Catholic Charity Trust Celebrates Silver Jubilee And St. Thomas Day By SAR NEWS
AHMEDABAD, Gujarat (SAR NEWS) -- Snehadeepam, a public charitable trust of Kerala Catholics under the St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Church in Ahmedabad, celebrated the organisation's silver jubilee, July 6. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Thrissur in Kerala, who was the chief guest at the celebration, applauded the services of Snehadeepam. "Though I am coming here for the first time, I feel at home with your love and hospitality. Malayalis here are a very loving people," he said. The occasion also saw the celebration of the feast of St. Thomas. The twin celebrations started with a solemn procession from St. Ignatius Loyola Church to the Diamond Jubilee Auditorium of St. Xavier's Loyola School on the same campus. Volunteers carried a big statue of St. Thomas and many ornamental umbrellas in procession. Jesuit Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar and a dozen Malayali priests from the four dioceses of Gujarat joined the procession. The Holy Kurbana (Mass)in the auditorium was led by Archbishops Thazhath and Fernandes. Archbishop Thazhath spoke about the significance of jubilee in the Bible in the context of Snehadeepam's celebrations and also the feast of St. Thomas. "St. Thomas not only came to South India and spread Christianity in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but has also gave us the greatest expression of our faith, 'My Lord and My God'," Archbishop Thazhath said. The Jubilee Hall was packed with about a thousand people from St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and the neighbouring St. Xavier's Parish at Navrangpura, and other parishes of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Archbishop Fernandes recalled his long association with the Malayali Catholics in Gujarat while he was the parish priest of the Camp Parish and as the bishop of Ahmedabad for 17 years. He then became the archbishop of Gandhinagar Archdiocese in 2002. Archbishop Fernandes stressed the need for Christian life to be centered around Christ and the unity of all Christians -- professing one faith, baptism and Holy Spirit. Speaking at the civic meeting which followed the Kurbana, Bishop Macwan of Ahmedabad congratulated Snehadeepam on the 25 years of its service to the Church and society. "In South India, St. Thomas preached Christ mainly in Kerala, and St. John de Britto did the same in Tamil Nadu. They shed their blood for the faith," he said. Bishop Macwan recalled Jesus's words: "Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit," (John 12, 24). " "We are facing a systematic persecution in Kerala, Gujarat and other places in India. We will be able to face these challenges, like the persecution and the anti-conversion Bill in Gujarat, by remaining united in faith and making sacrifices and even dying for our faith. Wherever there is persecution, the Church will grow," said the prelate. President of Snehadeepam, Advocate P. T. Chacko gave a report of the various activities of the Trust in social, educational and religious fields. In his presidential address, Archbishop Thazhath appreciated Snehadeepam for promoting co-operation and unity of faith among Christians. "We are all one in Jesus Christ," he said.Snehadeepam honoured eight Jesuit jubilerians with a shawl and a gift pack each. The jubilerians are Fathers Alex Thannipara, Joseph Thomas, Joseph Mattam, Joseph Ovelil, Ishanand Vempeny, Jose Changanacherry, K.C. Thomas and Varghese Mannarkulam. The civic function included prize distribution for school children for their outstanding performances in studies and also for the competitions held on the occasion of Snehadeepam jubilee. Thazhath also released a souvenir.
