HARBOUR LINE

Website: www.rosarychurch.com Tel: 2371 7035

ROSARY CHURCH, MAZAGAON April 2006

THROUGH LENT TO EASTER:

THE LIFE JOURNEY OF THE CHRISTIAN

The logic of the Gospel is a logic that defies the intellect. It is a logic that goes beyond philosophy. It is a logic that is better understood not with the mind but with the heart, not with reason but with faith. Faith is never against reason but above reason. When God asks us to believe, He is not asking us to be unreasonable, but to go beyond reason. Faith is stepping out of oneself and surrendering to God. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

It is also the safest for there are no hands more strong or secure than His! The logic of the Gospel is a divine logic where we are expected to journey without knowing the destination, to go without knowing where we are going. that is the challenge of being a Christian, of following Jesus, of being His disciple. It means taking an uncharted route, going the unwalked way, treading the unknown path, having but one inner conviction as guide: that the Master has walked that way before and that it is He who beckons us to walk in His steps. There are so many self-appointed god-men and self-styled gurus, particularly today, peddling their own brand of so called spiritual wares, so many voices in the world pleading for a listening ear, that if we are not discerning with the wisdom that comes from the Spirit, we can easily mistake the wood for the trees!

"Come and see," said Jesus to the first disciples as reported by John (1:39). The order of those words is important. Jesus does not say "See and come". The "seeing" comes only after one has gone. The going is both a risk and an adventure! Going means a departure from where one is. It implies leaving the present and launching into the future. It calls for abandoning the known and accepting the unknown. It demands risking security for insecurity. Is not the absence of risk a sure sign of mediocrity? But the going is worth the risk as responding to the call is more than amply rewarded. That was the experience of those first disciples. They went and they saw. Were they also conquered? It was 4 p.m. The hour is significant. They liked being with Jesus for, as the Gospel adds, they spent the rest of that day with Him. When one is enamoured with a person the hours seem far too short. That is why lovers lose count of time. Oriental hospitality, which dotes on the visitor, forbade guests from being sent away in the evening! Some Scripture scholars therefore suggest that these first disciples also spent the night with Him!

It must have been an exciting and enthralling experience! "Come and see." That is the call and the challenge with which Jesus confronts each of us today. To be a Christian is much more than keeping the commandments, going to Church or being involved in the parish community. It is a personal response to a personal invitation. It is a generous reply to a gratuitous offer. A faith that is not profoundly personalised slowly peters out into pietism.

Responding profoundly and personally to Jesus means stepping out of our comfort zone and walking the way of Jesus. The way of Jesus is the way of the Cross. It is a narrow way. It is a difficult way. But it is a sure way and few take to it. Could this be the reason why Jesus has very few real disciples?

Throughout the season of Lent, which is a season of grace, we have been contemplating Jesus walk that way. We have meditated how, according to tradition, He struggled and staggered falling three times along the way to Golgotha. It was not easy then; neither is it easy now. In spirit and prayer we have journeyed with Him. The Way of the Cross is not merely a devotional spiritual exercise, it is a Way of Life. Indeed, it is the Christian way of life. The way of the Cross has but one destination: Calvary. And Calvary means denudation, derision and death. The grain of wheat must die if it is to bear fruit. If it does not die, it remains but a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. This is the paradoxical logic of the Gospel. In this, which is the logic of Jesus, life comes only in, through and after death; victory comes after apparent defeat and gain only after loss. "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" is a popular Lenten Hymn. Were we there with the rabid rabble at Calvary on that first Good Friday would we have recognised the One nailed on a Cross between two thieves? Would we have taken Him to be innocent or a malefactor? Would we have distinguished between the divine and the human in those three figures hanging on their Crosses? Would we have sifted the grain from the chaff? Just one landscape depicts all three. Indeed, Jesus is counted among criminals! He who came to save is numbered among the damned. Is not this a picture of our lives too when grace and sin are juxtaposed, holiness and pettiness lie side by side and faithful belonging and fickle betrayal get lumped together? Is not this scene descriptive also of the Church which is holy and yet, as a community, is made of both saints and sinners? Is not this the reality that stares us in the face, that while we need to present the Church as a bride without spot or wrinkle, yet it has far too many stains to be cleansed and too many creases that still need ironing out? As Christians, we are called to enter into the death of Jesus, even more to carry in our own bodies His dying state. We are called to die to sin and selfishness. In the measure we enter His death and die to sin, we live to grace and to God. The whole Christian life is therefore a sharing in the death-resurrection mystery of Jesus. We die to live; we are buried to rise with Jesus. Easter comes only after Good Friday and between the two there is an uneasy waiting, a discomforting lull, that unnerves us. But the waiting and the lull are necessary to give time for the seed that has been buried to sprout and spring forth. We are indeed sinners. That is a truth that we can never honestly deny. Doing so would make God out to be a liar. But we are redeemed sinners for Jesus died for us. He shed His precious Blood for our sake. He paid the price for buying us back from the slavery of sin. By His death He has broken the bonds of sin and shattered the shackles of evil that enslaved us. That is the mystery we celebrate at Easter, the greatest feast in the Church’s calendar for if Jesus had not risen we would be back in our sins, the most miserable of sinners. We are therefore an Easter People and the Alleluia is our song!

- Monsignor Alex Rebello

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Deaths

• 30th December 05' Alma Tresa Leao, grand aunt of Jude Saldhana of 85 Lions Den Matharpacady.

• 31st December 05' Anthony D'Souza, husband of late Marie D'Souza of 25 Matharpacady.

• 13th January 06' Rita Cardoso, widow of John Cardoso of 32, Matharpacady.

• 26th January 06' Benny Leitao, son of Jackie Leitao of 31, Amparo house, Matharpacady.

• 11th February 06' John Borges, Husband of Dolcie Borges of Nat Villa, 4 - Matharpacady.

• 16th February 06' Christo Gracias, Husband of Flora Gracias of 1003, Mazagaon Towers, Mazagaon.

Marriages

• 17th December 05' - Elvis Fernandes and Alice Raju of Rosary Chawl, Kasar gully, Mazagaon.

• 28th December 05'- Brazilio Fialho and Noellene Marian Lobo of 23/A Matharpacady

• 1st January 06' - Shane E D'Penha and Suzette P. Remedios of Remedios Building, Nawab Tank Road,  Mazagaon.

• 14th February 06'- John Tan and Blossom B. Fernandes of 9 Rear Helal Building, Dr. Mascarenhas Road, Mazagaon.

Baptisms

• Dwayne Osborne to Kenriak & Ingrid Dias of Classic View, Dhaisar on 22nd January.

• Calvin Maximus to Sandeep & Pearl Kumar of New Sai Niketan, 'A' Wing, Mazagaon on 5th February.

• Jaden Felix to Wilson & Christina Valladares of 199/a Tank Square, Mazagaon on 5th February.

• Angeline to Alton & Melanie D'Silva of Helal Building, Mazagaon on 19th March.

• Rhea to Richard & Ledia Barretto of Rosary Building, Mazagaon on 19th March.

ZONAL EVENTS

St. Anthony's Community (Zone 1) organised a Way of the Cross on 15th March, 2006, whose unique

feature was that the Stations were assigned at the homes of the elderly and the home-bound who in their own bodies continue to the passion and death of Jesus. - Fatima

Holy Cross Community (Zone 2/3) Sunday, 19th March '06 the members of the

HCC met at the main cross and walked with Jesus through His stations with His cross. Each station was recited at the different clubs, crosses and homes of the sick, aged and bedridden. Our theme was on 'SIN'. We ended with a prayer of commitment "To be a true witness of Christ of loving, serving and reaching out" with the final blessing by Fr. Vijay. - Russell

Ashirwad Community (Zone 5) had its annual celebration on 11th February, 2006. After mass in Church, they adjourned to the School Hall where they had games and dancing. Prizes were awarded to the winners and also to children who participated in the drawing competition held earlier. - Candida

Marian Community (Zone 6) celebrated its annual Get-Together also on 11th February, 2006, in the Undercroft of Rosary School. Over a 100 attended and enjoyed the games organised for the event.

Our Lady of Lourdes Community (Zone 9) celebrated its Annual Day on 11th February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with Mass at St. Isabel's High School during which Fr. Vijay preached on how we should deal with and treat one another. Games and substantial snacks followed. It was an evening to remember for both the young and old. - Areta

PARISH NEWS

Santa at Vimla Vikas Kendra

325 street children gathered in the undercroft of Rosary High School on 23rd December for their Christmas celebration. The joy and excitement of the tiny tots, particularly, was a delight to behold especially when Santa appeared! The enactment of the Christmas Story was the highlight of the celebration. A sincere thanks to all who helped in sharing with them the joy of Christmas. - Sr. Olive SCN

Star and Crib Competition

In the Star Competition held on 27th December, on a zonal basis, Zones 9 and 6 won the 1st and 2nd prizes respectively. From the seven families that participated in the Crib Competition, Derrick Valladares and Theresa Oliver were the winners.

Sunday School Christmas Party

About 100 children gathered on 28th December, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, for their Christmas Party. They began the celebration with Holy Mass at the end of which was the special Blessing for children by the celebrant and Sunday School Director, Fr.Vijay Drego. Snacks and games followed together with Carol Singing. Every child received a gift and a slab of chocolate, making them carry home sweet memories of the event. - Dino

Mission Trip to Mahad

Fr.Vijay led a group of 37 Sunday School Children accompanied by two teachers and a PPC Member to Mahad on 20th and 21st January. Our children by interacting with the Katkaris learnt much. Meeting with the villagers was truly an enriching experience, which our "young missionaries" shared with others at the Deanery Faith Celebration Sunday.

Lectors' Training Programme

A training programme for Church Readers was conducted in our Parish Church on Sunday, 29th January,2006, for which 15 regular Church Readers and 11 enthusiastic freshers registered. The three hour session conducted by Msgr. Alex Rebello included an explanation of the Liturgy and the place the Word of God occupies in worship; concrete tips for effective reading and the use of the microphone, together with actual practice of proclaiming the Word. Each participant was presented with a file containing the course material. A follow-up session for trainee-lectors was held on Sunday, 19th February. The training programmes underscore the importance of the Word of God in the liturgy and the truth that reading in Church far from being a status symbol is rather a service rendered to the community at worship. - Dino

BCS Football Tourney

Kudos to our Parish Football Team which, despite trailing 0-3 at the breather against Our Lady of Salvation, rallied to score two goals in the second half in the finals held at Cross Maidan on Sunday, 12th February of the Inter-Parish Tournament organised by the Bombay Catholic Sabha. Our Parish Team well deserved to receive a cash award as well as a medal and certificate. - Alain

Mass for the Sick and the Elderly

The Bombay Catholic Sabha Unit of our Parish arranged a special mass with anointing for about 65 Sick and Elderly on Sunday, 12th February, 2006. The mass was celebrated by Msgr. Alex Rebello who in his homily stated that "old age is not wastage and that sunset years were precious in that the elderly and the sick had entered the most active phase of their lives. They have time to pray for others. Their intercession is powerful because it is seasoned with suffering." After mass they assembled for light snacks, a short sing-song session and games and were each presented with a gift. "Car Christophers" brought the sick to Church and reached them home after the event. - Avito

The Sacrament of Confirmation

26 young adults from our parish and from St. Joseph's, Umerkhadi, were confirmed on Saturday, 25th February, 2006, by Bishop Bosco Penha. In a well-planned and participated Liturgy, addressing a packed Church Bishop Bosco inter alia reminded the candidates that the sacraments do not work like magic. They demand serious commitment. The candidates were to engage in daily personal prayer and service to the community. He entrusted the candidates to the clergy, the catechists, their parents and god-parents and the animators of their respective SCC Zones for on going spiritual after-care. The confirmed were well prepared to receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit by a two-day recollection and the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation.

Sunday School Picnic

A bus load of sixty Sunday School Children had an enjoyable picnic on Sunday 26th February, 2006, at  waterworld, Gorai. Fr. Vijay who organised the outing was ably assisted by the Sunday School Staff.

Joint Zonewise Parish Visitation

Our "four Fathers" jointly visited the entire parish together combing each zone systematically every Wednesday and Friday evening, blessing and praying with every family. The visits, though brief, helped both people and priests to know one another better and to strengthen the bonds of family and parish life in this year dedicated to the Eucharist and the Family.

Quest For Excellence In Leadership

A training programme for Parish Council members, Associations heads and Animators was held on 8th March in Rosary Parish. We were 36 participants from St. Anne's, St. Joseph's and Rosary parish. The theme was "My Time Has Not Yet Come (John 2:4) - Discovering Excellence in Pastoral Leadership. The session was based on the miracle of Jesus of turning water into wine. When we are rooted in Jesus we can learn and do a lot in leadership. We need to fill ourselves with the living waters through Personal  prayer, Word of God, discernment and the Eucharist which are sources of spiritual wisdom to sustain and nurture our leadership and quest for excellence. We ended with the final blessing by Fr. Vijay Drego.- Mariza

Altar Servers Picnic

The Altar servers together with Fr. Roque and Fr. Akhilesh went for their annual picnic to Gorai on Saturday 11th March. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

R.A.Y. Football Tournament

An Inter-zonal football Tournament was organised by the "Rosarian Active Youth" group on the 11th & 12th of March. The event witnessed a lot of skill, team - work and sporting spirit put forth by all the teams. Zone 1 emerged the winners followed by Zone 9.

Newman Choir Lenten Recollection

It was indeed inspirational singing by the Newman Choir in our Church on 12th March, 2006, the Second Sunday in Lent, after the evening mass. The hymns sung were prayer in song dwelling on the suffering and death of Jesus and were interspersed by a meditation by Msgr. Alex Rebello on The Mystery of Suffering. Indeed it was truly an uplifting experience!

Random Reflections

· God can create melodious music even from a ruined reed. Give Him your brokenness.

· Know that you cannot know or do everything; rest content with your limitations and liabilities.

· If you must err, err on the side of charity.

· Pray to God as you are and your prayer will be real.

· Suffering, like the sun, can either soften or harden you.

· Nature has its seasons; so does your heart. You cannot have spring always.

· View all your mistakes as learning experiences; and your repeated mistakes as lessons that you have yet to learn.

· Tune your soul like the strings of a harp: not too taut, let it snaps; not too flaccid either, lest it sounds flat.

· The worst can help draw the best out of you.

· Sit on many flowers but make your own honey.

From Dewdrops at Dawn by Msgr. Alex Rebello printed and published by The Bombay St. Paul Society, Bandra.

Published by:

Fr. Roque Almeida I Msgr. Alex Rebello I Vanburn Ferreira I Russell Ferrao.

Printed at: Sharvari Creation, Mazagaon, Tel.: 23758352

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, MAZAGAON

HOLY WEEK PROGRAM 2006

9TH APRIL - PALM SUNDAY

7.00 a.m. Mass in Konkanni in the Church.

8.00 a.m. Blessing of Palms in the School Undercroft and Procession to and Mass in the Church.

9.30 a.m. Mass in English in the Church.

4.00 p.m. Way of the Cross through the Parish ending at St. Isabel's High School where mass will be celebrated. There will be no evening mass in the Church.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the Holy Week, Confessions will be heard in the Church from 6.00 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. and from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

13TH APRIL, MAUNDY THURSDAY

5.00 p.m. Mass for the Sick and the Elderly in Konkanni.

7.00 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper followed by Silent Prayer at the Altar of Repose.

9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. - Adoration in Konkanni.

11.00 p.m. to Midnight - Adoration in English.

14TH APRIL, GOOD FRIDAY

7.30 a.m. Way of the Cross in Konkanni.

8.30 a.m. Way of the Cross in English.

10.00 a.m. Three Hours' Agony Service

 to 1.00 p.m.

6.00 p.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion.

15TH APRIL, HOLY SATURDAY

7.30 a.m. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.

10.00 p.m. Easter Vigil Service.

16TH APRIL, EASTER SUNDAY

7.00 a.m. Mass in Konkanni.

8.00 a.m. Mass in English.

9.30 a.m. Mass in English.

No Evening Mass.

COMMUNITY MASSES

Monday, 17th April - Zone 1 in the area at 7.30 p.m.

Tuesday, 18th April - Zone 4 in Church at 7.00 p.m. Zone 7 at Tambawalla Bldg. at 7.30 p.m.

Wednesday, 19th April - Zone 5 in Church at 7.00 p.m.

Thursday, 20th April - Zone 6 in Church at 7.00 p.m. Zone 9 at St. Isabel's at 7.30 p.m.

Monday, 1st May - Zone 8 at the Cross at 7.30 p.m.

Wednesday, 3rd May - Zones 2 & 3 at the Cross at 7.30 p.m.

[Zonal Animators will please prepare the Liturgy with the Celebrant concerned]