MARRIAGE AND METAMORPHOSIS

Here are some recent pictures of the wedding of Janice and Nigel which I was fortunate to attend. Interestingly the symbol of the butterfly was chosen to highlight the need for a metamorphosis in marriage. Here is part of the "offertory prayer" explaining this symbolism:

"God our loving Father among the many wonders of your creation is the butterfly. The butterfly stands for pleasant change because of its metamorphosis from a less attractive, crawling caterpillar to a beautiful, soaring butterfly. It symbolizes the ending of one life for Nigel and Janice and the beginning of another. Nigel and Janice are essentially morphing in the same way that a butterfly does. Their single lives are over even as they remain individuals and together they are starting a new life. The butterfly also expresses the beauty of the eternal love and commitment that Nigel and Janice have pledged to each other."

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST WEEK...

The time just flies by...

Just the month of November seen us enjoy fantastic music from the Rexband on All Saints Day...a massive crowd of about 15,000 were on hand for the show. It took place at Calvary - Shillong with the beautifully lit Cathedral in the foreground...On All Soul's Day we made our way to the cemetery for a very meaningful eucharist once more attended by a large crowd of people. This year the crowd was not as large - primarily because it coincided with a big football match pitting the local heroes "Lajong Sports Club" and "Salgaocar Goa"...To me the beautiful decoration of the graves was a very moving sight...And then the faith that brings so many to pray for loved ones who have passed on to the Lord...

We attended a big "Green Festival" on Friday (7 November) at which most of the schools from the city came together to speak for the environment and take pledges to preserve it. From the various presentations one could note a new awareness of the urgency to redress consumerism and work for ecological balance.