of, ‘LOVE, PEACE & UNITY”.

The brainchild of the youth animator Mr. Leonir Ladao, (he is going to refute this statement vociferously) spade work on this particular activity, began almost 10 days earlier. This involved a thorough cleaning, washing and scrubbing of the totally discoloured, absolutely dirty cement wall, then coating it with white cement paint, watering it at regular intervals, dividing it into small work areas with the help of ambro

Ninette D'Souza

tape, outlining the areas to be painted with a black border…Phew!!!!!!!! All of this entailed costs, but no money exchanged hands. All necessary materials were sourced out from 2 civil contractors within the colony. Mr. Bosco Vaz provided some of the paints while Mr. Michael D’souza went a step further, in providing the bucket, cement paint, brushes and other paints with instructions to pick up whatever else was needed from the local hardware store on his account.

D-day arrived and with it descended on the ground, umpteen pairs of eager hands and excited feet. From those of school children, college youth, working youth, young adults, hardworking dads (sacrificing a bit of ‘me time’ for a worthy cause), stay-athome mums to those aged feet accompanying young hearts. While unusual ideas came forth from young and old alike, ‘Tees’ also played a part in supplying relevant symbols and taglines to go with the theme. Kind souls kept the adrenaline pumping, by making sure that bottles of chilled water and soft drinks made regular appearances. “As the family goes, so goes the nation- and so goes the whole world in which we live.”- St. John Paul II. Indeed as 1 family we worked to make this a memorable day.

Come to Marinagar and see the handiwork that has set the tone for our V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N.

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Udupi Bishop Felicitated by Kanarites of Mumbai

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Cardinal Oswald Gracias

he ground at Xavier Engineering College at Mahim wore a festive look with Kanarites from all over Mumbai and surrounding areas gathered to felicitate the newly appointed bishop of Udupi Diocese on 4th May 2014.

For over a month the felicitation committee under the banner of United Kanarites Mumbai and under the able leadership of Mr. Albert W. D'Souza met several times to workout a detailed programme and preparations.

Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias felicitated Bishop of Udupi, Gerald Isaac Lobo with Shawl, Citation, Fruits and Memento on behalf of Kanarites of Mumbai. The Cardinal praised Christians of Karnataka for their hard work, unity, servicemindedness, dedication towards their religion, and spiritual aptitude. He expressed happiness for the emergence of Udupi diocese as the top diocese of India during the first tenure of the Bishop there in such a short period. A souvenir brought out to commemorate the occasion was also released by the Cardinal.

The grand function was presided over by Albert W D’Souza who is also working president of United Kanarites Mumbai (UKM). Oscar Fernandes, union minister for state in the department of surface transport, national highways, and labour, participated as the honourable guest of the function, while former deputy

Bishop of Udupi offering Shawl and floral bouquet to the Cardinal working president of National Minorities Commission, Michael Pinto, working president of Maharasthra State Minorities Commission, Janet L D’Souza, and Blossom Oscar Fernandes, participated as dignitary guests.

In response to the felicitation, Bishop Gerald Lobo

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Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo

Cardinal Oswald Released the Souvenir said that the affectionate honour bestowed upon him by the people of Mumbai directly goes to Jesus, as he came there as His representative. He said he was accepting the recognition and honour on behalf of Udupi diocese.

Michael Pinto and Janet D’Souza addressed the

12 May 2014

gathering and extended their best wishes to the Bishop of Udupi.

Earlier Bishop Gerald Lobo was main celebrant in the eucharistic concelebration and thanksgiving ceremony with Fr John Rumao, Fr Lancy Pereira, and Fr Ronson D’Souza. Flora D’Souza Kalmadi (Jerimeri) and Wilfred Fernandes readings from the Bible. Jacinta D’Souza rendered prayer.

Ronny R Mendonca red out the citation of the felicitation. Abraham Clement Lobo, Rita D’Sa, and Ruben Buthello, presented the programme, besides introducing the guests.

Various Committee Convenors John D’Silva-Finance, Walter ButhelloCatering, Lawrence D'Souza (Mulund)-Entertainment and Stage, Charles D’Cunha-Liturgy and Choir, Lawrence Coelho-Souvenir and Publicity, Mrs. Rita D'Sa-Reception, Henry Lobo-Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, and Vincent Mathias-Founder Chairman, received the VIPs and Dignitaries.

A section of the audiance Lawrence D’Souza Kamani proposed vote of thanks.

A troupe led by Fr Dr Charles Vas, director of Sangeeta Abinaya Academy presented a cultural programme based on the life of Mother Teresa,

Cardinal saying superb to Fr. Charles Vas,

which aimed at giving a sublime message to the audience.

Dinner packets were served to all at the end of the programme. The event was a memorable to all those who attended the beautiful show.

A scene from the Belle - Mother Teresa

The entire belle troupe

12 May 2014

13

Commemorative Stamp Marks NCCI’s 100 Years Chennai: Marking the National Council of Churches in India’s (NCCI) 100 years of service, the Postal Department released a commemorative stamp in the city recently.

The stamp was officially released in New Delhi

by Vice-President Hamid Ansari, a similar ceremony took place in Chennai, where the centenary year stamp was released by Mervin Alexandar, the Postmaster General of Chennai City region, who was the chief guest.

V Esther Kathiroli, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Christian Council, organised the event held at the CSI Synod, in which dignitaries from various Christian denominations participated. They lauded the government’s initiative to recognise the NCCI’s effort.

“This is truly a historic event as the government has given an authentic recognition of NCCI to society. It is in fact, a matter of pride and privilege to the community that the government, which releases a total of 50 stamps per year, of which 10 are personality stamps, has chosen NCCI. This stamp will surely get into the best of the church thematic collections in stamps,” said Mervin.

The other guests were D R Sadananda, general secretary, CSI Synod; A G

Come, make the best choice of your life-Partner

Augustine Jayakumar, treasurer, NCCI; R D Vijayakumar, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Christian Council, and Bishop, Arcot Lutheran Church.

Royal Christian Family happy to announce the next

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of Brides and Grooms will be held in June 2014 from 10 A. M. to 4 P.M. at, an AC Hall in Mumbai A grand gathering to get acquainted with boys and girls of matching age group who are in search of a suitable Life-Partner of their choice with an ultimate view to matrimony.

O Participants list and other details will be sent 15 days prior to the get-together.

O Lunch, snacks, etc, will be provided at the Get-together.

O Royal Christian Family is having the experience of organising over 60 get-togethers O The meet covers good family boys and girls

in the past.

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12 May 2014

Affirmation Of Our Respect For Motherhood

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mother is like a symphony or chestra. She has been created to be a guide, a comforter and a buffer to life’s problems. She is a woman of many parts with a single mission to ‘be there’ and like a conductor is cheered before the music begins.

Applauded for her Motherhood.

An admirable closeness to the mother has always been a defining factor in family life. The mother has often been the one person who can galvanize the family after a spot of squabbles, or assist those under stress and threat.

She is a haven of consolation, the bedrock to cling to and confide in. The family grows in respect for her motherhood.

In 1925, Ben B. Lindsey and Wainwright Evans wrote a book, Revolt of Modern Youth, a very abiding tribute to mothers. I quote from their book: “I demand for the unmarried mother, as a sacred channel of life, the same reverence and respect as for the married mother; for Maternity is a cosmic thing, and once it has come to pass our conventions must not be permitted to blaspheme it.”

Most families are not the same like all five fingers are not. You will find a few mothers on a blistering path and some broken and pained to live in a marriage tethering on the rocks. Yet, I have found one child or the other, caught in a conflict of family emotions, still in support of the mother. This is an issue to

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12 May 2014

privately ponder on. It is rarely that one will come across a woman who failed at the closeness of Motherhood.

Christian families have always reaffirmed their trust and regard for mothers and the more conservative ideas in support of Motherhood. We never waver on traditional definitions nor do we contradict what we are taught about mothers. The cornerstone of the Christian faith rests on the blessing of Motherhood. All the faithful have been bequeathed the gift for having mothers.

From the cross, Jesus said to the disciple, “Here is your mother”. Jn.19:27.

By these words Christ had bestowed on humankind the precious gift of the mother. It is not that we have been indoctrinated, but that it is true.

The married mother, the single mother, the step-mother or a working- mother are all basically bound to the legacy” of being there” when the going gets tough.

History campaigns within a silent vortex for the pride and respect of mothers. From St. Augustine’s mother to my very own mother, an undying respect for Motherhood remains. No one keeps a low profile on their mother, not if they can help it. “ Those who honor their mother obey the Lord.” Sirach. 3.6. This was the wisdom sent to us in the Book of the Old Testament. The words were a torch to light the path of every mother down the ages. In the Book of Proverbs we are instructed to love and respect our

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mother, especially in the twilight years of her life. “…do not despise your mother when she is old.” Pr.23:22.

BY MELVYN BROWN

In the cozy corners of your soul there will always be a burst of applause for Motherhood, and that’s how it should be. Make it the platform for your respect. Understand, meditate and love the concept of motherhood. And if you are a young girl reading this tribute, smile and open the floodgates of your heart, for you too will one day be a mother, God willing, and the fire of Motherhood will burn inside you.

This is the month of May, the month dedicated to Our Holy Mother, and to all mothers. This month is a celebration to what they truly are : the gift to humankind sent to us in the words of our Lord from the cross. Mothers surround themselves with a desire to love and be loved. The admirable closeness we have to our mother is always wellearned. Make an absolute promise to respect her mission for Motherhood, especially in her old age.

DO YOU KNOW? Summer Hobbies For Children With the world going mad over technology, children do not seem to be far behind. Outdoor games are slowly being replaced by video games, online chats and TV sets.

Kids no more wish to go out and play volley ball or badminton with their friends. This can adversely affect your child's growth, concentration and his/her problem solving abilities. It may also develop some major attitude problems. It is important that you help to develop your child's interest in creative hobbies.

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The Marvellous Month Of Ma(r)y !

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orning comes early with the clatter of pans in the kitchen and the chirrup of birds in the trees. The tresses of darkness are pinned back by ribbons of light as the sun stops by to say ‘ hello ‘ through a lattice of leaves, winking the while at his reflection in your window-pane. Summer is holding her breath In the golden distance ,a rooster crows the hour and the echoes roll on to merge with the sound of approaching wheels bearing with them the clang of crates and the friendly tinkle of bottles.

You toss from a dream into day as the warming sun pours purpose into your lazy bones. Then to the pleasant harmony of babies‘ cries and flowing water, a day begins, a month unfolds – the marvellous month of May, of Holidays ,and of the Mother of God !

Early risers are out on their constitutionals, taking long walks that grow shorter every year ! Their doctor has recommended by- pass surgery…..by pass breakfast , go jogging ,instead.

So there they are, flexing rigid muscles and ‘waisting ‘ away. On the green, future hopefuls attired in colourful briefs, an insolent wind tugging at hemlines, are being given practical training in the science of sports they will later perfect into an art. Mothers/maids wheel babes in carriages ( much as Mary must have done the Christ Child ,in one tooled by her Carpenter spouse ) down paths they will in some hazy future walk alone, as He did , or in pairs .

Out in the gardens, the trees spread their arms wide to welcome the dawn as they flutter green signals to the on-rushing day .Flowers uncurl themselves from sleep and nod velvety greetings to each other, nonchalantly extending perfumed petal s to the lascivious breeze .Morning is doubleparked on the street, one sunny wheel resting against the kerb. Butterflies and bees coquet with the sunbeams on the open lawn.

Hills doff grey hats to the farmer ploughing his field with a will to complete the ‘ spade‘ work for the visit of his

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Bernie Tellis annual guest ,the Monsoon. In the city, those who linger braving the heat in order to help turn the wheels of production, hasten to work by road or rail, while factory sirens summon the late riser and spiralling smoke signals the start of another work day. School/college kids and their guardians are on vacation. The holiday season is really on and parents can put away their school/college books and concentrate on their own work ,for a change!

For those who enjoy the great outdoors- sun-bathing, basking, hitchhiking, camping, loafing, picnicking – there are summer camps and hikes, cycles and mobikes. It‘s the time of workers (labour day),merrymakers,tourist guides and under-takers ! And for the book-worm ,there‘s always a library down the road with an optician conveniently located next door.

And in the cool of the evening, after a shower ,there‘s the Rosary prayed around the grotto of Mary and my name-sake. When we were little ,this practice was a must; not the least because after the final ‘Amen‘, which was said louder than the others, we‘d queue up for the boiled gram and other goodies generously doled out by Auntie Myrtle, Phyllis, Rose… and we‘d hurry home thereafter, rosary clutched tight in one small palm, sticky pack of gram, etc. in the other .Somehow the same stuff prepared by mum at home, never tasted quite as good. And I fancy I sometimes spied a smile on Mary‘s

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face for she knows better than anyone, that a little inducement goes a long way – round 5 decades, in fact ! Though the goodies were not bribes but a‘ thank you‘ for spending time with her. In my child‘s mind, boiled gram became indelibly associated with rosary beads.

May also came with neighbourhood holiday camps viz. tents pitched in the garden by boyscouts, cooking undertaken by girlguides ( pre- women‘s lib era ) a library of comic books, amateur sports, shamateur concerts and contests, fishing, fun and frolic ,culminating in the grand celebration of the Mary, Queen of May feast.For this we would decorate a local cross with borrowed ( or stolen ) blossoms and gather round in pious prayer and Marian chants we so rarely hear today.

There is a festive mood in the family in this glorious month – a ring in every voice, a spring in every step and what passes for Spring ,in the air.Bags are packed as folks head for beaches and hill resorts to shed, together with their inhibitions, the stresses and strains of the year gone by and store up enough pep for the new one ahead. There is a far-off vision of swaying palms, blue skies, summer sands and foaming seas.

Indeed, “ a pool of light,a patch of conversation, a pleasant province of summer`s kingdom “ There is the wind in the hair ,the gleam in the eye ,the salt on the skin. There is V-A-C-AT-I-O-N and all it connotes on the brain and the tourist map in the pocket. There is the luggage,and the old faithful ( not forgetting the pets ) for that trip to Never-Never Land ,off the road to Somewhere. And the wheels seem to move in sync with the echo of voices reciting in unison ,in front of some distant grotto : Holy Mary….Holy Mother of God…Mother most pure…Virgin most faithful…Cause of our joy… Queen of peace….Queen of May…. Pray for us.

Life divides in May, so the poets say.

12 May 2014

Vatican Statistics: Church Growth Remains Steady Worldwide

Did you know?

In 2012 there were 16.4 million baptisms, according to new figures

T

he number of Catholics in the world and the number of priests, permanent deacons and religious men all increased in 2012, while the number of women in religious orders continued to decline, according to Vatican statistics.

The number of candidates for the priesthood also showed its first global downturn in recent years.

The statistics come from a recently published Statistical Yearbook of the Church, which reported worldwide Church figures as of December 31, 2012.

By the end of 2012, the worldwide Catholic population had reached 1.228 billion, an increase of 14 million or 1.14 per cent, slightly outpacing the global population growth rate, which, as of 2013, was estimated at 1.09 per cent.

Catholics as a percentage of the global population remained essentially unchanged from the previous year at around 17.5 per cent.

The latest Vatican statistical yearbook estimated that there were about 4.8 million Catholics that were not included in its survey because they were in countries that could not provide an accurate report to the Vatican, mainly China and North Korea.

According to the yearbook, the percentage of Catholics as part of the general population is highest in the Americas where they make up 63.2 per cent of the continent’s population. Asia has the lowest proportion, with 3.2 per cent.

During the 2012 calendar year, there were 16.4 million baptisms of both infants and adults, according to the statistical yearbook.

It said the number of bishops of the world stayed essentially the same at 5,133.

The total number of priests – diocesan and religious – around the world

12 May 2014

Removes blocks in the blood vessels grew from 413,418 to 414,313, with a modest increase in Africa, a larger rise in Asia, and slight decreases in the Americas, Europe and Oceania. Asia saw a 13.7 per cent growth in the number of priests between 2007 and the end of 2012.

The number of permanent deacons reported – 42,104 – was an increase of more than 1,100 over the previous year and a 17 per cent increase since 2007. The vast majority – more than 97 per cent – of the world’s permanent deacons live in the Americas or in Europe.

The number of religious brothers showed 0.4 per cent growth worldwide. The number of religious brothers totalled 55,314 at the end of 2012.

Slight growth was seen everywhere except the Americas.

The number of women in religious orders continued its downward trend.

The total of 702, 529 temporarily and permanently professed sisters and nuns in 2012 was a 1.5 per cent decrease from the previous year and a 5.9 per cent fall since 2007.

The number of candidates for the priesthood – both diocesan seminarians and members of religious orders – who had reached the level of philosophy and theology studies showed its first downturn since 2003. The number of candidates dropped slightly to 120,051 men at the end of 2012 as compared to 120,616 at end of 2011.

Increases were reported in the traditionally vocations-rich continents of Africa and Asia, although the increases were modest; Africa reported 245 more candidates than in 2011 and Asia reported 179 more men in their final years of study for ordination.

T

he juice of the bottle gourd vegetable removes blocks in the blood vessels of the heart and helps regulate the heart beat effectively. People having blocks in the blood vessels of the heart should consume this juice regularly for 2 months on an empty stomach in the mornings. It reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.

Consuming bottle gourd juice has many health benefits. This simple vegetable is full of minerals and water. Bottle gourd helps fight many small problems keeping you healthy.

Listed below are a few health benefits of bottle gourd juice: Bottle gourd juice is widely used for the weight loss.

It helps reduce the inflammations in the liver and kidneys.

It helps in easing the problem related to constipation. The water and fiber in the bottle gourd make the digestive system free and active.

Bottle gourd helps to treat urinary tract infection. Fresh bottle gourd juice mixed with fresh lime juice is the best remedy for the urinary infections.

Ancient Ayurveda says that bottle gourd prevents premature graying hair. Drinking fresh bottle gourd juice in the morning on a regular basis can be very useful.

Sesame oil when mixed with bottle gourd juice helps to cure problems of insomnia.

— Jubel D'Cruz, Dombivili

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T

How Smart Are You With Your Time?

ime is very essential factor and we must know time manage ment. Time saved is time earned.

Being smart with your time doesn't mean you do more work. It means you get smarter around the tasks that matter.

Using time smartly means not focusing on how busy you are but on results. Staying an extra hour at work at the end of the day may not be the most effective way to manage your time.

You have to learn what to delete, do, delegate or defer and always be aware that the three ways time gets spent is: 1) thoughts, 2) conversations 3) actions.

Some Interesting Facts: • 30% of time at work is spent searching for lost documents.

• A 10 year survey by Harvard revealed 90% of managers squander time.

10% spend their time in a reflective, committed, purposeful manner.

• Office workers are interrupted at work seven times an hour, according to time management experts & 80% of interruptions are considered trivial.

• Unnecessary meetings cost U.S businesses approximately $37 billion dollars a year.

• 21% of employees miss vital deadlines through disorganisation and poor time management.

• 80 - 85% of patients at Mayo Clinic are ill directly or indirectly through emotional stress.

• 63% of financial advisers describe themselves to be poor in time management skills.

• 70% of employees admit they work beyond scheduled time due to not managing their time effectively.

Many top corporate employers send employees on time management courses.

Why? Because we all have the same amount of hours in a day, but few of us implement positive changes that affect the way we approach our time. Time

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fierce, so you need to position, package and promote yourself intelligently and strategically. Excellent time management skills helps you to present yourself in an engaging and empowering way.

These top tips for time management need to be a pervasive part of your life as they are a set of skills and behaviors all high achievers use on a daily basis.

Remember there is NO short cut to anyplace worth going. waits for NO ONE, and spending your time efficiently can transform your life.

Being anxious & disorganized is a waste of time. Being smart with your time, frees up your brain and means you can make better-informed decisions.

As women it's essential we let go of the constant "need to be needed" and practice supreme self care. You do not have to over explain, defend or debate your position. Your needs are always valid. It is essential to schedule your priorities from a new perspective.

When you are immersed in a crazy schedule, it's easy to loose track of where/how your precious time is being spent.

Do you spend time on a task that's not important and partly complete a task which is important, or postpone it for another occasion?

Procrastination is destructive, as in order to perform a procrastinated task you have to squeeze current tasks or leave other tasks unattended. If you don't do anything about managing your time the outcome of your tasks may not be of excellence. This is not due to your skills, or knowledge, but down to poor time management.

When I was a head hunter for one of Noel Edmonds media companies, it was full on for everyone, and so I made it a priority to note which of my team arrived each day on time, completed tasks on time, created action plans, and worked in a systematic manner by managing their working hours effectively.

Here's the thing - competition is

• Take the first 30 minutes of each day to schedule your day.

• Start with a time plan and six top priorities and do not start on a new priority until you have finished all six. If any are uncompleted, roll over to the next day. Always keep to six at a time.

• If you are an entrepreneur you cannot eliminate interruptions, however the antidote to overload treadmill is setting boundaries, which will help you gain control, and shed stress. Remind yourself constantly to maintain your boundaries.

• The skill you need to make changes and break out of poor time management is the same one you use to fuel the achievement track, self -discipline.

• Disconnect instant messaging.

• Take five minutes before each call and task to decide what result you want to attain. Take five minutes after each call to determine if your desired result was achieved.

• Plan to spend 50% of your time engaged in thoughts, actions and conversations that will produce results.

• Schedule appointments with yourself for top priority thoughts, conversations and actions and be disciplined enough to stick with these appointments.

• Remember if you don't take care of you, how can you take care of business?

Creativity is a precursor to innovation, so if you want to remain innovative, you need to "get smart with your time"

12 May 2014

Inspiration!

Make Choices Carefully In Life

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o one else can ever make your choices for you. Your choices are yours alone. They are as much a part of you as every breath you will take, every moment of your life O You

may think that in life, a lot of things happen to you along the way.

The truth is, in life, you happen to a lot of things along the way.

O Choosing to live your life by your own choice is the greatest freedom you will ever have.

O It is only when you exercise your right to choose that you can also exercise your right to change.

O It is your programming that has created your choices in the past. It is the choices you make today that are creating the programs of your future.

O If you were given only one choice: To choose or not to choose, which would you choose?

O The choices we make by accident are just as important as the choices we make by design.

O Another person’s choice is nothing more than another alternative for you to consider.

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O There

is no life as complete as the life that is lived by choice.

O There may be a thousand little choices in a day. All of them count.

O Whatever you choose, you might as well enjoy it. It is your choice.

O When you have a problem, make a choice…you’ll feel better.

O If you’d like to know what your choices have been, look at yourself and the life you have lived.

What you see is the choices you’ve made.

O Who knows what you could accomplish in life if you made more of the right choices along the way?

O Some people choose to live by complaining. Other people choose to live.

O You cannot manage your life if you do not manage your self. You cannot manage your self if you do not manage your choices. Manage your choices, and you will manage your life.

O Learning what to choose, and how to choose, may be the most important education you will ever receive.

O The choices we make in the heat of emotion would be better if left for some other day.

O Listen to the quietest whispers of your mind. They are telling you the choices that will help you the most.

O Even the best of choices is only as strong as the choices that stand by its side.

O It is the big choices we make that set our direction. It is the smallest choices we make that get us to the destination.

O Each day that passes, your choices will come and go. They are like diamonds in a chest of jewels, each waiting to be discovered.

O Those

who choose to succeed always do better than those who never choose at all.

Lessons On Life There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come sometime or later.

—Agnelo Rodrigues

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MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : East Indian Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 35 years, Ht. 5' 61/ ”, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. 2 B.Com., PGDBA, working as a Sap Consultant. Contact email : clyntp@gmail.com OR 28957760 (Regd. No. 6085) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 45 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. SSC, well settled. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Mob.: 9867764737 (Regd. No. 6022) MUMBAI : Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 28 years, Ht. 6’, Wheatish Complexion, medium Built, born & brought up in Bombay. Family oriented with caring disposition. Edn. BE (Autombiles) working as an Engineer R & D. Seeks alliance with a tall, educated working girl with a positive attitude.

Contact email : ryan_85@rediffmail.com OR 9820699101 (Regd. No. 6017) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 43 years looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XIIth std., Working as a Co-ordinator. Contact : 9767630415. (Regd. No. 5892) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 6’ 1”, Fair Complexion, Edn. BE and Masters in Computers (IT) from London, working in an MNC (IT) in Mumbai, Seeks an educated, simple, mangalorean girl. Contact email : johnsonquadros@yahoo.co.in OR 28618926 / 9920631575 (Regd. No. 6014) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Parents seek alliance for their Bachelor son, 28 years, Postgraduate Engineer, 5’ 11”, loving and caring with good family values, fair and handsome, working for a reputed company in Mumbai from God loving RC Mangalorean Spinster, Kindly reply with latest photgraph to Email : lifepartner414@yahoo.com or 9892286077 (Regd. No. 6009) MUMBAI: Goan Roman Catholic

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Bachelor, aged 36 years, Ht. 5' 6”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Undergraduate, Self-employed, having own bungalow type accommodation financially sound. Seeks a suitable Roman Catholic Spinster, simple, homely and having good family background age upto 32 years. Contact email : pintolazarus2012@ gmail.com Tel.: 26480771 / 9223394713 (Regd. No. 5809) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 33 years. Ht. 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.E. Mech. working as a Manager. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : graceydsouza@gmail.com OR Tel.: 26787431 (Regd. No. 5908) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 32 years. Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 58 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. LLB., B.Com., working in Indian Railways.

Seeks a Mangalorean educated girl. Contact Email : graceydsouza@gmail.com OR Tel.: 26787431 (Regd. No. 5909) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelore aged 31 years. Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 64 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Accounts Officer in MNC. Seeks a simple working graduate Mangalorean girl. Contact Email: ashwin_roche@yahoo.com OR 9892386686 / 9403644066 (Regd.

No. 5913) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Bachelor aged 41 years. Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 65 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. S.S.C. A/ C Tech. Course, working as a A/C. Technician in U.A.E. Contact Email : jeedza@gmail.com OR 8976361324 / 24460855 (Regd. No. 5911) MUMBAI: Goan RC Bachelor, aged 46 years, Ht. 5' 2”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 10th Std.,

Members are requested to inform us when they are settled, so that publication of their details can be discontinued.

working as a A.C. Technician. Seeks a suitable Goan girl. Contact email : austindsouza.884@gmail.com OR 9702343825 (Regd. No. 5817) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 32 years, Ht. 6’ 2”, Wt. 87 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, Banker, well settled.

Seeks a bride below 29 years, tall, prefereably Mangalorean. Contact Email: anthony.eternity@gmail.com OR Mob.: 9820863381. (Regd. No. 5842) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian RC Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 111/2”, Wt. 84 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E., Mumbai University, having own business. Seeks a Roman Catholic educated girl from Mumbai, below 27 years.

Contact : Email: snad2450@gmail.com OR 28388034 (Regd. No. 5896) BANGALORE : Mangalorean Catholic parents based in Bangalore, seek alliance for son 31/5’8”, slim, B.E. Bangalore, double Masters USA, working in USA, from God fearing, good looking, slim, Mangalorean Catholic spinster, preferably IT professional working in USA, age below 29.

Contact email : pgzmonteiro@yahoo.com Or Mob.: 9845417838. (Regd. No. 5940) GOA : Goan RC Bachelor, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 73 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn.B.B.A., working as a HR. Executive, working in Kuwait.

Contact email : gretafern@gmail.com.

OR 9890656294 (Regd. No. 5936) Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 12 May 2014

MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 28 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 49 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Sr. Research Associates. Contact email : verita.dsouza@gmail.com OR 9167719433 / 8879287910 (Regd. No. 6094) MUMBAI : Roman Catholic Goan Spinster, aged 31 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 50 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, I have done my MBA in finance and am working as a research analyst and consultant in Bombay. I am a very practical and logical person. I believe in striking a balance between work and personal life. Pursuing my hobbies means luxury to me. I like learning new things and developing new hobbies. I love traveling, dancing, jogging, exercising and adventure. Looking for someone well educated, mature, sensible and jovial. If you find my profile interesting contact me on; email : miss.dynamic09@gmail.com OR 9594090936 (Regd. No. 6068) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 36 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. A.A. Degree from US, Presently in Mumbai working for a reputed company.

Contact email : perpetual4u2012@yahoo.in OR 28933931 (Regd. No. 6031) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 28 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., MBA (Finance) working as a Jr. Manager in Bank. Seeks a suitable match.

Contact Email : oldgoa2012@gmail.com OR 9869765169 (Regd. No. 5916) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 34 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Edn. B. Com., Dip. in Business Management, Working as an Admin Inchagre for a reputed Pharmaceutical Company.

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 12 May 2014

Seeks a Goan educated Bachelor upto 38 years. Contact Email : ferns1178@gmail.com OR 9820724100 (Regd. No. 5915) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatsish Complexion, Edn. MBA (Finance) working as a Research Assistant in Pvt. Sector. Contact email : roshan.gomendes@ yahoo.co.in OR 9167140184 (Regd. No. 5938) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic parents seek alliance for their daughter 29 years, 5’ 4’, fair, good looking smart Chartered Accountant working for a reputed company in Mumbai from well settled Professionally Qualified CA or MBA or Engineers RC bachelors below 33 years good family background and values preferably from Mumbai. We would appreciate if your response includes a full-length latest photo, contact number, relevant personal and family details. Email : gjl1505@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5944) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 50 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MA, B.Ed., Advtg. dip., Lecturer by profession.

Contact email : geraldineferns@gmail.com OR 9833804332 (Regd. No. 5947) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 39 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 70 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.D.S. Dentist by profession. Email : drcleona@yahoo.com Tel.: 25633474 (Regd. No. 5997) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 27 years, Ht. 4’ 11”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. T.Y.B.A., Teacher by profession.

Contact email : sneha_shetty09@hotmail.com OR 9819126871 (Regd. No. 5995) KOLHAPUR : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 52 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA (HR), MBA (System), Lecturer by profession. Seeks a well educated with good family background. Contact email : srm13_serin@yahoo.com OR 9226088408 / 9226944426 (Regd. No.

5991) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.com, (Accounting) GNIIT, Working as an Accounts Executive. Seeks a Mangalorean educate and well settled boy below 30 years. Contact email : nishalobo88@gmail.com OR 26324478. (Regd. No. 6089) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 38 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.A., (Economics), working as a Purchase Manager. Contact email : lynette_d03@yahoo.com OR 9967501128 (Regd. No. 6088) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 28 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. T.Y. B.A., working as a Back Office Executive.

Contact email : sicnarf_100@yahoo.com OR 8698573064 (Regd. No. 6087) MUMBAI : Goan R.C. Spinster, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 65 kgs, Fair Complexion, B.Com., working as a SME, Seeks sober, well settled bachelor.

Contact : email : megna.fernandes@gmail.com OR 9820264984 (Regd. No. 6007) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 33 years, Ht. 4’ 5”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.B.A., in HR working as a HR. Contact : 9820217917 (Regd. No. 6086) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 70 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn.BMS/P)GDBA, working as a Senior executive. Contact email : zeenal.remedios@yahoo.in OR 9869180059 (Regd. No. 6084) Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

Please renew your membership at lease a month in advance before its expiration date.

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Feedback On Family Survey In India (Contd.. from p. 5) other things, that the feedback indicated that no survey involving the families had been conducted, and expressing the laity’s disappointment at the same. This letter was circulated to my group on 24th April. In the interim I received another response from Mumbai also stating that a questionnaire had been received but not answered, for reasons similar to what I have already stated. Cardinal Gracias again replied on 24th April reiterating that the matter has been forwarded to the CCBI (Latin Rite) Family Commission, and that the Synod Secretariat (in Rome?) was dealing directly with the Oriental Churches (Syro-Malabar and Syro Malankara Rites) BOMBAY SURVEY: At about this time we also received information that the Questionnaire had been put up on the Diocesan website, and published in the largely circulated diocesan weekly “The Examiner”. Bp Angelo Gracias candidly admitted that there was not a single response to the Questionnaire!

This raises two very fundamental questions: (ii) Was there a mismatch between the Questionnaire’s content and the respondents to whom it was addressed? (ii) Was this a case of deliberate obfuscation?

THE INSIDE STORY: I recently met a bishop who is a close friend. We discussed several issues for over an hour.

I asked him about the Questionnaire.

This is what he had to say: He had received the Questionnaire with the instructions that it had to be replied to in 15 days. The bishop (a very sincere person) declined for the following reasons: (i) There was not enough time to translate it into Hindi, the local language, disseminate it, and then collate the response (ii) Several of the ques-

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tions relating to homosexuality, same sex marriages etc are non-issues in India.

On my persistence I was told that the Family Survey was NOT discussed by the CBCI (supra-ritual body) during its Plenary Assembly in Palai in February. However, it was raised by some Latin Rite bishops at their meeting of the CCBI, but nothing concrete emerged.

CONCLUSION: If several countries like Japan, Germany, England, etc could conduct the Survey in the stipulated time frame , why was it not done in India, more so when one of the Pope’s handpicked group of eight advisors is here, and was at the time heading both the CBCI and CCBI ? Does this not amount to disrespect for Pope Francis’s stated intentions? Does it also not amount to betrayal of the aspirations of the laity in India, and its families who are the Domestic Church? Has there been a deliberate cover up, to avoid facing embarrassing questions; and presenting a rosy, but grossly distorted picture, to Rome? Unfortunately, the

Catholic Church in India, and the universal Church, are the poorer for this.

It is worth pointing out that when the Vatican organizes a Year for Priests or a Year for Faith, then the entire church apparatus goes into overdrive to organize a yearlong campaign, with prayer cards etc. However, when something is aimed at the families (laity) then it is treated much too casually, almost scornfully.

In the circumstances the enlightened lay leaders of India are left with no option but to organize their very own National Consultation on Catholic Families, and forward the findings to Rome, and to empathetic organizations in differed parts of the world like CCRIL. It is also their duty to expose the fraud and betrayal of the Catholic hierarchy of India. It would have been one of its best kept secrets, had it not been for a seemingly innocuous report in the Press, that this writer took up in right earnest.

DISCLAIMER: The averments made in this report are based on inputs received from various sources, and believed to be true.

Kerala Health Department launches 'Dial a Doctor' service The Health Department is launched a ‘Dial a Doctor’ service, which will enable the public to seek health-related advice over phone round-the-clock from doctors, by dialling a toll-free number.

The service is being made available to the public through the department’s call centre, Disha, which can be accessed through the phone number 1056.

The caller can seek advice from doctors on health-related issues, firstaid, vaccination and so on. A selected panel of 74 doctors from various specialties have been set up to help the

Health Department deliver this service. At least eight doctors will be available on a given day to answer queries.

As this is the examination season, a separate panel of 10 psychologists will specially answer calls from children on dealing with exam-related stress and on their other concerns.

The calls will be handled by 21trained counsellors who will route the calls to the doctors judiciously.

The project is being managed by the National Health Mission, with technical support from Technoparkbased firm OrisysIndia Consultancy Services.

12 May 2014

Lay People Should Enter Politics To Serve Others: Cardinal Alencherry However, the laity should not engage in party politics to mislead Christians.

They should join political parties to use their leadership roles to work for the welfare of humanity, the cardinal said.

Thrissur: Lay people should not in indulge in party politics only to create confusion and acrimony among Christians, says Cardinal George Alencherry.

“Laity should enter politics to serve humanity working for the welfare of their brethren in all communities,” said the head of the Syro Malabar Church while opening the Thrissur unit of the Catholic Congress on Monday.

The cardinal clarified that although the Catholic Church does not indulge in party politics, it encourages its lay members to join politics and strive to assume leadership roles in the country. “The laity is part of the Church and they have to have politics,” he added.

The head of more than 5 million Oriental Catholics said the Catholic Church does not work for just one particular community in any country. It works for harmony and unity among people of all communities wherever it exists, the cardinal added.

Cardinal George Alencherry

Archbishop Andrews Thazahath of Trichur presided over the meeting that was attended among others by Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar, a native of Thrissur.

Creating future leaders in the community through the project:

‘Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top’ Youth are the pillars upon which a nation’s future is built. It is true that in this challenging era of globalisation, our youth must be nurtured, educated and guided towards the right path. There is a need for the youth of our community to strengthen their faith by adopting the right mindset and acquiring a wealth of knowledge.

With this objectives in mind we have been conducting special youth seminars entitled ‘Leaders in the Making and Reaching to the Top’ since 10 years. So far over 8000 youth have participated and benefited in the 12 seminars which have been guided by expert resource persons. Guiding our youth as effective future leaders and shine in top positions within and outside the country is our dream which we want to turn it into reality, The Entire project is conducted absolutely Free for the participants.

This appeal is an invitation specially for people who are concerned about our youth and their bright future to be a part of this project : THE SECULAR CITIZEN 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001.

Tel.: 22693578, 22654924 Emails: secular@vsnl.com / secular@sezariworld.com

12 May 2014

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RNI No. 56987/92

Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.

12 May 2014

Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14

The Secular Citizen and Divo Weekly Friendly Group Organising

Tour of

WESTERN EUROPE EASTERN EUROPE HOLY LAND All important sights and pilgrimage centres Includes : O Airfare O Visas O Accommodation in Hotels O Travel Insurance O Luxury A/C coach O sightseeing O Tips & Gratuities O Daily Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner O Water O English Speaking Licensed Guide.

For more details Contact : The Secular Citizen / Divo

22693578, 22654924 Email: secular@vsnl.com / secular@sezariworld.com Printed and Published by Lawrence Coelho at The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Harihar Nivas, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel.: 2269 3578, 2265 4924 12 May 2014 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo

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