BIDDING FAREWELL TO ANGEL VIOLA BAPTISTA

HOMILY AT THE MASS CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF BABY ANGEL VIOLA BAPTISTA TO GOD...

My dear friends

We have come not to bury or mourn Angel but to rejoice at her resurrection - at her going back to the Father from whom she came to spend some time among us....We chose very short readings - not just because Angel is very tiny but also because we want to leave out the dross and remind ourselves that God wants us to be saved - to be with Him....eternally....Jesus brought us that message clearly in the Gospel.

For our reflection today let us go back to etymology....What does the name of our baby Angel mean? God will perhaps lead us through this reflection....

Interestingly the Hebrew and Greek words for angel - 'malakh' and 'angelos' do not signify a name as much as a function. Angel referred to a mission, a message that had to be delivered....

What was the message that Angel came to give us? Many messages to diverse people....

To the doctors and the nursing staff she was a bundle of joy - they enjoyed playing with her....of course she reserved her best smiles and cries for her mum....how she wished she could spend more time in her arms but her infection did not permit that...God had his message and he would deliver it in his way and in his time...Of course another message she reminds us is that medicine is not omnipotent - try as much as we could we had to admit that we were helpless in the face of her infection....He is in control - We do what we can - Then we surrender - He knows best....

To her parents she taught so much - she brought out an inner strength to love in the face of pain, to care despite ones tears, to hope against hope and to go to any lengths to care for someone who is weak....Dear Nancy and Dickie - God could not have chosen better parents than the two of you for Angel - believe me he must have said to himself: I have got this precious person and I need to make sure that for her 26 days she has the best carers - God chose you....I know that God chose well.....

To her family she brought hope and joy tinged of course with pain and worry....they longed to see her well - they prayed and hoped that she would soon be among them, that they would be able to hug and kiss her, to play with her.....they wept when the crises in her health came...I say crises because in her 26 days Angel went through several crises and each time she came through...

To many others she came with the message that prayer is always wonderful - prayer is asking, hoping and then accepting what God has in store....some of us ask "Hey God don't you care that we prayed - why did you let us down?" And Angel came with the message that "God knows best - let Him control things - they will work out well and for our good! See how much I am now enjoying peace and serenity after all my pain and suffering!"

Each of us will now have to mull over the message Angel brought us - take it to heart - live it out and then say "Thanks Angel" "Thank you God our Loving Father"

I want to end with what Jaden her doting brother - who always wanted to play with her and see her - told his aunt yesterday after they made a visit to "pray to the Infant Jesus" in Nashik Road....He said: "God says Angel will be proper!" Of course we interpreted it as meaning that she would get well - but we know in faith that Angel is now "proper" without tubes, without trasfusions, without medicine, without respirator and glucose monitors, without heart and pulse controls, without an antiseptic environment - where she can now be hugged and kissed as so many of her family longed to do....God is doing it today and will do it for eternity....and all of us will be able to do it when we reach Heaven....

Till then we reflect on the message that God has for us and that he sent us through Angel...Peace...

(Baby Angel Viola Baptista, daughter of Nancy and Dickie Baptista, sister of Jaden Baptista was born 15 May 2008. Born premature with serious health complications she never left the hospital living 26 days. The above is the text of the homily that was to be given at her mass of resurrection. Of coursre it was never given because the preacher kept breaking down during the mass. It is published here as a tribute to the joy and hope that Angel brought to people in her short life.)

MARY DOMENICA MAZZARELLO

13 May - Saint MARY DOMENICA MAZZARELLO

Virgin - Co-foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

Mary Domenica was born on May 9, 1837, in Mornese (Alessandria). At fifteen, she joined the Association of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and began her apostolate among the young people of her village. A serious attack of typhoid, at the age of 23, had a profound spiritual effect on her. The experience of her own physical fragility, on the one hand, deepened her abandonment to God and, on the other, encouraged her to open a sewing school to educate the girls in work, prayer and love of God.

Encounter with Don Bosco - Thanks to her intense sacramental life, and under the wise guidance of Fr. Pestarino, she made great progress in the spiritual life. On the occasion of Don Bosco's visit to Mornese (10-8-1864) she said: "Don Bosco is a saint and I feel it". In 1872 Don Bosco chose her to begin the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters). As Congregational Leader, she proved a capable formator and teacher of spiritual life. She was cheerful and serene, and spread peace wherever she went. She radiated joy and involved other young people in her dedication to the education of women.The Institute developed rapidly. At her death, she left her Daughters an educational tradition, permeated by Gospel values: the search for God, whom we come to know through enlightened catechesis and ardent love, responsibility in work, sincerity and humility, austerity of life and joyful self-giving. She died in Nizza Monferrato on May 14, 1881. Her remains are venerated in the Basilica of Mary Our Help in Turin. Her feast is celebrated on May 13.

1st Reading - Revelation 19,1.5-9a
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1, 26-31
Gospel: Lk 10, 21-28

HOMILY

The readings of today highlight an important aspect in the life of Mary Mazzarello – her deep humility and simplicity. We have only to remember how she constantly ceded to others and was always hesitant to accept the leadership of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and then of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

In the letter to the Corinthians Paul constantly highlights the antithesis of the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God. What and who the world considers wise God considers foolish and meaningless. Instead God values things that the world considers foolish. Thus the cross and suffering, humility and simplicity are important considerations in God’s sight. Paul reminds the church in Corinth that they have this claim on God’s love – the fact that none of them were great in the eyes of the world.

Luke, a disciple of Paul, continues along the same lines in the Gospel passage given to us this morning. Interestingly the solemn prayer to the Father that introduces this reading is the only such solemn opening other than the Our Father in the Lucan gospel. Jesus begins by praising His Heavenly Father for this magnificent revelation – that the poor, simple, illiterate, ignorant are often chosen ahead of the rich, clever, intelligent ones. The KOG overturns what the world considers important and essential. The simple and humble are in direct communication with God, the see God and they enjoy the joy of that experience. In this experience of emptiness and unworthiness they realize that their entire life depends totally on God.

These elements can be so aptly applied to Mary Mazzarello. She who did not know how to write until she took the reins of the nascent congregation, was chosen for her magnificent gifts of head and heart, for her deep union with God and her limpid sanctity to lead and guide the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

In the letter he wrote for the Centenary of the Death of Mary Mazzarello in 1981, Don Egidio Vigano – the seventh successor of Don Bosco – highlights two distinguishing characteristics of the spirituality of Mary Mazzarello (among many others). Her deep and profound mysticism and her radical simplicity and asceticism. These are the vertical and horizontal axes of her spirit that enabled her to reach out to the poor and the needy entrusted to her care. She had already seen those entrusted to her in her vision at Borgoalto as she recovered from an almost fatal attack of typhoid. She seen many young people appealing to her to come and help them. And a voice said to her: “I entrust them all to you.”

To comment on her mysticism in a few words is difficult but just a glimpse at her Eucharistic piety would be sufficient. She was very close to the Eucharistic Jesus. From her days at the window at the Valponasca where she would adore the Eucharistic Jesus being exposed in the Church at Mornese…to the way she transmitted her closeness to the Eucharist to her companions in the early days of the Institute. We are told of how beautifully she would describe Jesus. Don Costamagna commented that hearing her describe Jesus present in Holy Communion one had the distinct impression that she was seeing Jesus not just with the eyes of faith but with her bodily eyes. On one occasion in the whole community there was one very sad postulant. When asked why she was sad she lamented her inability to receive communion that day. “After all that Mother said about Jesus present in the Eucharist I feel so sad that I was not able to receive him today and will only be able to do so tomorrow.” The spirit of Pentecost prevailed among the early sisters.

Along with her deep mystical moments Mother Mazzarello was known as a woman of profound asceticism and simplicity. Much of what she did may not be stuff for imitation but we need to look beyond the practices to the reason for this total self-abnegation. We know that there was abject poverty prevailing among the early sisters. Money was hard to come by and their diet left most of them feeling hungry after each meal. Many of their visitors were astounded at how they managed to survive. In fact it seemed to Don Bosco to somewhat exaggerated; and after a number of deaths among the young members he had to intervene several times personally to moderate the rigors of the community. But this frugality made for a very happy community with genuine warmth and concern.

Finally it seems that this profound mystical depth and her deep simplicity and asceticism made her totally available for the mission entrusted to her by God – leading the young and the poor to salvation. Knowing the loving heart of God and detached from all earthly things she was able to be the humble instrument in God’s hand to make this world a better place.

As we keep the Feast of Mary Mazzarello may each of us imbibe her spirit – the spirit of the anawim – the humble, simple and the gentle….may this lead us to be deeply united with God in a profound mysticism and may it help us be totally detached from all worldly things with a radical asceticism. Then we will experience God’s action in our lives and be transformed by his grace.
As our Salesian sisters prepare for their 22nd General Chapter with the theme: “Called to be, today, a sign and expression of the foreseeing love of God.” We pray that following the example of MM they may be able to live a deep mysticism and radical asceticism and simplicity thus enabling them to make their lives a living expression of God’s love for those to whom they are sent.

MSGR. FELIX MACHADO CONSECRATED BISHOP OF NASHIK DIOCESE

NASHIK, MARCH 12, 2008: In a grand liturgical ceremony, the newly appointed Archbishop Felix Machado was consecrated by Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, on Saturday, March 8, as the new Bishop of the Nashik diocese. Eighteen bishops from various dioceses in Maharashtra, including Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata –Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, Vatican, more than 200 priests, hundreds of nuns and about eight thousand people thronged the St. Xavier's High School grounds, Nashik Road, Nashik, to witness the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Machado. The Principal Consecrator Cardinal Gracias was assisted by co-consecrators Bishop Valerian D'Souza of Pune and Bishop Emeritus of Nashik Msgr. Bhalerao.

The consecration ceremony began at 11 am when the Bishop-elect was led in procession from the Shrine of Infant Jesus to the huge grounds, where a colossal Shamiyana and an altar was erected. The bishops were welcomed with an aarti by Suhasinis, who placed Tilaks on their foreheads. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Bishop-elect was presented to the Principal Consecrator for Episcopal Ordination. Diocesan Chancellor Fr. Peter Dias then read the Papal Bull - an official document signed by Pope Benedict XVI, appointing Archbishop Machado as the Bishop of Nashik – for which all the faithful thanked God. "This is the Day which the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it…", rejoiced Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai in his homily. Overjoyed with the appointment of Msgr. Felix as the new Bishop of Nashik, Bishop Dabre briefly narrated all the duties the newly consecrated Bishop has to fulfill and the responsibilities he has to shoulder while guiding his flock to the heavenly abode.

At the end of the Holy Eucharist, the newly ordained Bishop of Nashik, Archbishop Felix Machado imparted his first Episcopal Blessings to the thousands of faithful who had gathered to witness the consecration ceremony. Thereafter, Archbishop Felix Machado was felicitated by a cultural programme performed by various groups from the diocese.

(CBCI News)

LENT IS A TIME FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE

“LENT IS A TIME FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE” – SOME QUERIES AND RESPONSES…



What does it mean to "fast"?

To fast is to do without food. Its purpose is to experience the effects of not eating. It also serves to be a penance or a sacrifice - for the purpose of strengthening us. When we don't eat, for even a little while, we get hungry. When we get hungry, we have a heightened sense of awareness. If, when we eat too much, we have a sluggish feeling, when we fast, we have a feeling of alertness. Fasting is a wonderful exercise whenever we want to sincerely ask for an important grace from God. It is not that our fasting "earns" God's attention, but by fasting, we clarify our thinking and our feeling. It is purifying and prepares us to pray more deeply.

When do I fast?

Catholics, as a group, are required to fast on only two days of the year - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, fasting means something very specific and limited. It means that one eats only one full meal in a day, with no food in-between meals. It is understood that two other meals, if one eats three meals a day, should not total one full meal. One might fast in a more complete way, i.e., eating only a portion of a single meal.

Of course, anyone is free to fast at any time that it is helpful for their prayer and reflection. It is not recommended that anyone with impaired health should fast in any way. It is also important to note that everyone who fasts should drink enough fluids on a fast day.

Who should fast and abstain?

Those who have completed 18 years and are not over 60 years are obliged to fast. Abstinence is to be practiced by all who are 14 years of age and older.

What does it mean to "abstain"?

To abstain is to not eat meat. Its purpose is to be an act of penance - an act of sacrifice, that helps us grow in freedom to make much bigger sacrifices. Of course, it would not make sense to make the sacrifice of not eating meat, and then eat a wonderful meal I might enjoy even more. Many people eat a vegetarian diet, for a variety of reasons, and eating meat is not even an issue. It might be possible to abstain from a non-meal that I really like, on all the Fridays of Lent. It should be noted that many people in this world cannot afford to eat meat or do not have access to it. Part of our abstaining from meat can place us in solidarity with so many of our sisters and brothers around the world.

Are there other options for penance and abstinence?

Yes, the new Code of Canon Law has left it to the Episcopal Conference to determine, in place of abstinence, other forms of penance, specially works of charity and exercises of piety. In virtue of this, the CCBI has decreed that the obligations of abstinence can be fulfilled by choosing certain other forms of prayer or penance or works of charity, besides the traditional one of abstinence from meat. In the Diocese of Nashik the faithful may choose from anyone of the following:

1. Attending mass or making the Way of the Cross or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or a meditation on the Lord’s Passion.
2. Prayerfully reading the Scriptures or praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
3. Preparing for Liturgical Services by reflecting on the readings as a family.
4. Giving 10% of one’s daily wage in charity.
5. Donating Blood.
6. Offering a meal to a poor family; helping them to buy clothes.
7. Offering voluntary service to a Social/Charitable Institution through the parish or on one’s own.
8. Abstaining from meat preparations if meat is part of one’s regular diet.
9. Missing any one meal: breakfast, lunch or supper.
10. Taking strictly vegetarian meals, without even fish and eggs.
11. Abstaining from alcohol and/or smoking, for those who use these.
12. Avoiding all beverages like tea or coffee or sweet drinks between meals.
13. Avoiding films, television and other forms of recreation.

What are Easter Duties? When can I fulfill them?

Easter Duties would require that the Christian faithful who have been admitted to the Blessed Eucharist, receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Paschal time, unless for a good reason the precept is fulfilled at another time during the year (Can.920). The faithful are reminded that those who have reached the age of discretion are bound to confess their grave sins at least once a year (Can.989). In our diocese, the Easter Duties can be fulfilled this year between Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008 and Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008.

WE REJOICE AT THE FOLLOWING NEWS:

On 16th January 2008, in a communiqué released at the Vatican,

The Holy Father appointed

MSGR. FELIX ANTHONY MACHADO

of the clergy of Vasai, India, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue,

as bishop of the diocese of Nashik (area 57,532, population 20,295,000, Catholics 86,750, priests 111, religious 406), India,

with the personal title of archbishop.

The archbishop- elect was born in Remedy, Vasai, India in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1976.

(Vatican Information Service)

THE EPIPHANY PROCLAMATION

(Taken from the Collaborative Ministry site I thought it would be useful to remind Catholics of the important moveable feasts that are coming up this year)

Epiphany Proclamation 2008

While a day like Christmas is fixed in our minds and on the calendars on December 25th, many of the important feasts of the Church year move, based upon the date that Easter is set. Easter changes each year moving to the Sunday after the "Paschal Full Moon," and can fall between March 22 and April 25.

In ancient times before calendars were common, most people did not know the dates for the upcoming Liturgical year. On Epiphany Sunday, the upcoming dates were "proclaimed" after the gospel in this way:

Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of his return.
Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.
Let us recall the year's culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial, and his rising celebrated between the evening of the twentieth day of March and the evening of the twenty-third day of March.
Each Easter -- as on each Sunday -- the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the sixth day of February.
The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the first day of May.
Pentecost, joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the eleventh day of May
And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the thirtieth day of November.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.
To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever.

Amen.

I said to the man

who stood at the gate of the year

'Give me a light that I may tread

safely into the unknown.'

And he replied,'Go into the darkness and

put your hand into the hand of God

That shall be to you better than light and

safer than a known way!

'So I went forth and finding the Hand of God

Trod gladly into the night

He led me towards the hills

And the breaking of day in the lone east.....