In July, in Jesuit parishes around the world, the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola is celebrated with enthusiasm. St. Ignatius, nobleman and soldier, was not a religious man. Injured in battle and bored in hospital, he began to read the lives of the Saints. He was so amazed at their exploits and sufferings in the service of the Lord that he was converted.

He went on to found one of the most renowned religious orders - the Jesuits, famous for their educational methods and spiritual exercises. Today, five hundred years later, they continue to flourish. We are proud to be a Jesuit parish.

We also remember 27.07.2005 when flood waters entered the sanctuary of our church. We pray that this year we will be spared.

-Marie D'Souza
 
 

 THE ASSUMPTION DAY OF INDEPENDENCE

The Mother of God has no tomb on earth.
It's a fact we take on trust.
For, how could a Queen who was so chaste,
Have her body turned to dust?

When our Blessed Lady was aged and ill,
And feeble in every way,
God took her bodily up to heaven,
It was India's Independence Day.

On this auspicious national day,
Let us remember where
Our freedom fighters gave their lives,
So that no foreign yoke we bear.

We celebrate our nation's pride
And our glorious freedom anew,
The Queen of Heaven on that same day
Was crowned by the Almighty too.

- Tess Mascarenhas

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PARISH PRIEST

If the PP occasionally preaches 3 minutes longer, then he is said to have put on a long playing record.
If he speaks loudly while delivering his sermon, he shouts.
If he speaks in an ordinary tone, he cannot be understood.
If he visits his parishioners, he meddles in their private affairs.
If he stays at home, he does not visit his parishioners.
If he asks fro donations, he is greedy for money.
If he does not arrange picnics and fetes, the parish is dead.
If he starts Mass punctually, his watch is fast.
If he starts a minute late, he keeps the whole parish waiting.
If he decorates the church, he spends money uselessly.
If he does not do it, he allows things to fall to ruin.
If he is young, he has no experience.
If he is old, he should think of retiring.
If he dies, there will be no one to take his place.

BALLOONS???

Do you get all excited when you see balloons? I still do!!!

On 01st July, 2007, we celebrated the feast of St. Peter at our Parish at St. Peter's , Bandra. The entrance to the church was decorated with colourful red, yellow and white balloons. As I walked through the entrance, it was a refreshing sight to see so many balloons. A few of us even commented on the pretty sight. One lady said it was sweet of our Parish Priest, Fr. Gerard Rodricks to brighten up the graveyard with balloons. Some said it was because it was the children's mass and Feast Day, we had balloons.

Fr. Gerard during his sermon explained to us the reason for the balloons. He said that Peter was a person who was not steady , who went where he liked when he was young, but after he encountered Jesus, he became rock solid and Jesus chose Peter to build His Church.

Balloons in the same way are like Peter, they blow with the breeze in any direction, but the church built by God's people are strong. Fr. Gerard ended with a thought provoking question to each one of us children and adults : "What do you want to be, a balloon going in any direction and unsteady, or to be like a rock, solid in your faith, especially when your boat is tossed?"

The choice , my friends, is yours. I know what I chose. I chose the Rock over the Balloons.

God bless you.

- Debika

Editorial

Praying with Sacred Images
- Fr. P. Ribes, s.j.

Why do we have to attend Mass every Sunday?

Parish Happenings (Saphale Trek, Confirmation Camp, Youth Camp, Lectors Meet)

How would you like to be a Parish Priest?

Balloons???