A Christmas message by Anil Severin sj c/o BBN

A Christmas message by Ashok Vaghela sj

Christmas message by Bishop Thomas [Ahmedabad Diocese]

Rev.Fr. Herbert A. de Souza, S.J -15th death Anniversary

A painting of Herbert D'Souza sj

Rev.Fr. Herbert A. de Souza, S.J. 

peacefully went to his Heavenly Father on Monday December 15, 1997, at 7.30 a.m., in Los Angeles. Fr. De Souza was born in Karachi (now in Pakistan) on August 14, 1918. His parents were from Goa. Fr. De Souza was a loving son and brother to his family, and a faithful Jesuit who spent his life in the service of others, especially the poor and downtrodden of India. After completing his doctoral studies in English Literature at Columbia University, Fr. De Souza became the founding president of St. Xavier’s University College in Ahmedabad, India. In a few years he made St. Xavier’s the top university college in the whole state of Gujarat. After fifteen years as president of St. Xavier’s he moved to Rome, and was made the counselor for education to the General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Pedro Arrupe, S.J. From Rome he came to Los Angeles and earned a Masters in Communication Arts at Loyola Marymount University. Later, he taught creative writing at the same university. Simultaneously, he was involved in the production of a number of nationally acclaimed religious television programs in Los Angeles. Fr. De Souza was a superb orator, whose skills were honed at Speakers’ Corner at Hyde Park, London early in his life. He was invited to give the commencement address at his own graduation at Loyola Marymount University. His talk is remembered even today. He was a much sought after speaker in lecture circuits across the continent. His range of knowledge of classical and modern literature, his mastery of the English language and outstanding wit kept his audiences enthralled. As a priest, his homilies touched many lives, and his popularity and immense. Fr. De Souza’s experiences with the mass media in the United States made him realize the tremendous potential of the media for education and human development in India. He made it his Mission to use media to empower the powerless. Gurjarvani, Xavier Centre for Culture and Communication, run by the Jesuits in Gujarat, enabled him to carry out this mission. With his extensive network of friends he guided and supported the outstanding work of Gurjarvani in the field of media for education and human development. His sole concern throughout the latter part of his life was the continuation of his Mission. Herbert de Souza was a very large-hearted man, whose sensitivity and compassion reached numerous people in India, the United States, and through out the world. He touched many lives profoundly. He created a family of friends who support his Mission for the poor in India.
 Rappai P sj

Fr Ordonez Last rites 8th dec 2012 5pm

Ordonez Ignace was laid to rest near the shrine.

Ordonez Ignacio is laid to rest at this Shrine

On the 8th Dec 2012 at 5 pm was the funeral service of Fr Ordonez at Unteshwari Srine [ Unteshwari Mariam Matanu Mandir].
Teo Bishops and large number of local people attended the service.

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio (GUJ) 84/68 expired

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio

R.I.P.

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio (GUJ) 84/68 expired this morning due to heart  attack (08- 12-2012 ) at Unteshwari.

The funeral will be held at 5.00 p.m ( today) in  Unteshwari  Shrine, Kadi  on  08-12-2012.

Please remember him in your prayers.

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj SJ

Socius

GUJ

Personal Information

Birth: 23 -10-1928 9 (Spain, Navarra)

Entered SJ: 26-08-1944 ( Loyola Spain)

Priesthood: 24-03-1958 ( Anand- Gujarat)

Final vows: 02-02-1977 9 Nanakantharia)

Responsibilities held

Asst PP: Retreat house, Baroda—1960

PP at Gothada—1961

Asst PP at Bhilodas—1971-1973

PP at Nanakantharia -- !973-1983

Socius to the Provincial –1984-1989

PP at Meghrej –1989-1993

Asst PP at Meghrej—1993-1994

Asst.PP at Bhiloda—1994-2004

Asst.PP at Unteshwari—2004-2012

‘Christayan’ a Hindi Film on Jesus

‘Christayan’ a Hindi Film on Jesus
By Varghese Alangadan         Indore:                                      

A six-hour-long film on Jesus in Hindi, directed by a Catholic priest, was released on Dec. 2 after he worked seven years on it with a team of some 200 amateur actors and technical staff.

Divine Word Father Geo George's unique movie with the name ‘Christayan’ (the journey of Christ)
 was released in Indore.

Most part of the film was made in Madhya Pradesh but the team of actors had to visit 10 states including the northeastern part of India.

The team of over 200 people included scientists, professors, doctors, teachers, social activists, farmers, atheists, students, media persons, priests and religious sisters.

Ankit Sharma, a Hindu young man, acted as Jesus. Over 80 percent of the artists were "friends of Jesus" from other religions.

‘Christayan’ has an eastern flavor with Indian socio-cultural backgrounds and aesthetics interwoven with various genres of Indian music, rendered by some of the best singers and musicians of time.

Father George wrote the script, lyrics and also supervised the make up and costumes.

The priest had been a grass root level missionary in the interior villages of the state.

“Jesus, the living and loving God, is present with us and within us. So we need to experience Him amidst us as Indians,” he said. This faith in the Universal Christ is filmed with sociocultural worldview, he added.

The priest said his concept of making the film in an Asian context originated when he was a student of theology and came to know the meaning of ‘incarnation’.

His desire to know about what was happening to religions world over, the schisms, heresies, fatwas, excommunications, extremism and killing in the name of faith only intensified his passion to make the movie, he said.

He said that he has not made a film to increase the sentimental piety to Jesus and make him an object of worship.

“I have presented Jesus as a prophet committed to empower women and give them a dignified place in the society,” he said.

Jesus is presented as a person who is concerned about environment, defending the oppressed, teaching lessons of optimism and positive attitude, he added.

Inculturation is best expressed in the film by the celebration of festival of light. Bhagwat Gita and Vedas also find honorable presentation in the movie.

Neetu Joshi, a Hindu educationist, said the film should have happened fifty years ago. “It will remove misconceptions against Christ and Christianity,” she added.

Filmograph Film Festival

6th to 9th Dec 2012

At B.K. Hall
Pritamnagar Akhada
Nr Jalaram Temple.
Ellis bridge

Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

 Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

November 19, 2012

Mayor Eric J Kellogg’s speech honoring renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest, Fr. Cedric Prakash, s.j.

Dear Council Members and my fellow citizens,

It is my privilege to welcome you all today to this event, which symbolizes the values of our nation and the spirit of the City of Harvey. We are gathered here today to appreciate and honor a man who lives thousands of miles away, but whose heart beats for peace, justice and the well being of all humanity. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest from India Fr. Cedric Prakash!

You may recall that in March of this year, our City Council passed a resolution condemning the horrific massacres in Gujarat in 2002, and expressing solidarity with the victims and survivors of that pogrom. The Gujarat pogrom is known for the killing of over 2,000 people and the displacement of over 150,000, and indeed represents one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. On the other hand, the struggle for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat carnage is a story of selfless service, of a relentless quest for peace and of undying love for humanity. Fr. Cedric Prakash is one of those rare individuals who symbolize these great qualities.

Fr. Cedric Prakash is the director of an organization called Prashant in the city of Ahmedabad, which was the epicenter of the horrendous crimes against humanity that were perpetrated in Gujarat in 2002. The organization is in the forefront of monitoring and documenting human rights violations and advocating for religious harmony. Fr. Prakash himself, as the founding director of this organization has worked tirelessly to build bridges among various groups, and to secure justice and rehabilitation for the survivors. He has also been vocal in highlighting the ongoing plight of minorities in Gujarat and other parts of India.

Fr. Prakash’s work in the field of humanitarian advocacy predates the tragic events in Gujarat.  He has worked ceaselessly to bring about religious harmony in the diverse religious landscape of India. This cause, for which he has worked selflessly for several decades, has been recognized in India and abroad. In 1995, the President of India conferred him with the Kabir Puraskar, for his work in the promotion of religious harmony. In 2003, the Indian American Muslim Council presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award for Humanitarian Work. In 2006, he was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest French civilian awards, in recognition of his commitment to the defense and the promotion of Human Rights in India. The same year, the National Minorities Commission of India also honored him with the Minorities Rights Award.

Today, we in the City of Harvey have the honor of having Fr. Cedric Prakash in our midst. As Mayor of this wonderful city, it is my privilege to pay tribute to Fr. Prakash, and the cause of justice and interfaith harmony that he and his organization symbolize.

Fr. Prakash’s work shows us that in the midst of appalling cruelty and terrible crimes against humanity, there exists compassion, selflessness and an inspiring conviction in the brotherhood of humanity.  Fr. Prakash’s persistent struggle for justice is a reminder of the proverb, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Cedric Prakash S.J.

Sabarkantha 50 years - talk by Fr Kamji - first priest from Sabarkantha [ c/o BBN]

Sabarkatha Mission Golden Jubilee Celebration

Sabarkatha Mission Golden Jubilee Celebration

Fifty years of development of the Sabarkantha region is being celebrated this year.

The celebrations were in purely Indian and Tribal style.

Even the Bishops wear shawls for mass , not the catholic traditional vestments.

Those in other parts of the world may find this as an example of indigenization or inculturation in Liturgy different from their experience.

 Arch Bishop Stanny F and Bishop Pathalil.

Local women in traditional dress.

50 Local traditions drums played for the 50 years of Sabarkantha.

Women with traditional sprouts of wheat as offering.

Tradional Tilak on the forehead  for the Bishops

Relatives of Fr Dindayanad.

Fr Dindayanand sj Founder of the Mission Sabarkantha

A tree as a backdrop for the celebrations.

The tree represents different areas developed by Sabarkantha  Mission.

Let us worship - Kariye Aradhana - Gujarati song

Gujarati Shubhsandesh [NT] in Braille for the blind. [ c/o BBN]

GOOD NEWS TO THE BLIND બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર

  બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર   is going to be released at the Inaugural Mass of the Year of Faith on 12.10.2012 in Gandhinagar Archdiocese Cathedral by Rt. Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes, SJ.

Thanks for your collaboration.

 બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર 

GOOD NEWS TO THE BLIND

Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar

Introduction

The people of the world know that the Bible is the Holy Book of the Christians. At the same time, still people of various religions are not aware that the Bilble is not made up of one single book, instead it is the collection of various books. The Christians are fully aware and it is their firm Faith that the Bible is the Word of God written in words of different human persons. Further it is believed that the Word of God is the food, drink and support for their life-long journey.  The readers and the listeners find greater meaning by drawing water from the same Biblical well and drink such precious water (amrutvani) in order to quench their thirst.

The Bible is divided into two parts. First part is the Old Testament and the second part is the New Testament. The books which were written before the birth of Jesus are known as the Old Testament. Whereas the books which were written after the birth of Jesus are known as the New Testament.  After the Baptism, at the appropriate time, with the unique experience of his ABBA FATHER, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day at Nazareth and in the midst of all gathered there he proclaimed the purpose of his public Mission – “The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19).

According to me, from my experiential knowledge, I must say that every Blind person is ‘the divine eye of the Divine’ – ‘devna divyachakshu’. To such dear ones, the year 2012 is something special to them. Why? Because, the Catholic Pope Benedict XVI has declared a special year (from October 11, 2012 to 23 November, 2013) as the YEAR OF FAITH in order to know, love and follow Christ MORE in daily life. In this context, I, as the follower of Jesus, re-call the Mission Manifesto of the greatest Missionary Jesus – “... sent me to give sight to the blind”. This particular statement has churned my existence as an ordained evangelist and has motivated me to answer creatively in proclaiming His GOOD NEWS to all peoples, especially to the visually challenged persons of my karmabhoomi Gujarat. Thus, while accompanying various categories of the disabled persons in North Gujarat, already a year back I was moved to prepare the Gujarati New Testament in Braille transcription and to present to them as a precious gift at the beginning of the YEAR OF FAITH. Indeed the present prepared ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’  is a unique GOOD NEWS to all the visually impaired persons of our Growing Global Gujarati Group. Now let me explain in brief the genesis and rationale of this innovative project.

Problem statement

• A backward attitude towards life has led many persons in Gujarat to think of disability as a curse. ‘The blind neither have the physical vision nor they have vision for life’, such a negative attitude creates tension among the visual and the non-visual persons.
• The non-readiness approach to tackle the causes of disability, especially on visual impairment.
• Non-enthusiastic nature for life by many non-disabled persons leading them to be non-participatory in the mobilization and rehabilitation of the Persons with Disabilities.
• The blind may have the hunger and thirst for the Word of God of the Bible. But till this date they have no means to read directly the Catholic Bible. Till this date they are deprived of this unique facility in comparison with their normal counter parts.

Logical Intervention

According to the population census survey 2010, the population of Gujarat is 50,596,992. In which nearly there are an estimates 10,45,000 disabled persons of all categories in Gujarat.  This is based on the 1.98% of disability given by the National Sample Survey Organisation.  Of these, around 1.5 lakh people have visual impairment. Around 40% these are school age going children.  So we have about 60000 blind children using Braille in Gujarat.

In Gujarat, we have about 82 institutions who are directly involved in the education and rehabilitation of the blind persons. Besides these, the Inclusive Education for the Disabled Children at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) and the Education for All (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan – SSA) at the Primary stage cater directly to the educational needs of these visually impaired children.

Main Objectives

·       To be a leaven to provide the New Testament in Gujarati Braille transcription to the Blind.

·       To enable the visually impaired persons of Gujarati speaking to read independently without the help of the reader and to assimilate personally the New Testament in Gujarati Braille transcription and to motivate them to become the agents in ennobling the human community to love and serve God and His peoples.    

·       To give an opportunity to the visually impaired persons of all religions and cultures to taste and see, i.e. to experience the Word of God for a meaningful integration and inclusion in the human society.

·       To initiate the blind persons of Gujarat to have the ‘darshan’ (vision) of God in Jesus by reading the New Testament of Catholics.

·       To encourage such visually challenged persons to challenge the darkness of the world and to contribute creatively in removing such darkness from the grasped gospel messages of Jesus.

·       To encourage the Institutional heads and the Educational sector personnel to motivate the Blind persons to read and to grasp the messages for a meaningful life from the New Testament.

Sources of inspiration

·       Catholic New Testament in Tamil Braille transcription – 1^st time in an Indian language: When I learnt that the Second Reading of the Mass was read out by a visually challenged person in Chennai at the inaugural Eucharist celebration on 9, January, 2011 by the Conference of the Catholic Bishop’s of India’s Meet (Editorial, The New Leader, vol.124, No.: 3, February 1-15, 2011. It says: “…she read from Braille Tamil New Testament, newly published by the Tamil Nadu Bible Commission. This is the blessing to all the visually challenged people, now the blind can read the Word of God by themselves.)

·        Vanche Gujarat movement of Gujarat Government – Best Reader Competition for the Blind: The aim of the competition was to motivate the blind students to read inspirational short stories, novels, poems, biographies and books.

Conclusion

To me, in this context, offering this ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’ in the hands of the Blind persons of Gujarat is one of the novel ways of the New Evangelization process at the beginning hour of the YEAR OF FAITH. Indeed a greater opportunity is given to us to CELEBRATE this Faith-filled year as a Grace-filled year in the midst of all types and all categories of persons with Special needs.

We are grateful to Alboan and Misiones La Rioja, the NGOs of Spain for their generous financial support to prepare this ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’ in 12 volumes. We also appreciate the Staff of the Braille Press, National Association for the Blind (Gujarat Division), Vastrapur, Ahmedabad  for their computerized Braille transcription, proof reading, printing and binding.

Fr Girish Santiago SJ

Blessed are the Blind for theirs is the Kingdom to ‘see’ joyfully the newly transcribed book in Braille and to read it, assimilate it and to act as men and women of good will according to the living WORD of God! Let the WORD continue to BECOME FLESH and dwell amongst us in and through our well focussed compassionate approach of incarnation, insertion and involvement. Let our ‘domestic churches’ (homes), the ‘structural churches’ (places of adoration and worship) and the ‘institutional churches’ (cells & centres) become truly an ‘abode of inclusion’ – sammilitalayam! Timely and truly, our on-going faith-justice based apostolic commitment towards the needy has enabled and enhanced us to name aptly our centre at Unteshwari as sammilitalayam. May our Spirit-filled approach towards inclusion bring solace – shanti – salaam – shalom to all.   

Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ

 Director

Filmograph 2012 - Ahmedabad, India

Three films will be screened on 5,6,7 Oct 2012 5.30 pm onwards at Loyola hall Golden jubilee Hall. Each film will be followed by a dialog with some great film personalities. See details in the poster.

Xavier Film Academy at XICA

XFA [ Xavier Film Academy ] a Gurjarvani initiative of 2012
is aimed at preparing professionals in Film/TV/Video Production field. The training will be held in the XICA [ Xavier Institute for Computer Applications ] building top floor [ situated at St Xavier's College campus, Ahmedabad, India.]

Each training period is for three months.
The first batch of 12 students will start on 1st Nov.2012.

The student who completes the three months course will be able to join any professional set up for Film production today.
Devasia M

Gurjarvani - a New Look

 The roof of the Gurjarvani Studio was removed and concrete slab has been put on the top of the 1st floor. This will protect the building from leakage and from the hot Sun.
Now it looks very bright with the new white paint on the walls and ceiling. There is plan to put a Gujarati traditional decorated door as we see in the Poles of Ahmedabad. Once that is put the photo of the building will look different.

Social Justice and Ecology conference 2012

Marian Cogress, Nadiad - Francis Parmar [ c/o BBN]

A Tribute To Late Shri Dr. Arvind Macwan

A Tribute To Late Shri Dr. Arvind Macwan

Posted: 16 Sep 2012 01:56 AM PDT

16-Sep is his birthday. He was born on 16-Sep-1953 and passed away on 06-April-2003

Late Dr. Arvind Macwan

સ્વ. શ્રી ડૉ. અરવિંદ મેકવાનનો જન્મ તા 16-09-1953 ના રોજ સાવલી તાલુકાના ટુંડાવ ગામે થયો હતો. સેન્ટ ઝેવિયર્સ કોલેજ, અમદાવાદમાં અભ્યાસ બાદ એમ. એ ની પદવી વડોદરામાં આવેલ  એમ. એસ. યુનિ. માંથી મેળવી ત્યાજ વ્યાખ્યાતાની વરણી પામ્યા હતા. 2003માં તેમના અકાળ મૃત્યુથી પડેલ ઊંડી ખોટ સંસ્કારી સંગીતની અને શિક્ષણની દુનીયામાં હમેશા સાલતી રહેશે. 

તેમના જીવનકાળ દરમ્યાન તેઓ  યુવાનો માટે મોડલરૂપ બન્યા તો ઘણાને આર્થિક મદદ કરી પગભેર કર્યા. તેમણે ગુજરાતની ધર્મસભામાં અસંખ્ય ભજનો તથા સ્વર રચનાઓ આપી ઉત્તમ ફાળો આપ્યો છે.  ભજનો જેવા કે, "તવ કરુણાનું ગીત પ્રભુજી...", "પળે પળે કરીશ હું  તો પ્રભુજીના ગાન...", "હે મુજ, ઈશ્વર શીદ તરછોડી દીધો...", "મુજ હે બાળક સાંભળ વચન..."  અને ખાસ તો તેમના સ્વરમાં ગવાયેલ " ઓ દિલ ઈસુના પ્રેમાળ આશિષ આપજે તું આ વાર"  આ અમુલ્ય ભજનો હજી આજે પણ ખ્રિસ્તયજ્ઞમાં, સાંજની સમુહ પ્રાર્થનાઓમાં એમ પ્રસંગોપાત ગવાતા રહ્યા છે. આ ભજનો જયારે ગાતા-ગવાતા અને સાંભળવા મળે ત્યારે સ્વ. શ્રી ડૉ. અરવિંદ મેકવાનની યાદ તાજી થઇ જાય છે.  

આજે તેમના જન્મ દિવસ ટાણે આવો,તેમને શ્રધાંજલિ અર્પીએ
     c/o  BBN (Bhumel Broadcast News)

Sr Sudha Varghese - Vice Chair Person of minority commission- Bihar

Sr Sudha Varghese

Sr Sudha Varghese has been appointed as the Vice Chair Person of the minority commission of Bihar recently.
She has worked with the Musahar community in Bihar for many years and is still very active with the same community. She was awarded the Padmashree for her work.

Watch her interview taken earlier this year in Gurjarvani studio, at Ahmedabad.
click on link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E0NaN9vpl4&feature=share&list=UUY78JmC0bxRImlAl6AsY3Ew

gurjarvani: National Sahitya Academy Award - Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012

youtube.com/gurjarvani

go to the above link for poems by Yoseph Macwan read and explained by him.

National Sahitya Academy Award - Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012

National Sahitya Academy Award - Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012

 Can telling stories win you one of the greatest Awards in literature? Yes, this has been very true for our own Yoseph Macwan. Mr. Yoseph Macwan who is very well known among the literary world of Gujarat. He has translated the Psalms in Gujarati for "Sapmpurna Bible" (The Complete Bible). His translations of Psalms has won him accolades for its poetic expressions. 
The Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Literature, India) under the Chairmanship of its President, Sri Sunil Gangopadhyay selected Mr. Yoseph Macwan's book - Aav Haya, Varta Kahu.... (Gujarati) for its Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012. The Award presentation function shall be held in November 2012.
Haya is the granddaughter of Mr Yoseph Macwan. This book was written when Haya was very small and often asked her grandfather for stories. Gurjarvani congratulates Kavi Yoseph Macwan for this achievement.

Yoseph Macwan

Come Haya, Let me tell you a Story.

South Gujarat shoot by Gurjarvani

Dance by children at Paraspada.

From 27th Aug to 3rd Sept 2012 Gurjarvani team toured most of the south Gujarat centers run by the Catholic Church to collect footage on HD format for a short film on the Church in Gujarat Today.
It was joy to meet so many people in the Tribal area and watch their dances, record their songs.

Sachin, Atmaram and Hanumant

Jesuit Novice Masters from Indian provinces visit Gurjarvani

In the audio studio of Gurjarvani

The Novice Masters at Gurjarvani,Ahmedabad,India

The young people who want to dedicate themselves  for ever to serve the needy and poor people any where in the world in the Society of Jesus are given a two year intense spirituality training. And that is called " the Novitiate"[નવશિશ્યાલય ]
The Novice Master is the one who directs them. 14 such Novice Masters from all over India were at Ahmedabad for a meeting  to share their experience in guiding the young people.
Gurjarvani Parivar [ Gurjarvani Family] thanks them for their visit on 4th September 2012.

A video presentation in the Gurjarvani studio

R.I.P.
Fr . John D’Mello passed away this evening around 3.30p.m ( 20- 08- 2012 ) in Vasai. He died in the Hospital.
The funeral will be held at 5.00p.m in Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal. Virar on Tuesday (21-08-2012).
Please remember him in your prayers.
Fr.Vincent Macwan
Secretary
Personal Information: Name :
Date of Birth: 15- 10-1949 Ordained Priest: 26-11-1983 Died : 20-08-2012

Ramzaan