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This is what our Lord JESUS CHRIST set out for all of us. The word of God has never changed, but the medium through which his word must be proclaimed has changed with time. In fact it has diversified in so many ways.

In the modern world the press, radio, TV and more recently the mobile and internet have played a very important role in shaping the society and worked as effective means of communication over long distances and to connect to many by the simple touch of a button or the click of a key.
It all sums up in one word- MEDIA.

The Catholic Church has embraced this effective tool of the modern age and has worked to proclaim the Gospel as well as continue the work of the church by every mode of media there is today. This is what “MEDIA FOR CHRIST” means.

On Sunday the 11th July 2010 the Archdiocese of Mumbai celebrated 160 years of Communication Sunday. On this occasion the Bandra Deanery organized a talk on Media and Technology at the Retreat House in Bandra. Mt. Carmel’s Church being a an active and one of the most media oriented parish was invited to conduct this talk.

Many Catholic Laity from the Deanery attended this unique seminar.
The attendants of the Seminar included a wide range of people that covered the entire spectrum of the Church and society. A majority of the attendants were Catechism teachers as this talk was a prequel to a second talk on the Catechism of First Holy Communicants. But there was also a good number of nuns from various orders, working adults, house wives, retired citizens, elderly and even college and working youth.

Our team included Fr. Warner D’Souza-Director of the Mt. Carmel Youth Movement (MCYM), Brian D’Souza- Media Mentor (MCYM) & Core Council Member (PYAT-Mt. Carmel Church), Rixon Lewis- Core Council Member (PYAT-Mt. Carmel Church), Andre Fernandes Media Coordinator (MCYM) and myself(MCYM – Spiritual Head).

We were warmly welcomed by Fr. Terence who was very excited to have us over for the talk.

The talk began with a very heartfelt video on the development of a Human Child in the mother’s womb. It was a touching, pro-life audio visual that shed light on God’s awesome creation, the uniqueness and the purpose he has for every human life, and that every life must to be protected from its conception to natural death. Following this video, Fr. Warner explained how topics like abortion and the pro-life ideology which is something that may need an hour or more of explaining could be explained effectively through a powerful yet simple audio-visual. This caught the attention of all and bought everyone to a realization that there are better and more effective ways of explaining things to people, especially youth, given the backing of effective Media.

Fr. Warner then went on to explain the importance of using media as an effective tool in teaching and training the Catholic in the faith and to a greater understanding of God’s awesome love.

With this he introduced our team and then set stage for the young and dynamic Entrepreneur and Media Mentor of the MCYM, Brian D’Souza to take over. Brian has been a very experienced Media Professional and like Fr. Warner says our Media guy. He has also worked with the MCYM from the very days of its inception and been instrumental in the design, conceptualization, and upkeep of the Mt. Carmel Youth Movement Website called www.mtcarmelyouthmovement.com

Brian took the attendants through a very eye catching informative visual presentation and explained a wide range of topics, from the basics of media covering everything from online media consisting of social networking and sites like facebook to mobile communications and even things like “How to make a presentation on Powerpoint”

Brian said that media is sometimes treated with fear specially by people of the older generation and effectively helped in shedding of that fear by explaining how easy it was to use and learn if one was willing. Brian shed light on the fact that almost everything that we look for is on the internet and Google is the best way to find it and also videos on almost anything including tutorials can be seen and downloaded from YouTube. Importantly he explained that even information and other media tools regarding the faith can be obtained from the internet for example websites like www.sermons4kids.com.

Brian also brought to notice as to how the mobile and internet can be used as an effective communication tools to get messages through to people especially the mobile and internet savvy youth with free SMS services from websites like www.way2sms.com and others of which any were not aware of this free service. He also went on to show how a profile can be created on social networking websites like facebook and how it can also be used to create groups and chat rooms for regular interaction and event promotion.

People attending asked a lot of questions to which Brian was quick to answer with great enthusiasm. It was heartwarming to see the interest of everyone given the fact that many of the attendants were middle aged grownups. They were eager to learn and apply all that they had heard in their own parishes. Brian ended the talk by screening a video that he had downloaded from the internet on how to make a Powerpoint Presentation. Everyone was amazed at how a simple audio-visual can teach so much, and how easy it is to download not to mention the fact that it is freely available.

Fr. Warner ended the talk by summarizing the information given and sparking the fire in everyone to learn and apply these technologies in media and in this way to continue their work to be effective instruments for God and his Kingdom. We received a great applause and all of us in the team had this feeling of pride and joy which came from the fact that all of us no matter who we are can use the talents we have for God and for uplifting and teaching others and in this way we become instruments for Jesus and for the Greater Glory of his Kingdom. So if you are not actively involved in your Church, go ahead and use your talent for God and His Church and don’t be afraid go ahead and use the media for effectively promoting the Gospel and your Church.

For Some It May Have Been A Worth While Journey But For Others I Believe It Was A Life Changing Experience. Three Days Away From Home in the Mid-West Airs Of Lonavla in the Mitts of Nature at the Stanislaus Villa Was an Unforgettable Memory.

The Games The Walks The Treks The Rains The Jives The Holy Hours And The Cup Of Joy Every Moment Will Be Cherished By One And All. As Making New Friends And Socialising Took A Stage the Period Also Turned Out To Be A Weekend Of Relaxation As The Stress Free Environment Helped Many To Put Aside Their Troubles And Difficulties And Have Fun Truly From Their Hearts.

The Morning Walks Helped Us Discover Nature At Its Time Of True Beauty. And The Food I Believe Was Simply Delicious. As a Few Learnt How To Shake A Hip And Learnt Jiving During The Jive Sessions The Others Discovered Closeness With God During The Holy Hours As They Spent Some Alone Time With God Just Telling Him How Much They Love Him.

As One And All Await The Next Camp.
We’d Like to Thank Fr. Warner Who Made This Camp Possible and without whom the Youth of Mount Carmel’s Would Have Been Left Undiscovered.

This is to inform you that St Aloysius High School, the parish school of Mt Carmel Church has secured 100 percent pass results for the FOURTH YEAR IN SUCCESSION

Theme: Renewal and Reconciliation

Sunday, 7th March

6.00 p.m. Sunday Mass as usual in the church
(No parking of vehicles on the church grounds)

7.00 p.m. Recorded religious music and audio–visuals

7.30 p.m. ‘Sing and Pray’ led by the band ‘By Grace’

8 p.m to 9.15 p.m Mission talks

Monday, 8th March to Friday, 12th March
6.00 a.m. Mass

7.00 a.m. Talk and prayer

7.45 a.m. Mass

4.00 p.m. Talk and Prayer

7.00 p.m. Recorded religious music and audio–visuals

7.30 p.m. ‘Sing and Pray’ led by the band ‘By Grace’

8 p.m to 9.15 p.m Mission talks

Saturday, 13th March
6.00 a.m. Mass

7.00 a.m. Talk and prayer

7. 45 a.m. Mass

8.15 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. Confessions

4.00 p.m. Prayer Service

5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Confessions

6.30 p.m. ‘Sing and Pray’ led by the band ‘By Grace’

7.00 p.m. Sharings about the Intensive Lenten Mission

7.30 p.m. Eucharistic Celebration

Confessions:-

Friday, 12th March 8.15 a.m to 10 a.m
6 p.m. to 7 p.m
9.15 pm to 10 p.m

Saturday, 13th March 8.15 a.m to 10 a.m
5 p.m. to 6 p.m

Guests Priests will be available for confessions

The talks at the evening sessions (7.30 pm onwards) will be given by the following:-

1) Bishop Valerian D’souza
2) Fr Andrew Aranha
3) Fr Anthony J Fernandes
4) Fr Gilbert De Lima
5) Fr Joe Dias SJ
6) Fr Mario Mendes
7) Fr Savio De Sales

The sessions at 7 am and 4 pm will be conducted by the following:-

1) Mr Royston Braganza
2) Fr Anthony J Fernandes
3) Fr Byron Mendonca
4) Fr Gerard Rodricks SJ
5) Fr K.T Emmanuel
6) Fr Larry Pereira
7) Fr Peter Drego
8) Fr Savio De Sales
9) Fr Warner D’Souza

Scroll with MCYM names placed on the tomb of the Patron of the Youth of Mt.Carmel Church, Bandra, Mumbai, India. If you signed your name on the scroll, please tag yourself on the photograph by - Clicking Here

In the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, under the commanding mosaic of Christ in glory, are six pillars. Atop each is a statue of a Saint. There, side by side, are the figures of a queen (St Elizabeth), a vagrant (St Benedict Joseph Labre), a cook (St Zita) a doorman (St Conrad), a Mystic (St Gemma), and a parish priest (St John Vianney). For some of them, the road to holiness was easy, for others very hard. Some saints had gifts of great natural talent; others seemed devoid of it. Some saints were fiery, others gentle. Some were gregarious, others loners. There are old saints (such as St Anthony of the Desert, who lived to be 105) and young saints (such as Aloysius Gonzaga and Maria Goretti). There were brilliant saints (such as Thomas Aquinas) and dense saints (such as Joseph Cupertino). There were tough saints (such as Teresa of Avila) and emotional saints (such as Therese of Lisieux). There were innocent saints (such as Dominic Savio) and reformed sinners who became saints (such as Augustine). There are also saints who did not always agree with each other, such as Jerome and Augustine, who had a running battle of words for years. Nevertheless, the saints belong together. They all responded to God’s invitation to sainthood commemorated in today’s liturgy.

What makes something holy???
Old Testament- things became Holy through contact with other Holy things which became Holy through contact with God. (Exodus 29:37 gives the command: For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy. A similar command is given in the next chapter concerning the Tent of Meeting and many of the things used for worship: "You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy."
Jesus calls for a complete reversal of conventional values and standards.
- worldly wisdom says “Blessed are the rich for they can have everything they want.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” i.e. those who put their trust in God rather than wordly possessions.
- the world says, “Blessed are those who live it up” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn.” It is only those who are capable of loving who are capable of true mourning. To open one’s heart is to begin to live.
the world says, “Blessed are those who are tough.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are gentle.” Gentleness is not weakness as many think, but a form of true strength.
- the world says “Blessed are those who hunger for power, status and fame.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger for justice and what is right.” To live rightly is what life is all about.
- the world says, “Blessed are those who show no mercy and give no quarter.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful.” Happy are we who make allowances for the weaknesses of others, and whose greatness is in their ability to forgive.

the world says, “Happy are those who have clean fingernails, clean teeth and clean skin!” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have clean hearts.” If the heart is clean then all that flows from it will be clean.
- the world says, Blessed are the fighters and the bullies.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Happy are those who spread understanding and bring reconciliation where there is conflict, they are true children of God.
- the world says, “Blessed are those who lie and cheat and get away with it.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who make a stand for what is right, no matter what the cost.” The wounds they bear will be honourable wounds.

The beatitudes then are the mark of a true disciple of Jesus, they are the standards by which we measure holiness. The beatitudes are ultimately the attitudes of Christ and the saints which all of are meant to have in our daily life.

Fr. Joe Pereira a priest serving at Mt. Carmel's Church, Bandra,will receive the Padma Shree Award from the President of India for his tireless efforts in the field of alcohol and drug rehabilitation through t Kripa Foundation.

On 11th March at 8 pm, a felicitaion reception was held at Mt. Carmels. Here, are a few photographs of the evening.

On the occassion of Id , Fr. Byron visited 4 mosques in the area and greeted the muslim community of behalf of the Christian community.

Click on the image above to download & read articles that we featured in - THE EXAMINER

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