Cir Aug 09

Mission

Cir/8/09 1^st August 2009

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Dear Fathers, Brothers & Sisters,

Greetings from Nagpur!

This year is dedicated to PRIESTS. On the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 19^th June 2009, a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy, Pope Benedict XVI, declares the opening of the year of the Priest in celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the “dies natalis” of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. This Year, meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world. Let us also rededicate our Priests to the dedication and service of the Lord and his people and continue to pray for them.

Pope Benedict XVI, on 7^th July 2009, comes with a new Encyclical called “Caritas in Veritate” on Integral Development in Charity in Truth. This encyclical was originally intended to appear two years ago, in commemoration of the 40^th anniversary of Paul VI’s 1967 social encyclical “Populorum Progressio.” Several intervening difficulties, including deficient early drafts of the document and the world economic crisis, came together to significantly delay the release of the text. Still, Benedict does succeed in highlighting some important contributions of Paul’s encyclical, which is notoriously hard to read and understand. But still I encourage all to go through it and update oneself with the development of church in the area of Social Teachings of the Church.

Yesu Mahotsav will be held from 14^th October to 18^th October 2009 at St. Pius X Seminary Campus Goregaon, Mumbai. Seven delegates from our Archdiocese will be attending this national event. Please pray for the success of this event.

‘Nagpur Archdiocesan Charismatic Renewal’ for the spiritual deepening of the Word of God, is organizing a four day Diocesan Charismatic Retreat from 29^th October to 1^st of November 2009 at SFS School ground. I expect all to participate in good number in the retreat and rejuvenate oneself with the Word of God. More information about will be given to you later.

Carmel Academy at Waroda village, Kalmeshwar, of CMI Service Society was blessed on 6^th July 2009. After the blessing public gathering was organized. Aksar ahyas was special attraction of the day. Guests helped the children to write the first alphabet for the first time and the teachers blessed them, which was a small imitation of our Gurukul system of education in India.

With the motto of “COMMITMENT TO EDUCATE LIFE LONG LEARNERS” Marie Poussepin’s Academy of the Dominica Sisters of the Presentation blessed and inaugurated a school on 27^th June 2009.

Jeevodaya College of Special Education (MR) was solemnly inaugurated on 20^th July 2009 at about 11.00 a.m. Hon’ble Minister Shri Anees Ahmed and district collector Mr. Pravin Darade were present to grace the occasion.

The Sisters, Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy will start a full –fledged new English Medium School at Mauda Bhandara Raod. It will be inaugurated on 10^th August.

Sr. Anjana FCC (Nai Basti) is appointed gender Coordinator (Women’s Dept) of the Archdiocese. She will work in collaboration with NMSSS

We wish these Sisters all success in their undertakings, and pray for God’s abundant blessings upon them

From 13^th to 26^th August I will be away in Europe (Germany, England an Rome) for some official engagements and meetings with some well wishers. Fr. Louis Bhosle will be accompanying me this time. Please pray for the success of our trip.

SOME OF MY PROGRAMMES FOR AUGUST

1^st 10 AM. Meeting of the Secretaries of trusts/Societies

1.00 P.M. Function in S F S College Honouring meritorious Students

2^nd Morning Mass in St. Francis Xavier’s Church Sitabuldi

4.00 PM Meeting of the Committee for Charismatic Renewal

3^rd Clergy Meeting, Symposium on Priesthood, celebration of Vianney day

4^th & 5^thAt Agra for the meeting the Bishops of Hindi Speaking Regions

7^th At St. Dominic’s Priory

8^th Bhopal for Meeting of Catholic Council of M.P.

9^th Morning Mass at Pallotti Engineering College

10^th Inauguration of the New School by Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at Mauda

11^thMass at FCC Sisters Convent in Naya Basti (Feast of St. Clare)

12^th 5 PM Ankur Kunj Seminary day, Kamptee

13^th-26^th In Europe for Meetings and visiting some Agencies

28^th-29^th Various Society Meetings

30^th Morning Mass at Wadi parish

Requesting your prayers for me, and assuring mine,

Yours fraternally,

+Abraham Viruthakulangara

Archbishop of Nagpur