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“PUT
OUT INTO THE DEEP WATER AND LET DOWN YOUR NETS FOR A CATCH”-LUKE
5: 4
To walk in ‘The path of love’ has always
been the mission and spirituality of Santvana. 1Cor14: 1 ‘Let
love be your goal’. But remaining in love demands commitment
and sacrifice. As it is said, ‘Love works if we work at it’.
The canonical approval by the Archbishop of Delhi, Rev. Vincent
M Concessao as ‘a pious association’ is predominantly an invitation
on the part of the Catholic Church to put out into the deep
for a catch. This recognition is largely a driving force to
re-organize or deepen our ministries in the path of love by
committing ourselves to grow in love. Hence it is an imperative
responsibility to take one step further towards the building
of the kingdom of God through prayer and proclamation according
to what the church needs of us. In order to re-organize ourselves
the ministries are divided into 3 groups – preaching, evangelizers
and intercessors. The community gathering was a time for reflection,
sharing, praying, building up towards prayer and interpersonal
relationship and rejuvenating one’s self for the mission field.
John 9:4 ‘We must work the works of him who sent me while it
is day; night is coming when no one can work.’ The mission of
Jesus begins with tirelessly preaching the gospel and telling
about his father’s love. The gospel has to be made present everywhere.
John Paul II says, ‘every person has a right to know the gospel.
Understanding this St Paul says, ‘Woe to me if I don’t preach
the gospel.’ The primary goal of the community this year was
on ‘Love’. Now in addition to ‘Love’ the focus now will be more
on ‘Mission’. R.M. 44 – The subject of proclamation is Jesus
died and risen. Through him is accomplished our full and authentic
liberation from sin and death. This is the good news that changes
human beings and history which all people have a right to hear.
The gathering began from 11th to 15th November with immense
joy in the Holy Spirit wherein all the community members gathered
along with Fr. Dheeraj Sabu. The main focus was on mission.
Father said, even if one dies one should give the gospel. This
is the call given to all Christians. First of all what is needed
for evangelization is: ‘The vision of God’. Many do not know
where they are heading. The way to damnation is broad and many
are those who take it. But when we have a vision of heaven we
know what the people need. Vision grows through prayer. When
prayer increases awareness increases and we begin to recognize
God as the father. With this awareness we begin to recognize
others as my brothers and sisters. We are called to be true
missionaries. Thirst for evangelization is a must for every
missionary. One should become a living sacrifice. Evangelization
means a relationship inviting people to experience the loving
father. True evangelization comes by knowing the father. All
this has been revealed through the Holy Spirit.
Ever ready
When the prayer requests come through
e-mail, telephone, post etc, our Brother Anthony Doss and team
in our Prayer house are ever ready to lift all these intentions
to Jesus at once. This is not a one time lifting. But they persist
in prayer until they receive information that the prayer has
been granted. It is a joy to realize that the Lord readily answers
the prayers of his faithful.
Village Outreaches:
Ms. Celene and Mrs. Pally Tressa are
always on the move visiting the houses in the villages near
our Prayer House. Now they have reached out to more than eleven
villages. Out of these, 90% of the residents are people from
other faiths. At present there are two prayer groups in two
different villages. Even though the prayer groups are conducted
in Christian houses so many people of other faiths are also
attending the prayer groups regularly. Mr. Pascal Ekka, Mr.
Amit Kirketa and Jeevan Kumar are also supporting this ministry
from the Community.
One Day Prayer Service
Every 2nd Saturday people are invited
to our Prayer House for a time of Praying and healing. Almost
35 people have been coming for this gathering in the last 5
months. Most of them are our friends belonging to other faiths.
The service starts off with praise & worship followed by
a talk. Testimonies are also shared to motivate people into
faith. Sometimes video programmes centered around Jesus are
shown which helps the viewers of whom many are illiterate, to
have a more tangible understanding of our faith. The programme
concludes with a healing prayer where the sick are prayed over.
A time of fellowshipping happens over tea and snacks.
Bible Nursery
In this world the values are getting
diluted, morals are on the decrease and selfishness has become
a part of life. In the midst of these circumstances we thought
how we can play our part to make a difference. This thought
gave rise to the bible nursery where we can nurture the children
with the morals and teachings of Christ.
There are 10 children below 9yrs. in the first batch. Every
week they learn one Word of God, one small prayer and about
a Saint. (from Angels Army- A Jesus Youth initiative). It was
amazing to see the children preparing themselves for the birth
of baby Jesus. All the 25 days of advent, they were doing small
good deeds, small prayers to give their ‘Little Hearts to baby
Jesus’. Mrs. Violet Massey (A Jesus Youth for-runner) and Rita
Joseph are teaching staff of the bible nursery.
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