HOLY FAMILY CHURCH FEAST

GORVA - VADODARA

On the 9^th of January 2011, Holy Family Church, Gorva celebrated its Parish Feast.

The Celebration began with a Solemn Eucharist. Rev. Fr. Patrick S.J. was the main celebrant for the occasion. Rev. Frs. Melvin, Sunil, Paul and Lawrence concelebrated. The Eucharistic Celebration was well planned, creative and devotional.

The introduction was a combination of both reading and song.

The penitential service was acted out by the youngsters: Covered eyes were the symbol of sins committed through the eyes, Mouth covered was a symbol of sins committed through the speech, and heart symbolized hard heartedness. The compere called on the people of God to reflect and ask forgiveness of the Lord for the same.

Fr. Patrick gave a very inspiring homily relating the Family with the solar system. He said that just as the planets rotate around the sun, so do our lives rotate around God. Turing to Him is day and away from Him is night. He also said that all the plantes rotate in perfect order or there would be an accident. So is our life. Every family must carry out their functions responsibly and with great love, united with one another and carrying out the role assigned to each. He then spoke of the many evils that are destroying the family life today such as individualism, pleasure without responsibility, pre-marital and extra-marital affairs and sex, lack of time for the family, etc. He invited all the families to be like the Holy Family faithful, loving and seeking the good of the other. His sermon was very practical and inspiring.    

The offertory procession had various elements that helped the people to offer their family to the Lord to be blessed and accompanied by His presence.

The women offered triple aarti to the Lord after doxology. They danced while Rev. Fr. Melvin sang the aarti hymn.

The choir sang very melodiously under the able guidance of Ms. Hansa. 

At the end of the Eucharist Rev. Fr. Patrick incensed the statue of the Holy Family and garlanded it. The people then came forward to venerate and kiss the statue and offer their prayers and thanksgiving.

Fr. Melvin, The Parish Priest thanked all who had contributed to make the feast day a success both through their financial and physical help.

After the Eucharist Celebration games were ogranised by the Youth of the Parish. The first game was an Ice-breaker (Fire on the Mountain). The children had spoon and marble, The youth had passing the ring. The most interesting and exiting game was the wives had to dress their husbands with sarees and then had to do a cat walk. The senior citizens men and women had book balancing. The people enjoyed it all. It was like a family enjoying the company of each other in a competitive spirit. The winners were given prizes by Rev. Fr. Paul.

After the prize distribution Rev. Fr. Sunil thanked the youth and Fr. Lawrence for conducting the games. The people then joined to dance garba, while some went to enjoy the sumptous meal served on the occassion.

Fr. Melvin, Fr. Sunil and their parish team did a wonderful job. Everyone really enjoyed the day and did express their joy and appreciation.

Dear Friends the following report has been presented by Rev. Fr. Isaac Rumao S.J. of Navsarjan, Surat. We want to congratulate him and his dedicated team for the great work they are doing. Your good work inspires us. We pray that the Good Lord will continue blessing them with gracious presence.

Many of our institutions are doing good work we will be happy to have your report and photos so we can publish it on the blog for the good of all.

REPORT OF THE ANNUAL DAY OF BCCS,

NAVSARJAN SURAT

Today was an unforgetable experience for many of our Bhagyalaxmi Credit Co-operative Society's (BCCS) women... Over (700) Seven hundered women had gathered together at the Navsarjan Premises to celebrate the Annual Day of their Credit Cooperative!!! It was very homely celebration. Few women on their own chose to come forward & shared how they benefited by BCCS. The program was celebrated with great fervor. The Tuition and Tailoring Classes students, helped by their respective teachers put up few beautiful cultural programs to make the day memorable one for our BCCS members. One could easily notice the joy on the lit faces of the women present.

The program was graced by Fr Heredero - the manager of the St Xavier's Hostel, Sr Mary D Penha - the Provincial of Sisters of Sacred Heart, Fr Isaac - the Director of Navsarjan, Mrs Chandrabhagaben Ahire -President of Navsarjan Mahila Parishad & Mrs Madhuben - President of BCCS.

After welcoming the honorable guests the annual report of BCCS was read by Mrs Gitaben Gamit. In the report she highlighted the various achievements of BCCS - especially how BCCS over the period of last two years has helped a good number of women (approximately 400 women) through groups and individual loans. It was quite heartening and interesting to know that so far the total turn over of BCCS has been to the tune of Rs 38 lakhs!!! The total (Group + Individual) loan given in last two years amounts to Rs 36 Lakhs and out of which Rs 16 Lakhs has been already recovered and interest generated through this loan transaction is Rs 2.66 Lakhs!!! In her report she also outlined number of social and political changes effected in the lives of women on account of having come together and formed the credit cooperative!!! The entire economic activity is also building up gender conscience/equality among the people!!!

During the program few women beneficiaries came forward to share their personal experiences - especially how BCCS has been a boon for them and their families!! How loan from BCCS at low interest rate has helped them to free themselves and their families from the shackels/clutches and traps of unscruplous money lenders... Some of them had been paying monthly interest as high as between 10% to 15%  to the private money lenders on borrowed money!!!

They feel indebted to BCCS & it's interventions in their life!!! It has changed their life for better & has helped them to move towards a secure future... Saving for Change!!!! Many of them acknowledge the multiple effects of BCCS. It not only helps them to Save and increase their savings but also opens up better avenues to borrow higher amount and above all helps them own and administer their money!!! The interest paid on the loan does not leave their hands as it was happening earlier... BCCS from its earned profits distributed interest @ 10% to its member SHG's on their monthly savings!!!

During the program the Share Certificates were distributed to few BCCS' members. 

Today BCCS has total 48 SHG members. Over 850 women through these 48 SHG's are part of BCCS' Parivar. At the end the members vowed to double their number by next year.

Fr. Isaac Rumao S.J.

Navsarjan, Surat

Fr. Lawrence Rodrigues
Socom-baroda (Diocesan Commission for Social Communications - Baroda)