News Letter
DIOCESE OF SALEM
No. 484
For Private Circulation only
APRIL 2015
BISHOP’S CALENDAR – APRIL 2015
DATE
01
02
03
03
04
05
06
08
09
10
11
12
12
14
14
15
15-19
20
22
23
24
25
27-28
PROGRAMME
Wednesday of the Holy Week
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Last Supper
Good Friday – Meditation on the Passion
Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord‘s
Passion
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday - Mass
St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary
Meeting
TNBC Communication Secretaries
Meeting
Mass
Madha TV meeting
Jubilee Mass, Sacred Hear Primary School
Feast Mass
Final Profession, Carmel Ashram
Blessing of New Chapel at Sathyanagar
Blessing of New Chapel at
Chinnagaundanur
Mass
Pastoral Visit
Jubilee Mass, Jayarani School
Mass
Ordination to Priesthood, Salem diocese
Feast Mass
First Profession, Montfort Brothers
Meeting the Deacons of Madurai Province
PLACE
TIME
Arisipalayam
Suramangalam
Johnsonpet
05.30 p.m.
02.00 p.m.
06.00 p.m.
Namakkal
Namakkal
Salem
06.00 p.m.
Trichy
B. Pallipatti
Chennai
Rasipuram
Idappadi
Yercaud
Sangagiri
Sangagiri
05.30 p.m.
Arisipalayam
Alagapuram
Nethimedu
Mathiampatti
Cathedral
Dindigul
Yercaud
Madurai
09.15 a.m.
05.30 p.m.
05.30 a.m.
11.00 a.m.
07.30 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
05.30 p.m.
09.30 a.m.
05.30 p.m.
06.30 p.m.
10.00 a.m.
FROM BISHOP’S DESK – APRIL 2013
1. I wish all the Clergy, Religious and Laity of our Diocese a BLESSED EASTER! I wish
all a Happy and Fruitful Pascal Season. I exhort all the priests in the parishes to undertake
pastoral visit and Blessing of the families during the Pascal Season.
2. SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - SPECIAL COLLECTION for the PONTIFICAL
SOCIETY OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE, Rome, in support of the formation of
future priests in seminaries all over the world, is fixed for the Second Sunday of Easter.
In the year 2013 the Second Sunday of Easter falls on 12.04.2015. May I request all the
Parish Priests to inform the people of this collection and ask the people to contribute for the
formation of future priests for the Catholic Church. The collection taken on this day is to be
remitted to the diocesan Procurator immediately for onward transmission to Rome.
3. VOCATION SUNDAY is celebrated this year on 26th April 2015 with the theme:
“Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith". All are requested to celebrate this day
meaningfully using the material that will be sent to you to drive home to all people their duty
to promote vocation to priesthood and religious life. A SPECIAL COLLECTION will be
taken on this Sunday in all parishes and the proceeds of the collection is to be sent to the
Diocesan Procurator immediately for onward transmission to the TNBC Commission for
Vocation.
4. May I remind you to remit the GOOD FRIDAY - SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE
HOLY LANDS to the Diocesan Procurator for onward transmission to Rome.
5. May I remind all Parish Priests to remit the Hunger and Disease Sunday Collection to the
Director, Salem Social Service Society as early as possible and help him for forward the
specified collection to Caritas India, New Delhi.
6. VOCATION CAMP FOR SALEM DIOCESE will be conducted on 21- 22 April 2015 at
St. Xavier’s Minor Seminary, Salem. Please send to the Vocation Camp students who are
interested in becoming priests, those who have completed X, XI & XII Standards or any
Degree Course. Boarding and lodging will be provided free for those who attend the
Vocation Camp. It will be useful if you could inform Rev. Fr. I. Mariasusai, the Rector of the
Minor Seminary, possible number of those who may attend the camp from your parish.
7. Celebration of Confirmation may be arranged in the parishes during April & May 2015.
Even small group of children can be prepared for Confirmation, instead of waiting for several
years to have a bigger group. The parish priests are asked to book your dates early with the
Bishop or with the Vicar General.
8.
Annual Accounts of Salem Diocese Society are closed on 31.03.2015. All Parish Priests,
Heads of Diocesan Institutions and all those who are doing any Project through the Diocese
are requested to bring to the Diocesan Procurator the accounts with relevant bills and copies
of Bank Pass books in the first week of April for auditing. Please act quickly on this.
9. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is a very useful programme to bring the Word of
God close to our children. I exhort all parish priests to organize VBS during summer
holidays. For necessary material, syllabus and training of animators for VBS, please contact
Fr. Joseph Lazar..
10. To the kind attention of the Heads of Catholic Educational Institutions. Admission of
all the Catholic children in Catholic Schools is the policy of the CBCI and National CRI. It is
important all the Catholic Educational Institutions come forward to execute this policy. May I
remind all the Heads of Catholic Schools in Salem diocese to admit all the Catholic
children who seek admission in Catholic Schools, run by the Diocese or by Religious
Congregations, even relaxing some of the requirements fixed for other students in the
admission process. Priority should be given to Catholic Students in the selection of
groups of study and in hostel / boarding facilities if available. If any serious difficulty arises
to get the Catholic children admitted in Catholic schools, the matter may be referred to the
special committee, headed by our Vicar General, to look into these matters.
11. May I appeal to all Priests, Religious, Institutions, Government and other Employees
and to contribute for the SALEM DIOCESAN EDUCATION FUND for Poor Children.
The fund collected is managed by the Diocesan Education Fund Committee, which includes
members from the Clergy, Religious and Lay people. The details of the disbursement of
education help will be given every year in the diocesan Newsletter in July. Please send your
collections in cash or by cheque to Fr. Procurator, Bishop‘s house, P.O. Box 703, Court
Road, Maravaneri, Salem – 636007.
12. There will be NO Clergy Monthly Recollection in April and May 2015. The next Clergy
Monthly recollection will be on 01.06.2015.
13. We are almost in the middle of the Year of Consecrated Life. Let us make all efforts in
the parishes to bring home to our people the objectives of the Year of Consecrated Life with
various useful pastoral programmes.
14. The admission details for St. Paul’s Boarding, Salem, is given later in this newsletter.
Kindly see that all Catholic children, who want to be admitted into our boarding house, get
there in time. Non-Catholic boys may be recommended to the Hostel.
15. The admission details for St. Xavier’s Seminary Hostel, Salem, is given later in this
newsletter. Kindly see that all Catholic children, who want to be admitted there make it in
time. Non-Catholic boys may be recommended to the Hostel.
Bishop S. Singaroyan
SALEM DIOCESAN VOCATION CAMP
This year the vocation camp for Salem Diocese will be held in St. Francis Xavier Minor
Seminary, Salem, on 21st and 22nd of April 2015. It starts from 21st at 9:00 a.m. and it will
end on 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Kindly encourage and send good students from good Catholic
families who have completed 10th, 11th and 12th standards and those who have completed
college studies.
Fr. I. Mariasusai, Rector.
ADMISSION IN ST. XAVIER’S SEMINARY BOYS’ HOME, SALEM-9
Admission in the Little Flower Higher Secondary School and Little Flower Matriculation
School is easier if students are admitted in the seminary Boys‘ Home. More Catholic boys in
the seminary will help to maintain Christian atmosphere in the Seminary Boys‘ Home.
Admission for VI std. is encouraged both for Catholic and Hindu boys. Catholic boys will be
admitted in all the classes. Your cooperation is much appreciated. Kindly admit the boys
before 15th May 2015.
Fr. I. Mariasusai, Rector.
ADMISSION TO ST. PAUL’S H.S.SCHOOL & ST. THERESA’S HOME FOR BOYS
& CARDINAL KROL HOSTEL
Admissions to St. Theresa’s Home for Boys, Cardinal Krol Hostel and St. Paul’s Higher
Secondary School, Salem, will be done on 02nd and 3rd May 2015 Saturday, from 9.00
a.m. for Classes VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI in both English and Tamil medium. All students who
want to join the Boarding, Hostel or St. Paul‘s School have to come in person to the School
on 02.05.2015 Saturday and 03.05.2015 Sunday.
Rev. Fr. A. Sebastian, H.M., St. Paul‘s H.S.S.
ADMISSION TO ST. JOHN’S M.H.S.S. & HOSTEL, SALEM
Admissions to St. John’s Matriculation School and Hostel for Boys, Alagapuram,
Salem, will be held on 25.04.2015 from 9.30 a.m. for all Classes except X & XII. All
students who want to join the School and Hostel should come in person to the School on
26.04.2015.
Rev. Fr. M. Solomonraj
SACRED MUSIC TRAINING PROGRAMME - 2015
Days
Venue
Subjects: 1) Keyboard
Violin
: 1st to 20th May 2015 (20 days)
: St. Joseph’s Matriculation School,
Mulagumoodu, Kanyakumari Dt.
ii) Vocal Music
iii) Tabla
iv) Guitar
v)
Fee Details
Rs 2000/-, Boarding & Lodging: Rs 3000/Contact (for more details)
Fr. Jeyaseelan, Programme Coordinator, Phone: 9443118725.
Registration: Rs 200/-, Tuition:
NEWS FROM DIOCESAN COMMISSIONS
CATECHETICAL COMMISSION
Steel Plant Parish Catechism Annual Day 2015: Steel Plant Parish Sunday catechism
students celebrated the Catechism Day on 1st of March 2015. Fr. Director presided over the
Eucharist. The whole liturgy was taken care of by the catechism students. In the evening, the
catechism students performed different cultural programmes. We thank the Parish priest and
catechism teachers who took keen interest in celebrating this beautiful day.
Special Catechism Exam for III to IX and XI students at Diocesan Level: On 8th of
March 2015 (Sunday) Special Diocesan Catechism Examination was held for the students
who scored first and second marks in the School catechism Examination at Vicariate centers.
595 students wrote the Special Catechism Examination.
Sunday Catechism Students Visit: Sangagiri Parish: On 15th of March the parish Sunday
catechism students celebrated their Annual Day. They animated the whole liturgy. After the
Mass special seminar was conducted for the students about altar service.
Sadayampalayam Parish: On 22nd Bro. Mariasusai visited all the students and encouraged
them to live holy life like St. Dominic, St. Mariagoretti and Tharsius. He also explained about
the importance of the Holy Mass and Altar Service.
ANBIAM COMMISSION
Anbiam Holy Mass in the Parishes: During the Lenten Season, in many parishes the Holy
Mass was celebrated in the Anbiams. This is also a kind of evangelization because in this
Holy Mass even other religion people also participated in it. We congratulate all the Anbiam
leaders who took keen interest in arranging this Anbiam Mass.
Way of the Cross by Anbiams in the Parishes: During this Lenten season, Anbiams
conduced the way of the cross in several parishes. It shows that the laity participation is
increasing through Basic Christian communities. We also thank all the parish priests who
encouraging the Anbiam to conduct the way of the cross.
Paramathi Parish : On 16th of March 2015, Annai Theresa Anbiam conducted the Way of
the Corss at Srilankan Refuge Camp. Many Non Chrisitans participated in it.
Anbiam Coordinators Meetings: On 22nd March we conducted Anbiam coordinators
meeting at Sadayampalayam Parish. Bro. Charlie presided over the meeting. He encouraged
the Anbiam leaders to be very active and vibrant. He spoke about the main role of the
Anbiam in the Parishes. Director insisted all the leaders to concentrate on the weak Anbiam.
Retreat to the laity: On March 21st 2015, we the laity commission gave the faith formation
to the laity through retreat at Sangagiri Parish. Many were participated and benefited out it.
We thank the Parish priest for arranging this retreat.
FAMILY COMMISSION
We conducted marriage preparation course in the month of March 14 and 15. 76 youth boys
and girls were participated in the Marriage preparation course. Fr. Amal Mahimai celebrated
the Holy Mass for them and gave the certificate to them.
Marriage Preparation Courses in Diocese of Salem
MONTH OF APRIL 2015
Place
Day
Time
Reg Fee
: Marthal Illam, Epiphany Centre, Salem –9
: 11th (Saturday) and 12th (Sunday) of April 2015.
: From 08.30 a.m. to 05.30 p.m.
: 200 (Registration, study material and Lunch for two days)
MONTH OF MAY 2015
Place
Day
Time
Reg Fee
Date
1-5
: Sadayampalayam Parish
: 16th (Saturday) and 17th (Sunday) of March 2015.
: From 08.30 a.m. to 05.30 p.m.
: 200 (Registration, study material and Lunch for two days)
Forthcoming Programme in the Month of April 2015
(BCC, Catechism and Laity Commission)
Programme
Place
Holy week
Salem Camp
11-12
26
Marriage Preparation Course
Anbiam General Body Meeting
Epiphany Centre
Chennai Pastoral Centre
Fr. Peter Raj, Secretary - BCC, Family, Laity and Catechism.
EPIPHANY PASTORAL CENTER
Lenten Special Prayer Meeting: Lent is a time to harvest
God‘s grace by prayer and penance and keep reserve for the
renewal of our day to day life. Having realized this, we
organized Lenten Special Prayer service on 4th in Kakkavari and
on 25th in Gangavalli. And then the movie ―Jesus of Nazareth‖
was shown to them. Everyone was profited by it.
Way of the Cross: Way of the cross is the way of life for every
Christian. To imprint this message in the hearts of people the Father Director with the team
conducted way of the Cross in the following places where the people re-lived the way of
Calvary.
6th- Johnsonpet,
13th – Nagalur, Yercaud
th
20 – Attur,
27th –Arulampadi
Retreat: In order to be with the Lord alone One day retreat was organized in these places:
On 7th in Chatrakudi, Ramnad. More than 1200 people participated in
it.
On 11th we were happy to have more than 100 students from Idhaya
Engineering College in our Epiphany Centre.
On 16th more than 500 people took part in Johnsonpet.
On 22nd in Viruthachalam more than 1500 faithful flocked in the
church to receive God‘s blessings.
All those who attended the retreat experienced God‘s presence and love. They went back
with renewed life, relaxed mind and energized.
Dear Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters, kindly note:
We have allotted 2 days especially for you to exhibit your
congregation‘s charism and ministry which will commence on 2nd
and 3rd of May 2015 in Epiphany Centre for children and youth.
It is also a wonderful chance to promote vocation. So make use of
this opportunity.
Sound and Light Programme: We performed a sound and light
program (Ulaga Meetpar Yesu) in Saveriyarpalayam, Boomnur
Around 1500 people watched and gained by it. Our heartfelt thanks
to Rev Fr Michael Raj Selvam who gave us a wonderful chance to
spread the Gospel.
Special Programme for Madha TV: A Special Dindigul I. Leoni
Pattimandram for the Easter Feast was held at our Epiphany Pastoral
Centre Salem, to be telecasted in in Madha T.V. on Easter Day. More than 2500 people
enjoyed the show. Our Sincere thanks to Our Bishop, Madha TV Team and all the Parish
Priests.
Your kind attention please dear Parish Priests….
We are going to have the VBS inaugural function on 2nd May 2015 at Epiphany Centre. You
are requested to send your VBS children here by 10 a.m.
On 3rd April we have arranged a full day programme for youth. So kindly encourage your
youth to participate in it.
We have arranged a training programme for VBS Catechism teachers in Epiphany
Centre on 19th April. Kindly send the teachers without fail.
We are glad to announce that there will be a CHARISMATIC CONVENTION held in
the month of May.
Venue: Epiphany Pastoral Centre, Date: 1, 2 & 3 May 2015.
Come & experience the Risen Lord.
Fr. Gopi Emmanuel, Director, Epiphany Pastoral Centre.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN EPIPHANY CENTRE
S.NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DATE
1.4.2015
3.4.2015
6 - 12.4.2015
11.4.2015
11.4.2015
13 - 18.4.2015
16.4.2015
19.4.2015
25.4.2015
26.4.2015
26.4.2015
EVENT
Sound & Light
Mass
Sound & Light
Marivalam
Full Night Vigil
Sound & light
Meeting
VBS Training
CSC Meeting
Blood Donation Camp For Religious
Fasting Prayer
PRISON MINISTRY
We conducted a Seminar on Humanism to the Women Prison
police personnel on 24.02.2015. Rev. Fr. Beschi of Kottar
Diocese was the resource person. The S.P. of Salem Central
Prison inaugurated the session. The police personnel
participants appreciated this event very much and thanked PMI
for the same.
PMI volunteers helped one inmate of the Central Prison for his
release. He thanked the PMI very much for the same.
PLACE
Koneripatty
Sadayampalayam
Idapady
Epiphany Centre
Epiphany Centre
B.Pallipatty
Dharmapuri
Epiphany Centre
Epiphany Centre
Epiphany Centre
Epiphany Centre
Women‘s Day was celebrated meaningfully on 07.03.2015 at Salem Central Prison with the
collaboration of the SMMI Sisters. The SMMI Aspirants performed several meaningful
cultural programmes to the mark the Women‘s Day. Competitions were conducted for the
inmates and staff and prize were given by the S.P. We thank the PMI volunteers and the
sponsors of the prizes.
Sr. Joyce SJC, Coordinator
SALEM SOCIAL SERVICE SOCEITY
New Thrust: The CBO meetings were held in 5 unions. Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, Coordinators
took part in these meetings. Rev.Fr. Arockiasamy led the meetings and fixed dates for
women‘s day celebration on 21st march at Thammampatty and 31st march at Attur. All the
CBO members agreed to celebrate the women‘s day.
Salem Social Service Society celebrated the Women‘s day with the title of “Stop Violence
against Women and Children” in Thammampatty on 21.03.2015. The celebration started
with rally in the presence of Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, chief guests, Sub-Inspector, Medical
Officer and Staffs of SSSS. During the programme Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy welcomed all the
chief guests and women from different SHGs. The invited chief guests are Sr. Eframe, Cluny
Convent, Nattamangalam, Mrs. Rajathi, Jananayaga Madhar Sangam, Salem, Mrs.
Valarmathi, Medical Officer, Thammampatty, Mr. Jamal Mohamed, Health Inspector,
Thammampatty, Mrs. Vimala, Salem Women Federation Leader. The chief guests spoke on
different topics like Violence against Women, Health and Sanitation, Principles of SHG,
Child Marriage and Child Infanticide. The programme successfully came to an end with vote
of thanks, which was given by Mrs. Dorathy Ruban, Project Coordinator.
The CBO members from Omalur came towards to social action. The CBO furnished Rs. 2500
to Mrs. Lakshmi as pregnant assistance.
Our staffs were taken efforts for economical support to SHG members. Staffs create linkages
with ICICI bank and assist for the following SHGs.
S.
Name of
Amount
Name of the SHGs
No
the Block
Availed
Thalaivasal Pudhunilavu Self Help Group
3,00,000
1
Vivekanandar Self Help Group
2,24,000
Bhavani Self Help Group
3,50,000
Gangavalli
Durgai Self Help Group
5,00,000
2
Star Self Help Group
5,00,000
Murugan Self Help Group
5,00,000
Attur
Thalamboo Self Help Group
3,00,000
3
Mottum Malarum Self Help Group
2,85,000
Srivijayaram Self Help Group
3,60,000
Nethaji Self Help Group
3,80,000
36,99,000
Total
Kolping India: Rev Fr. Arockiasamy, Director of SSSS and Mrs. Dorathy Ruban, Project
Coordinator monitored IGP activities in Koneripatti, R.C. Reddiyur and Attur. The IGP units
(Jute Bag production unit, Power loom unit and departmental store) are going well as we
planned.
DBA: This month SSSS conducted 3 awareness programmes to the 35 DBA students, St.
John Britto Matric Higher Secondary School. The covered topics are: Migration and its
effects and Child Labour in India, Tuberculosis (TB) awareness programme. During the
programmes 35 students are motivated to present their
thoughts and values in front of others to develop their
presenting skills. The students actively participated and
presented their topics.
 Staffs of SSSS dispense the 1200 Swine Flu
awareness notices to the students of St. John Britto
Matric Hr.Sec.School to generate awareness on
swine flu. The DBA students took part in the
distributions of the notices.
CHAI - Axshya Project: SSSS has conducted five TB awareness programme in the selected
villages of Salem District. The villages are: Mullaivadi, Sivathapuram, Echampatti,
Koodamalai, Attur. 216 participants participated and gained knowledge on TB. A door to
door awareness campaign was conducted by staffs of SSSS at Veerabandi. It covered 134
houses. 6 suspects are identified as sputum positive among the transported sputum and the
suspects are followed by SSSS staffs for the DOTS treatment.
BCI: During the reporting period 3 sustainable agriculture training programmes have been
conducted and 94 youth gained knowledge on organic farming and manure production such
as bio compost and vermin compost.
Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy, Director, S.S.S.S.
NEWS FROM VICARIATES
ATTUR VICARIATE
Attur: A Special Lenten Charismatic Convention was arranged in Attur Parish for four days
and Mr.Philip and Mrs.Immaculate from Nagercoil preached powerfully the word of God to
the people and invited them for a renewal of their lives. On 5th March, Thursday a prayer
meeting was arranged in Chinnapanagar (a sub-station) and people of that locality benefited a
lot. From 6th to 8th March Charismatic Convention was conducted in the Parish Church and
parishioners took part in those events with interest and benefited. On 8th March Sunday the
Lenten Preaching was arranged for all the parishes of Attur Vicariate. The people and the
priests participated in it and received the consoling and also challenging message of the Lord.
The priests helped the people by hearing their confessions and by offering directions for the
betterment of their spiritual life. At the end there was a Anbin-Virunthu for all the
participants. Sincere thanks to all the priests of Attur Vicariate who collaborated for this
venture.
On 22rd March the enactment of the Passion of the Lord took place in Attur Parish.
The parishioners involved actively and presented the passion, death and the resurrection of
the Lord with devotion. All those who saw were really touched by the ever forgiving love of
Jesus and went home with a resolution to live for Jesus.
Fr. Arul Francis Xavier, P.P.
METTUR VICARIATE
Salem Camp: Lenten Pilgrimage to Masilapalayam was held on 22 March. 200 people took
part in this Lenten exercise which ended with Way of the Cross, Holy Hour and Eucharistic
celebration.
Savariyarpalayam: On 15 March, a Sound & Light programme was arranged in Kosakaradu
which depicted Jesus as universal saviour. 1500 people witnessed this visual treat and
appreciated the efforts of Epiphany Centre for its meticulous display.
There were one day Lenten retreats in Savariyarpalayam and Boomanur preached by
Frs.Stanly and Vimal respectively. Spiritual renewal was the focus of the day.
Mettur Dam: On 7th March, our parishioners participated in the vicariate pilgrimage to
Boomanur in large number. Fr.Solomon conducted the way of the cross which started from
Karungaradu and ended in Boomanur with special mass. A large congregation from different
parishes took part in these events.
Popular Mission Retreat was held from March 15 to 20. This retreat was a time of grace for
our parishioners. Almost all took part enthusiastically and revived their spiritual living.
Special way of the cross, mass and cultural programme were arranged in three different zones
consisting of four anbiyams to enkindle the spirit of lent. Anbiyam in-charges led all the
planning and execution.
Blood donation camp was held with the help of our parish teachers to feel one with suffering
Jesus. Awareness about blood donation was given to our parishioners through pamphlets.
POPE'S MESSAGE FOR 51ST WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Theme: Vocations, Witness to the Truth
11 May 2014 - Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. The Gospel says that ―Jesus went about all the cities and villages... When he saw the
crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‗The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers
are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest‘‖
(Mt 9:35-38). These words surprise us, because we all know that it is necessary first to plow,
sow and cultivate to then, in due time, reap an abundant harvest. Jesus says instead that ―the
harvest is plentiful‖. But who did the work to bring about these results? There is only one
answer: God. Clearly the field of which Jesus is speaking is humanity, us. And the efficacious
action which has borne ―much fruit‖ is the grace of God, that is, communion with Him
(cf. Jn 15:5). The prayer which Jesus asks of the Church therefore concerns the need to
increase the number of those who serve his Kingdom. Saint Paul, who was one of ―God‘s
fellow workers‖, tirelessly dedicated himself to the cause of the Gospel and the Church. The
Apostle, with the awareness of one who has personally experienced how mysterious God‘s
saving will is, and how the initiative of grace is the origin of every vocation, reminds the
Christians of Corinth: ―You are God‘s field‖ (1 Cor 3:9). That is why wonder first arises in
our hearts over the plentiful harvest which God alone can bestow; then gratitude for a love
that always goes before us; and lastly, adoration for the work that he has accomplished,
which requires our free consent in acting with him and for him.
2. Many times we have prayed with the words of the Psalmist: ―It is he who made us, and we
are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture‖ (Ps 100:3); or: ―The Lord has chosen
Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession‖ (Ps 135:4). And yet we are God‘s
―possession‖ not in the sense of a possession that renders us slaves, but rather of a strong
bond that unites us to God and one another, in accord with a covenant that is eternal, ―for his
steadfast love endures for ever‖ (Ps 136). In the account of the calling of the prophet
Jeremiah, for example, God reminds us that he continually watches over each one of us in
order that his word may be accomplished in us. The image is of an almond branch which is
the first tree to flower, thus announcing life‘s rebirth in the springtime (cf Jer 1:11-12).
Everything comes from him and is his gift: the world, life, death, the present, the future, but
— the Apostle assures us — ―you are Christ‘s; and Christ is God‘s‖ (1 Cor 3:23). Hence the
way of belonging to God is explained: it comes about through a unique and personal
relationship with Jesus, which Baptism confers on us from the beginning of our rebirth to
new life. It is Christ, therefore, who continually summons us by his word to place our trust in
him, loving him ―with all the heart, with all the understanding, and with all the strength‖
(Mk 12:33). Therefore every vocation, even within the variety of paths, always requires an
exodus from oneself in order to centre one‘s life on Christ and on his Gospel. Both in married
life and in the forms of religious consecration, as well as in priestly life, we must surmount
the ways of thinking and acting that do not conform to the will of God. It is an ―exodus that
leads us on a journey of adoration of the Lord and of service to him in our brothers and
sisters‖ (Address to the International Union of Superiors General, 8 May 2013). Therefore,
we are all called to adore Christ in our hearts (1 Pet 3:15) in order to allow ourselves to be
touched by the impulse of grace contained in the seed of the word, which must grow in us
and be transformed into concrete service to our neighbour. We need not be afraid: God
follows the work of his hands with passion and skill in every phase of life. He never
abandons us! He has the fulfillment of his plan for us at heart, and yet he wishes to achieve it
with our consent and cooperation.
3. Today too, Jesus lives and walks along the paths of ordinary life in order to draw near to
everyone, beginning with the least, and to heal us of our infirmities and illnesses. I turn now
to those who are well disposed to listen to the voice of Christ that rings out in the Church and
to understand what their own vocation is. I invite you to listen to and follow Jesus, and to
allow yourselves to be transformed interiorly by his words, which ―are spirit and life‖
(Jn 6:62). Mary, the Mother of Jesus and ours, also says to us: ―Do whatever he tells you‖
(Jn 2:5). It will help you to participate in a communal journey that is able to release the best
energies in you and around you. A vocation is a fruit that ripens in a well cultivated field of
mutual love that becomes mutual service, in the context of an authentic ecclesial life. No
vocation is born of itself or lives for itself. A vocation flows from the heart of God and
blossoms in the good soil of faithful people, in the experience of fraternal love. Did not Jesus
say: ―By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another‖
(Jn 13:35)?
4. Dear brothers and sisters, this ―high standard of ordinary Christian living‖ (cf John Paul II,
Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31) means sometimes going against the tide and
also encountering obstacles, outside ourselves and within ourselves. Jesus himself warns us:
the good seed of God‘s word is often snatched away by the Evil one, blocked by tribulation,
and choked by worldly cares and temptation (cf Mt 13:19-22). All of these difficulties could
discourage us, making us fall back on seemingly more comfortable paths. However, the true
joy of those who are called consists in believing and experiencing that he, the Lord, is
faithful, and that with him we can walk, be disciples and witnesses of God‘s love, open our
hearts to great ideals, to great things. ―We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for small
things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals!‖
(Homily at Holy Mass and the Conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, 28 April 2013). I
ask you bishops, priests, religious, Christian communities and families to orient vocational
pastoral planning in this direction, by accompanying young people on pathways of holiness
which, because they are personal, ―call for a genuine ‗training in holiness‘ capable of being
adapted to every person‘s need. This training must integrate the resources offered to everyone
with both the traditional forms of individual and group assistance, as well as the more recent
forms of support offered in associations and movements recognized by the Church‖ (Novo
Millennio Ineunte, 31).
Let us dispose our hearts therefore to being ―good soil‖, by listening, receiving and living out
the word, and thus bearing fruit. The more we unite ourselves to Jesus through prayer, Sacred
Scripture, the Eucharist, the Sacraments celebrated and lived in the Church and in fraternity,
the more there will grow in us the joy of cooperating with God in the service of the Kingdom
of mercy and truth, of justice and peace. And the harvest will be plentiful, proportionate to
the grace we have meekly welcomed into our lives. With this wish, and asking you to pray
for me, I cordially impart to you all my Apostolic Blessing.
From the Vatican, 15 January 2014
FRANCIS
POPE’ MESSAGE
ARE YOU GUILTY OF ANY OF 15 AILMENTS OF THOSE IN ADMINISTRTION
POINTED OUT BY POPE FRANCIS?
Pope Francis on Monday 22nd December 2014 called everyone to examine himself and
indicated a list of 15 “ailments” that he said plague everyone involved in administrative
setup or bureaucracy. He read out 15 sins that he believed the People in Administration
could be guilty of. These included:
1. Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. 'An Administration organization that doesn't
criticize itself, that doesn't update itself, that doesn't seek to improve itself is a sick body.'
2. Working too hard. 'Rest for those who have done their work is necessary, good and should
be taken seriously.'
3. Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. 'It's dangerous to lose that human sensibility
that lets you cry with those who are crying, and celebrate those who are joyful.'
4. Planning too much. 'Preparing things well is necessary, but don't fall into the temptation of
trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous
than any human plan.'
5. Working without coordination, like an orchestra that produces noise. 'When the foot tells
the hand, 'I don't need you' or the hand tells the head 'I'm in charge.''
6. Having 'spiritual Alzheimer's.' 'We see it in the people who have forgotten their encounter
with the Lord ... in those who depend completely on their here and now, on their
passions, whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves and become
enslaved to the idols that they have built with their own hands.'
7. Being rivals or boastful. 'When one's appearance, the color of one's vestments or honorific
titles become the primary objective of life.'
8. Suffering from 'existential schizophrenia.' 'It's the sickness of those who live a double
life, fruit of hypocrisy that is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that
academic degrees cannot fill. It's a sickness that often affects those who, abandoning pastoral
service, limit themselves to bureaucratic work, losing contact with reality and concrete
people.'
9. Committing the 'terrorism of gossip.' 'It's the sickness of cowardly people who, not
having the courage to speak directly, talk behind people's backs.'
10. Glorifying one's bosses. 'It's the sickness of those who court their superiors, hoping for their
benevolence. They are victims of careerism and opportunism; they honor people who aren't
God.'
11. Being indifferent to others. 'When, out of jealousy or cunning, one finds joy in seeing
another fall rather than helping him up and encouraging him.'
12. Having a 'funereal face.' 'In reality, theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often
symptoms of fear and insecurity. The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy
and transmit joy wherever he goes.'
13. Wanting more. 'When the apostle tries to fill an existential emptiness in his heart by
accumulating material goods, not because he needs them but because he'll feel more
secure.'
14. Forming 'closed circles' that seek to be stronger than the whole. 'This sickness always
starts with good intentions but as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a
cancer that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much bad — scandals —
especially to our younger brothers.'
15. Seeking worldly profit and showing off. 'It's the sickness of those who insatiably try to
multiply their powers and to do so are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting
others, even in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as being more
capable than others.
The next Clergy Monthly Recollection will be on 01.06.2015.