R.I.P Fr.Dias Chelston(Charlie) -(GUJ) 68/50, passed away on 27 Jan 2015 at 10.45p.m

We are sorry to inform you about the passing away of Fr. Chelston(Charlie Dias)at 10.45p.m on 27 January 2015 at Gomtipur, Nursing Home in Ahmedabad. The funeral will be held on 29 January 2015 in  Ahmedabad.

The funeral of Fr.Charlie Dias will be held on ( Thursday) 29 January 2015 at 3.00p.m in Loyola Hall, Ahmedabad.

The timing and the venue of the funeral on 29 January 2015 have not yet been decided. We will communicate to you as soon as we can.- Socius.

 Fr.Charlie Dias was admitted in the Sterling Hospital in the second week of November 2014 for the treatment of cancer in his right arm. The doctors were trying their level best to save his right arm. After a prolonged treatment at Sterling, on 16 January 2015 the doctors then in consultation with the superiors concerned decided to go for the amputation of the arm in order to save his life.

Fr.Charlie Dias accepted the decision of the doctors and  then he had sent his personal message to his near and dear ones:

“It is hard to believe i have finally after more than a month i have now been recommended to take the harsh step of consent of amputation of my Right hand, this is in consultation with the team of my Superiors, Socius and my family members having met with the Panel of doctors including Dr Somesh and Dr Mandeep to save my life. They did all the best to save my hand but at the end i lost the battle and had to surrender my right arm. 

Tomorrow 16th Jan 2015 morning 7.30 am my Right Arm will be amputated at Sterling Hospital.”

The right arm was amputated on 16 January 2015. For a week he was in the ICU and then he was transferred to a private room. He showed a lot of improvement. With the support of Bro.Pravin Falcao, he even tired to walk  in the room. Once again on 25 January, he had to be put in the ICU since his vital organs were not cooperating to the treatment that was given to him.

Finally his prolonged suffering came to an end on 27 January 2015  at 10.45 p.m and he departed for the eternal home. May his soul rest in peace!

Socius-Gujarat

Dias Chelston

Fr.Chelston was the ninth child in a family of twelve. He joined the Apostolic School at Loyola Hall and passed SSC from Loyola in 1964. Influenced by the Jesuit Community at Loyola, he joined the novitiate the same year and took his vows in 1966. As a student of St.Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, he presented the college in football, hockey and athletics. Though chosen to represent the Gujarat University in these various disciplines, he had to step out ‘in virtue of holy obedience’. In 1968, Fr.Charlie Dias was the fastest runner in Gujarat University standing first in the 100 m. race.

After an illustrious college performance, both in and off the field, he proceeded for the novitiate at Mt Abu and then for philosophy to Pune. After completing his regency and theology, he was ordained a priest in Bandra in 1979. After his B.Ed. Charlie had four assignment at Rosary, Baroda in 1984, landed at Loyola hall as Vice Principal, with additional charge of sports and scouts.

Charlie has a motto that reads: A true Xavierite is a better person for others. His great hobby is arranging leadership camps and ‘future leaders’ vie with each other to find a place on these camps. The leadership camps surely went beyond the ordinary and the mundane routine of the textbook learning and spewing what was learnt in examinations. These camps have been, a unique contribution of fr.Charlie to engage young people in understanding themselves, discovering their inner potential, sensitizing them to society’s challenges and egging them on to leadership. His faith formation camps for Catholics students have him personally involved and devoted every bit of his time and energy. As a Vocation promoter, he organized many camps and through these camps many have joined for priesthood and for religious life.

All through the years at St.Xavier’s Loyola Hall, Fr.Charlie has held many offices and important ones such as Principal of St.Xavier’s Loyola Hall Primary Section, Director of Leadership Training programmes, Director of Sports and games, Director of alter servers, Chairman of Cubs and scouts, Director of the Social service league and Minister of the Jesuit residence. Holding all these portfolios, Fr.Charlie’s main focus has been the children.  He instilled in his students the spirit of sportsmanship. ‘Play the game to enjoy it. Winning and losing don’t matter. Participation is the most important thing’.

Fr.Charlie’s generosity knows no bounds reaching out to the poor and the needy far and wide. He is very often addressed as Fr.Santaclaus.

 By Fr.Lancy D’Cruz

Responsibility Held In Society

Responsibility                                                                  Place of Responsibility_                    Year

Vice principal primary Loyola Hall                      Ahmedabad                               1984-1998

Minister of Jesuit Community Loyola                  Ahmedabad                              1996-2006

Principal primary section St.Xaviers Loyola Hall   Amedabad                               1998-2005

Primary in charge St. Xaviers                               Surat                                      2006-2007

Director of sports St.Xaviers Loyola Hall               Ahmedabad                            1990-2005

Director Leadership Program St.Xaviers Loyola Hall Ahmedabad                          1986-2006

Director Social Service St.Xaviers Loyola Hall         Ahmedabad                           1986-2006

Director of Sports St. Xaviers                                                 Surat                                                2006-2012

Asst PP & School Animator                                                   Ankleshwar                                      2013-2015

Advent 2014 2nd Sunday - James B Dabhi sj - Gujarati talk

500th video on Gurjarvani Youtube channel

Bardipada Tribal dance Festival - dance 6

Bardipada Adivasi Nrutya Mahotsav - Tribal dance festival Dance 1

Media Training for Priests, Brothers, Religious

Media Training for Priests, Brothers, Religious

On January 24^th, 2013 – the Feast of St. Francis de Sales (the Patron Saint of Journalists and Writers) – Vatican released Pope Benedict’s message for the 47^th World Communication Day. The theme of this year’s message is – “Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith; new spaces for evangelization.

The Pope challenges everyone to appreciate the potential of social media sites and urges believers, in this Year of Faith to consider how their presence on these networks can help spread the Gospel Message of God’s love and the values of human dignity to all people.

Keeping in mind the growing demands to keep oneself in communication with the others effectively, Jeevan Darshan and Gurjarvani has organized a 10-day workshop: Media Training.

This course is meant for those in formation or those who already work in parish, mission school or social centers. The course will equip the participants to use the media in its best way. We are aiming to impart scientific knowledge and professional skill in mass communication. The subjects are following: Basics of communication, Media education, Film Appreciation, Sound recording, Radio programmes, Digital photography, Videography, The World of Documentary Films, Use of internet, Making power-point programmes, Creating Personal Blog etc.

Details of the Media Training Workshop

Starts on 23^rd April (evening) - Ends on 4^th May (morning)

Course Fees: Rs. 5500/- only. (board & lodge inclusive)

Registration Fee: Rs. 500/-

Limited seats for better attention to each of the participants. Register your seat before 28^th February.

Register your name with:

Fr. Ashok Vaghela SJ                        Fr. Chandresh Christi

Gurjarvani                                       Jeevan Darshan

St. Xavier’s College Campus,             5 Camp   PB 2096

Ahmedabad – 380 009                      Vadodara – 390 002

Cell Phone: 9427312342                    Cell Phone:9978065275

Email id: gurjarvani@gmail.com         Email id: chandreshsj@gmail.com

ભજનસંધ્યા on 26th Jan 2013, Loyola all Ahmedabad

 ભજનસંધ્યા  
Some of the best singers of Ahmedabad diocese were invited to sing for an evening with devotional songs called Bhajan Sandhya ભજનસંધ્યા  on 26th Jan 2013 at Loyola Hall Auditorium. The programme was organised by Indian catholic Youth Association of Ahmedabad diocese whose diocesan co-ordinator is Fr Paresh Parmar.

The music orchestra was from Nadiad, conducted by Mr Ajay Vaghela
Highly talented young girls and boys sang old and new compositions of Gujarati songs accompanied by the professionally conducted orchestra.
Bishop Thomas also sang  - હે ભગવાન  તવ શાંતિનું ...[ prayer of St Francis Assisi ]   with great devotion

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

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.

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.

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