Circular 13/2011
Circular 13/2011 December 25, 2011
Christmas Message
JESUS – LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Dear Friends and Well-wishers,
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8/12).” This has been proved true by the disciples and followers of Jesus that He is the light of the world and whoever follows him will have the light of life. The history of the Church bears witness to the Great light Jesus. Christmas celebrations invite us to adore the Light of the world Jesus and receive the light of life. It is incredible to see God becoming one among us in the person of Jesus to offer the light of life. But, it is in deep faith, we believe that God came down on earth to enlighten our minds to live a life in love, peace, charity, and harmony.
Jesus not only said I am the light of the world but also taught us saying, “You are the light of the world…..your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Mt 5/14-16)”. Jesus the light of the world has given us a way of life that lights up our life and impels us to brighten the life of others. We have undertaken several ministries to bring relief and comfort to the sick and suffering and build a promising future for our people in Khandwa diocese.
Our Life Brightening the Life of Others:
Blessed are we that we have received the Good News of Jesus who is the light of life. We have been called to share this Good News through our different ministries. The most prominent ministry of Khandwa diocese is our hostels and schools.
Our Hostels and Schools: Our diocese has 27 hostels with over 2000 children from tribal and socially marginalized people, mostly from the villages. The poor boys and girls are being educated and empowered very specially in the rural areas. These children in our hostels have much better facilities and conducive atmosphere for their studies. The children of different tribes and castes learn to live together, study together, pray together, and play together in our hostels. Certainly, the hostel children spend more time on their studies and there is career guidance to help these little children to look towards their future realistically. They get plenty of opportunities to develop their skills and abilities in games, sports, arts, music, dance, agriculture,…etc. Our schools and hostels definitely lay a good foundation for these children to be morally upright and responsible citizens of our Country.
The children celebrate the national and religious festivals such as Deepavali, Holi, Rakhi, Muharram, Christmas, Teachers day, Children’s day.. etc in our hostels and schools regularly. They learn to respect people of other religions. Through our schools and hostels in the villages and towns, we provide value based education to these poor tribal and dalit children. I am deeply grateful to our donors, friends and agencies who generously offer their support and help to our hostels and village schools.
Healthcare and Socio-developmental Activities: In the area of health care and social apostolate, our effort has been to focus on the weaker sections of the society to promote self-reliant and healthy communities with equality, justice, and harmony. Our Khandwa Diocesan Social Services, hospitals and village healthcare centres have been providing healthcare, income generation, livelihood, empowerment, rehabilitation, education, medical service to many poor and needy people in the villages.
Every year, we have been organizing a Free Plastic Surgery Camp for the poor patients who are in need of plastic surgery. This year, we had a free plastic surgery camp from 7th to 17th November 2011 at Holy Cross hospital in Sanawad. There were 94 surgeries done this year that brought new life and joy to those patients. I express my sincere thanks to the surgeons, doctors, nurses team from Germany and USA for their service to the poor in Khandwa Diocese.
Year of Youth 2011
Several activities such as pilgrimages, seminars, training programmes, Bible quiz competitions, Cricket matches were organized during this year of youth to strengthen the faith and motivation of our youth. A special prayer composed for the year of youth has been said everyday for the youth in all the parishes and institutions of Khandwa diocese throughout this year 2011.
We have been specially called and blessed to radiate the light of Christ. May all our diverse ministries dispel the darkness of sin and suffering and bring peace to people. We pray that the Light of Christ may kindle our hearts to shine forth in love and charity throughout this New Year 2012. I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
Christmas Celebration with Local Dignitaries & Religious Leaders
The government officials of Khandwa district, local dignitaries and religious leaders will join our Christmas celebration at the Bishop’s House from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on December 25, 2011.
Christmas Celebration - Khandwa Diocese Priests and Religious
All the priests and religious of Khandwa diocese are requested to join the Christmas get together on 28th December 2011 at Fr. John Thayil’s Memorial Auditorium in St. Pius Hr. Sec. School campus. We will begin with the Eucharistic Celebration at 10.30 a.m.
Christmas Gift to Employees
Each employee of the diocese in our parishes and institutions will get Rs.400.00 as Christmas gift from our office and you may generously add your own contribution to your employees.
YOUTH CONVENTION & YEAR OF YOUTH (December 28-30, 2011)
28th Dec - 4.00 p.m. …….Registration ……Inauguration of Youth Convention
30th Dec - 6.30 p.m. ……Cultural Programme & Closing Ceremony of the year of youth.
May the youth convention strengthen the faith of our youth and make them more responsible citizens. May the Lord bless them with leadership skills and Christian values.
Missionary Meeting & Jubilee Celebration, January 23-24, 2012
The annual assembly of all the priests, religious, commission members, superiors and laity representatives of our diocese will be held at Divyodaya Pastoral Centre in Khandwa. It will begin at 10 a.m. on 23rd January 2012 and conclude with the Jubilee Eucharistic celebration of our priests and religious on 24th January 2012.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Golden, Ruby and Silver Jubilee Celebrations: During this joyful season, let us praise and thank God for the gift of these jubilarians in our diocese. We extend our hearty congratulations to them and pray for many more years of their priestly and religious service in the diocese of Khandwa.
Golden Jubilee
Sr, Berchmans SJSM
Ruby Jubilee
Fr. Jose Vaipana
Sr. Anita OSA
Silver Jubilee
Fr. Mathew Thekumkattil
Fr. Cyriac Pallikunnel
Sr. Victoria OSA
Sr. Sundari OSA
Sr. Shalini SJSM
Sr. Louis Mary SAT
Sr. Reisy FCC
Pray for the Deceased
Mr. Thomas Viruthakulankara (27/11.2011) – Brother of Archbishop Abraham V.
Mr. Thomas (18/11/2011) – Uncle of Fr. Mathew K.J.
My Schedule
Dec 3 St. Pius H. S. School Annual Sports Meet
Dec 4 Deshgaon Parish
Dec 6 Sr. Luis’ Jubilee Celebration, Sisters of St. Anne, Borgaon
Dec 8 Archbishop’s House blessing & Inauguration, Bhopal
Dec 9 St. Mary’s H. S. School, Barwah
Dec 10 Khandwa Diocesan Education Society, Khandwa Diocese Governing Body Meetings
Dec 11 St. Xavier’s School Annual Day Celebration, Pandhana
Dec 17 Sophia Convent H. S. School Decennial Celebration
Dec 18 Blessing & Inauguration of St. Theresa’s H. S. School Extension
St. Xavier International School Annual Day Celebration, Burhanpur
Dec 19 St. Mary’s H. S. School Annual Day Celebration, Barwani
Dec. 20 St. Thomas H. S. School Annual Day Celebration, Khandwa
Dec 21 St. Mary’s H. School, Bhikengaon
Dec 28 Christmas Gathering
Jan 11 Sr. Reisy’s Jubilee Celebration, Bhilenkeda
Jan 16-17 SVD Provincial Assembly, Indore
Jan 23-24 Missionary Meeting, Jubilee Celebration, Khandwa
Jan 28 Jubilee Celebration, Augustinian Sisters, Suklia, Indore
Jan 29 Pastoral Visit, Pandhana
Jan 30 – Feb 11 CBCI Meeting, Bangalore
Feb 13 Jubilee Celebration & Catholic Mission School Annual Day, Deoli
Feb 17 Priestly Ordination of Dinesh Bhalrai SVD, Aulia
Feb 18-19 Pastoral Visit, Pansemal
Feb 21-22 Bible Commission Members Meeting – M.P. Dioceses
Yours in the Divine Word,
+ A.A.S. Durairaj SVD
Bishop of Khandwa
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