SR. CELINE RMI

CELEBRATES HER GOLDEN JUBILEE

Dear Friends,

Our dear Sr. Celine is celebrating her GOLDEN JUBILEE today… On this beautiful day I would like to thank God for one more wonderful day in our lives and for all the blessings he has showered up on all of us and also to Sr. Celine and to our  wonderful Congregation.

The Word of God says in Jeremiah 1:5 -  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; “.

It gives me an immense pleasure to thank God for the gift of life and gift of Vocation to Sr. Celine to our Congregation.

When I see Sister Celine ,I am reminded of the question asked by St.Thomas Aquinas’ sister to him – “ What do I need to become a Saint? “ .St.Thomas Aquinas replied in just 3 words – “JUST WILL IT“. It is the same willingness to serve the Lord with all her heart, with all her strength and all her mind  that has got Sister Celine where she is today and she has truly been a blessing for everyone she has interacted with so many people, fathers, brothers, young girls and children and also sisters in our congregation.

Sr. Celine was born in Moira, Goa on September 3^rd, 1926. She is the eldest in the family. She did her schooling in Goa. She had a strong desire to follow Christ and entered a convent. But her health was poor so she had to leave the convent. Later she met Sr. Cecilia D’silva RMI who encouraged her to give her services in Bombay at Regina Pacis. As she was helping the sisters Mother Corazon encouraged to join the convent. She was once again filled with the joy of following Christ with that she left India and went to Italy, Gensano along with three other companions. She entered the Postulancy on 23^rd February 1962, and Novitiate on 24^th September 1962.She made her 1^st vows in Gensano on 27^th of Sep. 1964 and final commitment to the Lord was in 27^th September 1969.

There is a saying – “ Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”

Sr.Celine’s love and care  for the poor have been a stepping stone and an example for each and every one of us. She devoted herself without counting the cost to the care of the young girls in Goa, Bombay, Delhi, and women and children in the villages of Jhagadia. She is very good in tailoring and kind to the patients in the dispensary. Her simplicity, motherly love, hard work, welcoming spirit is outstanding. She has a special love for  priests specially the young priests. She always goes out of her way to reach out to the priests by offering them a hot cup of soup. 

Sister Celine, You have been a gentle mother to so many souls…Simple, and graceful. I would like to end this with a verse from Matt  3:17  where God talks about Jesus– “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased “..I am sure God is looking at Sister Celine right now and saying the same thing- “ This is my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased.

Dear Sister Celine thanks for all your motherly love and presence in this community. May God Bless you with Good health, and happiness, peace and joy. May He shower upon you all the graces and blessings and let His face shine upon you always.

Sr. Ranipaul RMI

GOD'S LOVE LETTER

 REV. FR. SAVARI MUTHU ARASURE

   

BORN: 16-03-1947           ORDAINED: 16-05-1987           DEATH: 05-02-2012

Dear Beloved of the Father,

Our beloved Fr. Muthu, as he was loving called, suddenly left us for his heavenly reward on the 5th of February 2012 due to cardiac arrest. Having gone for a celebration with his priest friends to Meghraj Mission. At mid-night he felt breathless and his friends tried to soothe him but knowing its seriousness they rushed him to a nearby hospital but he breathed his last before reaching the hospital. Fr. Vincent Macwan on receiving the message passed it on immediately to all the fathers, sisters and various communities.

His last rites were performed at St. Francis Xavier Church, Zaroli. The Zaroli community (Frs. Kanti Vasava, Pascal Ninama and Mgr. Chhagan) went all out of their way to make the occasion solemn and meaningful. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Zaroli. The last rites were conducted by Most Rev. Bishop Godfrey de Rosario. Fr. Joel R. Pais (VG) gave a detailed history of the life and work of Fr. Muthu. Whereas Frs. Kanti and Jelastine paid final tribute to him. Fr. Pascal rendered a vote of thanks to all. Fathers, Sisters, Brothers and lay faithful from in and around the diocese paid their last tribute by their presence, prayers and flowers.     

He was a very jolly priest and lived life to the full. Learning of his unfortunate and untimely death we have no words to describe the utter grief that we feel. He will always be remembered for his simplicity, hard-work, dedication and joyfulness. He had heart for the poor and needy. By his charitable work he has made a deep impact on the life of people. It is true that he was taken from us too soon, and it does seem a little unfair that his life on earth ended with so much left to do. Yet trusting in God's providence and love we truly believe God knows best. 

We pray that the Good Lord bless him and grant him eternal rest. May all his efforts to bring people closer to God and to the love of His Son Jesus be blessed with the glory of heaven. May the loving Father accept him in the bosom of His glory.

May the good Lord who chose Fr. Muthu and shared with him His sacred priesthood, giving him power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Jesus down upon the altar; and to absolve the sins of all, forgive all his sins and reward his faithfulness admitting him into His holy Presence there to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Fr. Lawrence Louis Rodrigues

(For SOCOM Baroda)

   

  FR. JOEL R. PAIS (VICAR GENERAL - DIOCESE OF BARODA)

Woken up at around 2.30 a.m. on the early hours of Sunday 5th February I was informed that Fr. Muthu is no more. Just 10 days before I spoke to him on phone when he was in the hospital. When I asked him shall I come to see you. His immediate reply was "No. I am o.k. and is your new parochial house coming up well and how is your health?". 

Now Baroda Diocese has 5 people in heaven. Fr. Muthu is the third Diocesan Priest to leave us. It began with Bishop Ignatius S. D'souza on 19th Jan. 1986, Fr. Cyprian Mendonca 4th  March 2000, Fr. Arthur Menezes 23rd Feb. 2008, Bishop Francis Braganza 21st Dec. 2011 and now Fr. Muthu.  

Fr. Muthu was born on 16th March 1947. They were 4 children. He had 2 brothers and one sister. His parents were Mr.  Arokiam Arasure and Mrs. Arociammal Arasure.  He was born in Madurai in Tamil Nadu and joined the Jesuits of Gujarat as a Jesuit Brother. As a Brother first he worked at Mount Abu and then he proceeded to Ooty to do a course in carpentry. Once he was back he actively got involved in building Anand Church and Petlad Primary School. In Vyara he built three Chapels. He also worked at the construction of Jevan Darshan and Satya Nilayam, Chennai. He felt his call was to become a priest. Bishop Ignatius S. D'Souza took him for Baroda Diocese. He did his Philosophy and Theology at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur. He was ordained on 16th May 1987 in Tamil Nadu.

After his ordination he served at Umarpada (1987-1989) Vyara (1989-1994) Jhagadia (1994-1996) Gothada (1996-2006). In Gothada as a Priest in-charge he changed the Uttar Buniyadi High School to general stream. He brought properties for the Church. He successfully handled the workers problem. He was dreaming of starting a PTC college and a sub-station. From Gothada he went to Besthan (2006-2008).  While in Besthan he went to Mysore to do spirituality course. Jhagadia (2008-11) Zaroli-Umargam (2011-12). He died on 5th February 2012. 

He lived for 64 years, 10 months, 20 days and as a Priest for 24 years, 8 months, 19 days. He was eagerly waiting to celebrate his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee. His Burial on 8th February was attended by our Bishop Godfrey de Rosario, nearly 80 Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, his relatives and huge number of lay faithful was a clear sign that People loved him. 

Fr. Muthu was a man of God and Prayer. He loved his Breviary. He was a technical man - Carpenter, Welder and a Builder. He was a man of the institution. In spite of good and bad times he was faithful and obedient to his superiors whether it was the Bishop or Parish Priest.  

May Fr. Muthu enjoy the eternal bliss. We will miss his ever smiling face. Good bye Fr. Muthu till we meet again.

FR. JOEL R. PAIS

(VG - DIOCESE OF BARODA).

Anna Suraksha Adhikar Jumbhesh - JESA, Gujarat

RTF Regional Convention

VENUE: NAVSARJAN, SURAT

DATE: 9th FEB 2012

TIME: 12PM TO 4.30PM

 

 

Ignited and inspired by the success and awakening experience of the RTF's State level convention held at B.S.C. Ahemdabad on November 2011 by JESA, 

Gujarat. RTF volunteers, the Pressure group members (Daban Juth) belonging to different slums of Surat, along with entire Navsarjan Staff organized a regional level convention at Navsarjan, Surat on 9th of February 2012.

The main objectives of this Convention were:

• To spread awareness on RTF work amongst the larger slum people.
• To share RTF program related success stories with larger audience and create positive vibrations amongst the people.
• To create a platform where RTF Schemes related government officials and the beneficiaries could easily interact with each other.
• To let government officials know the growing awareness, strength, unity and solidarity amongst the beneficiaries about asserting their rights.
• To bridge the gap between the government officials and the beneficiaries – that government officials are public servants and not lords…
• To instill confidence and hope amongst the Pressure group (Daban Juth) members.
• To deepen Unity and Solidarity amongst the slum people.
• To enhance the positive attitude – "together we can…"

It was quite surprising to see the overwhelming participation of Slum people in the RTF Convention held today at Navsarjan!!! Initially, during the planning meeting of RTF core committee we had decided to limit the participation to 350 people only... as the word went round to the slums the Pressure group leaders started demanding that more people should be allowed to take part... Considering the various impacts it would create on the psyche and attitude of the larger crowd we decided to give in to their demands....

Apart from the officials and other special invitees over 800 people from different slums of Surat and four other centers i.e. Paraspada (27), Shakti (10), Rajpipla SSS (7) & BSC (1) took part in the Convention... 

Indeed it was heartening to see most of the RTF Staff members and other beneficiaries sharing their experiences with such gusto and confidence!!! Although, many of them as novices stood before such a large gathering for the first time in their life to share their experience, they looked as if they were veterans!!! They articulated so very eloquently and with clarity & precision!!!! .... Their sharing was enthralling… people were spellbound… It was very enriching and empowering experience for one and all… It made me feel very proud of JESA training team and the training imparted to volunteers and pressure groups by the TOT's so far... This ensures the readiness, preparedness and willingness of the people (beneficiaries / target group) to take this RTF Movement forward....

All the invited government officials - such as Public Distribution System (PDS) officer, Integrated Child Dev. Scheme - Anganwadis (ICDS) program officer, Probation Officer of Samaj Suraksha Department dealing with schemes for intellectually & physically challenged people, Deputy Mamlatdars handling Old age and Widow pension & Mid day meal schemes made themselves present at the venue and had very interesting tête-à-tête with the participants. Each one of them was allotted half and hour to share information & take questions from the people. Their presence was very much appreciated by the people.

It was indeed a very successful event... a very good work, hard work done by the RTF staff... The participants and their participation was quite amazing… they not only remained seated silently from 12pm to 4.00pm but took very very active part during the question hour session allotted for each official!!!

It was quite interesting to see few fair price shop owners, Primary school principals, Anganwadi teachers come for the program but seeing the large crowd moved away quietly.

Enthused with this positive vibes & experience the group dispersed vowing to take forward this movement of theirs in their respective areas…

With affection

Fr Isaac sj