BISHOPS MESSAGE FOR JUNE - 2010

We have begun the month of June dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion is a centre of all devotions. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an age old devotion, became very popular through the revelations to St Margaret Mary. It was very popular in our Diocese in the former times. Since new devotions have emerged, this devotion appears to be side tracked. The devotion of the Sacred Heart is nothing but the devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The devotion to the Eucharist is more and more intensified in our Diocese. There are many adoration Chapels, where day and night adorations are conducted. In Fatima Retreat House, the Chapel is kept open through the day and night and many devotees come voluntarily to spend few hours, interceding before the Lord. Due to their prayers and sacrifices, many blessings come down upon us. There are other places where adoration to the Blessed Sacrament is held.

* I strongly recommend the Parish Priests to hold at least one hour of adoration once a week. Let us not get discouraged that the flow of people is weak. It will pick up. It all depends on the enthusiasm and interest we priests and religious take. This will be emulated by the faithful.

* On the 11 June the feast of the Most Sacred heart of Jesus will be celebrated. That day is celebrated to the sanctification of priests. Let us spend that day with lot of fervor and devotion. Let us invite our people to attend Mass and pray for the sanctification of priests.

* On 19 June the Year of the Priests will be concluded. Any programme on that day to take place will be communicated to you. That day being Saturday, it will be difficult for the priests to come over to Mangalore for a common celebration. I request the parish priests to exhort the faithful to attend the Mass and offer prayers for the priests in ministry and retired all over the world.

* On 21 June I will be celebrating my feast and birthday. I request you to pray for me. I shall remember all of you and pray for you. I will be celebrating the Mass at St Anthony’s Poor Homes, Jeppu at 6.30 a.m.

*  I am happy to inform you that the following Brothers will be ordained as Deacons for the Diocese of Mangalore on 10 June at 3.00 p.m. in St Joseph’s Seminary.
1. Bro Wilson D’Souza - Nakre Parish
2. Bro John George Crasta - Bela Parish
3. Bro Sunil Pinto - Uppinangady Parish
4. Bro Vishal Monis - Arwa Parish
5. Bro Clifford Pinto - Niddodi Parish
Most Rev. Dr Verghese Chakkalakal, Bishop of Kannur will ordain them. Let us pray for these Brothers.

* I am happy to announce to you the appointment of the new Rector to St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. Very Rev. Fr Joseph Martis, Dean of Philosophy is appointed by the Congragation of the Evangelization of the peoples. He will take charge on 3 June 2010. We wish him the best and pray for him to carry on the responsible Office of the Rector.

*  17 boys have made an application to join the Gladsom Home. I thank all the Reverend Parish Priests who promoted these Vocations for our Diocese. The boys who have done professional or graduate studies and who express their desire to join the Seminary could be directed to me.

* The schools have already started. I know lots of efforts you have made to encourage these students to pursue their studies. Our desire is that every child should get the education up to PUC or its equivalent.

*  The dawn of 22 May gave us sad and shocking news of tragedy of Plane crash at Bajpe Airport which took away 158 lives. Hearing the news the Vicar General and the PRO and some priests rushed to the spot. Due to heavy traffic of police, ambulences and emergency services they could not reach the spot. From the neighbourhood many people irrespective of different religions assisted the rescue operations. We are terribly grieved at this terrible accident. We console the members of the bereaved families and pray for them. We pray for the eternal rest to the souls who became the victims of Air crash. Let us pray to God for His mercy. It is only God our Father can save us from all pains and dangers. We also pray that the Govt. and the people of God will join hand to the assistance and solace to the families in great sorrow.

* LAY FAITHFUL SUNDAY 2010
The lay faithful Sunday will be celebrated On 27-06-2010
in Manglore Diocese.
Theme: “The Cost of Discipleship”
Following the readings of the day may we request you to kindly refer in your liturgy / Homily, the Call and Mission of Lay Faithful of your parish. St Thomas More is the patron saint of lay faithful and his feast is celebrated on 22 June.

* The school year started with the beginning of this month. So also the Catechism year for children. The Director of Mangala Jyothi has already got ready the syllabus both for Sunday and school Catechism textbooks, teachers’ guides and also organized seminars for those who teach Catechism in schools and parishes. I do appreciate the efforts put in by the Director and his team to render full service to the catechetical apostolate in our Diocese. Now it is up to the Parish Priests and Assistants in the parishes to implement all that is planned for school Catechism and Sunday Catechism. The burden of teaching Catechism is of the parents, priests and teachers. Let us work out by our personal contact with the children and parents to get the support to make the catechism very effective. The Director has written to the Parish Priest to send the coordinator and Sunday teachers for training. He did not get a positive response. This being a most important apostolate in the Diocese, I request all the Parish Priests and the Assistants to cooperate with the Director towards the training.

I am happy that our Parish Priests are making a lot of efforts to improve and to make the liturgy meaningful. But it is to be noted in some Parishes, liturgical singing is to be improved. The Psalm after the first Reading is liturgical and only a Psalm to be sung and no other songs/hymns. On the whole, our Diocese has made good progress in catechetics, liturgy and Bible. I strongly recommend that the Parish Priests and the Assistants start Bible classes in the Parish. The guides to teachers are already prepared and are available at DBCL Office.

+ Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza
Bishop of Mangalore.