Hello SaligaoNetters
The H1N1 virus has come to stay, at least for a while, so we have to do what we have to do to keep healthy. I am sure all are aware of the various steps to be taken in this respect. And yes we should be alert & not believe that the virus will catch others but not us. I fully agree with what Lloyd has written & we can each do our bit including the prayer bit. The parish priest here requested us (perhaps it was a couple of years ago when he was first posted here) to receive Holy Communion via our hands & many of us do follow that, it is more hygienic for the priest & for each of us. With the virus rampant, I think it is only right that we continue this. As for the Holy Water placed in containers near the church door......well I havent been dipping my fingers into those since April. I dont think there is any harm in making the sign of the cross without the Holy Water. I do use the Holy Water I have at home though. Perhaps one could do that to prevent this flu virus & any other yet to come (flu viruses are usually rampant by Novemberr when the weather changes here). Do whatever one has to do .... is my punch line It is our weekend - guess most people are avoiding the movie halls & crowded halls - too hot & humid to venture out anyway. Patsy, what a pity we will not be meeting each other this time in Saligao... perhaps I will meet you in your part of the world once I've developed immunity to H1N1. A few years ago, my plans were on hold due to SARS, now it is due to H1N1. I wonder which letters of the alphabet will be used next year to name diseases on this planet of ours! Have a good day Wishes for good health to one & all Annette > From: [email protected] > Netters will also be interested to note that churches in Pune have taken > this very seriously. On the instructions of the Pune Bishop, all churches > have stopped putting holy water in the containers at the church doors. > People have been asked to receive holy communion via their hands and not on > their tonges, etc. Also, at the end of every mass (Sundays and weekdays) at > all churches, a special prayer is recited together with the priest (Prayer > for Protection from H1N1). See attached or below. I feel this is not to > scare people but make one aware of the reality one has to face, as most of > us would say, ' Oh, these things happen to someone else'. > > My earnest prayer for now is that, may Saligao and Goa be protected from the > H1N1 virus and also our family members and friends living elsewhere or > aborad. > > Best regards, > > Lloyd > > P.S. Refer below to prayer recited at the end of daily mass at Pune > churches. > > > > PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM H1N1. > > H Heavenly Father, we thank you for the precious gift of life and your > continuous caring hand in our lives. > > We are sorry as we have all sinned against you. We plead for your mercy and > compassion. Protect our families and friends in our villages and cities and > our loved ones living away or are abroad. > > Almighty Father, by the precious blood of Jesus your Son and our Saviour, we > ask to destroy the HINI virus that has afflicted our world. Let this flu not > claim any more lives or harm anyone. > > Claiming your word from Isaiah "No weapon that is fashioned against you > shall prosper ", we humbly ask you in Jesus' name to heal our land and save > us from any destruction. > > Mary our protector, we implore your special intercession and prayer to save > us from this calamity. > > We, make this prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the > Holy Spirit. Amen. > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ Show them the way! Add maps and directions to your party invites. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/products/events.aspx --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
