Events
Divine Mercy Guru Nivas Opened At Karatgi

KOPPAL, NOV 6, 2016: Newly built presbytery (Guru Nivas) was blessed and inaugurated by Bishop Henry D'Souza at Karatgi, Koppal, on Sunday, 6th November.

While appreciating the efforts made and the hard work put into by Fr. Antonyraj, who volunteered to work in the new mission zealously, the Bishop applauded his contribution to establishing Karatgi mission and for building harmonious relationship with the people around.

"Situated amidst lush green paddy fields, the priest's residence cum chapel is a promising mission in the service of the proclamation of Good News", observed Bishop.

In particular the Bishop highlighted the cooperation given by the local Hindu families in building up the new mission.

In preparation for the inaugural event, a two days renewal retreat was organized and around 150 people of Karatgi and neighboring villages participated in the spiritual programme.

Bishop Henry D Souza and around 40 priests concelebrated in the Holy Eucharist.

Many religious and hundreds of people participated. Fr. Antonyraj thanked all the donors and well-wishers.

CBCI Calls For Day Of Prayer For India On Sunday, Oct. 16

OCT. 16: Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has called for a day of Prayer for India on Sunday, October 16, 2016. The following is the full text of the message:

Your Eminences, Graces, Excellencies and all People of Good Will,

Greetings of love and peace from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India!

On 2ndOctober, we Indians celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our beloved nation. On October 4, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a messenger of peace andcological harmony. On 11thOctober, our Hindu Brethrencelebrate Dusserah or Vijaya Dashami that is the victory of good over evil. Muharram, a day of special significance to the faith of our Muslim brethren falls on 12thOctober. On October 20, our Sikh brethren remember the birth of the Guru Granth. Deepavali, the festival of lights will illuminate our skies on 30thOctober, reminding us of the victory of light over darkness.

Amidst all these festivals, our beloved Country is going through extraordinary challenges especially on its borders. The Catholic Church prays for our beloved Country, for justice and peace prosperity and welfare, harmony and unity.

On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, I call for a day of PRAYER FOR INDIA on Sunday, October 16, 2016. I request all our Bishops, Parish Priests, Religious and Lay leaders to conduct special liturgies and prayers for the nation on this chosen day. I invite all our countrymen and women of good will to join us in praying for the Country. May every place of worship chime with prayers for our beloved nation, its leaders and its people.

I sincerely thank you in anticipation for your collaboration and cooperation.

May the Almighty Lord bless our Country.

Your Sincerely in Our Lord Jesus Christ,

+ Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos

President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India

October 4, 2016, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Fr. Joachim Inter-Faith Welcome Center Opened At Kottur

KOTTUR, SEPT. 28: A large number of people rejoiced over the opening of Fr. Joachim Memorial Inter-Faith Welcome Center at Kottur on Sep. 28.

Bishop Henry D Souza, Bishop of Bellary blessed the newly built Inter-faith Welcome Center under the leadership of Fr. Jai Prakash.

Newly elected Provincial of Order of Friars Minor Fr. Praveen D'Souza ofm unveiled the picture of Fr. Joachim of happy memory.

After the thanksgiving Holy Mass, an inter-faith meeting was held on the occasion.

Various religious communities were represented by their local leaders. Sri Channakoti Swamy of Nandipur Mutt, Sri Amarjith Singh of Sikh community, Sri Rajendra Kumar Jain of Jains, Sri Bagali Basha Saheb of Islam and Pastor Kotresh addressed the gathering. They stressed o the need of greater respect for all religious traditions and uphold social harmny.

Speaking at the occasion Bishop Henry D'Souza stated that the life and mission of Christains is to be inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and to love and serve one and all.

He recalled the recent canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta who "loved God and therefore served the poor".

Bishop also emphasized that world religions are gifts of God and they are not enemies of one another.

"Religions should never fight each other. Rather they should lead their followers to God and fight the common enemies such as poverty, diseases, violence and deprivation", Bishop insisted.

He urged and appealed to the leaders present to be promoters of agents love and peace.

Fr. Joachim who came to Bellary from United Kingdom in 1956, served in Bellary, Gulburga and Raichur districts for 53 years.

He used to walk for miles or pedal an old bicycle, which he used for 40 years visiting people in need irrespective of caste or creed.

He was an exemplary, dedicated missionary who toiled in this soil promoting message of peace, unity and love.

The Inter-Faith Welcome is a brain child of Fr. Jai Prakash, the first parish priest of Kottur.

This dream was realized through the generous contribution of the Trustees of Franciscan Friars of English Province.

Fr. Jai Prakash, the pioneer of Kottur Mission, landed in Kottur in 2012, striving to establish the mission.

Ms. Riya Kodali, a celebrity designer, was a special invitee at the occasion. Hundreds of people, priests, religious, and leaders of Kottur, Bellary, Raichur and various other parts of Karnataka witnessed the event.

MLC Ivan Briefs Ballari Public On Govts Christian Development Schemes

BALLARI, SEP. 23: Mr. Ivan D'Souza, Chief Whip of Karnataka Government in State Legislative Council and Member of Karnataka Christian Development Council briefed the public about Govt. schemes for Christian community at Ballari today.

While addressing a large number of Christian leaders and citizens at St. Antony's Community Center, Ivan strongly encouraged leaders of the community and the department staff to take up initiative at all levels to sensitise regarding the Government schemes available for the benefit of the community and to utilize them fully.

The awareness program was conducted by District Officer, Dept. of District Minority and Backward Class welfare Department.

Mr. Suresh Babu, the director welcomed the gathering. And a power point presentation regarding the available schemes was made on the occasion.

Christian Development Council members Anil Redson, Y. Anand, Bhaskar Prashant, Zilla Panchayat member Allam Prashant and Deputy Mayor Basavaraj were present at the occasion.

The United Christian Forum of Bellary was represented by Fr. Paulraj, vicar general and CSI area chairman Rev. Gona Emmanuel and Pastor Gunalan on the dais.

Mr. D'Souza also recommended that instead of Minority Council it would be better to have Christian development Corporation as is the case in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

He also invited the local Christian leaders to promote political representation/ leadership in the district.

Sri Ivan D Souza and other Minority Council members visited various churches and institutions like Christ the King Church at Cantonment, Sacred Heart Church, Fort, Telugu Church, Trinity Church and St. Antony's Cathedral also St. Joseph's Boys' School, C.B. Ballari.

Local parish priests, religious communities and heads of institutions enthusiastically participated in the programme.

Fr. Maxim Dias, Diocesan PRO and Director, St. Antony's Community Center facilitated the programme.

Office bearers of Catholic Association of Ballari (CAB) Gerald Valentine, Raju Balraju, Suby Mathew and others helped in organizing the program.

Earlier on Sep. 20 MLC Ivan D'Souza addressed the public at St. Mary's Hall, Raichur where the programme was facilitated by Fr. Leo Michael and Benjamin John.'