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MAY/JUNE 2003 NO.39

Message of Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha

A PRAYERFUL CHURCH

Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the joyful feast of Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit came down on the confused and timid disciples and transformed them into a spirit – filled people. It was the great beginning of the Church, the people of God.

The Spirit is at work today in the whole people of God- all have received charisms, gifts and graces. Each has a role to play in building up the church. This is the basis for the Participatory Church Model. It is the key to renewal. We welcome and encourage a greater involvement of the laity in the decision making process of the church.

In particular, we would like to underline the dimension of “Prayerful Church”, a key element of our diocesan vision. If more and more of our people pray the rosary at home and participate in the Sunday Liturgy, it will bring about a spiritual and moral renewal of our church.

I wish you all a very happy Pentecost feast – and a restful summer holiday!

ARCHDIOCESE OF LAHORE

VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is based on the vision statement of Jesus Himself in

Luke 4: 18-19

We pledge ourselves to be in person, word and action the Good News of the Kingdom in Pakistan.

We strive to become more fully a:

*Prayerful Church

*Participatory Church

*Church in Dialogue

*Serving Church

This statement was composed at the first meeting of the new Archdiocesan Pastoral Council on 22nd February 2003 at Lahore.

37th World Communications Day

On 37th World Communications Day, a seminar was organized on May 24, 2003 at Rabita Manzil, Lahore. Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, Chairman - NCSC, was the Chief guest. 82 Christian and Muslim communicators from different walks of life were present. The theme of this seminar was “Media & Peace”.

The main speakers were the former head of the department of Mass Media, University of the Punjab, Dr. Mehdi Hassan, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Justice & Peace- Pakistan, Mr. Peter Jacob, and the Vice Provincial of Order of Preachers- Pakistan, Fr. Zafar Iqbal OP.

His Grace, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha said that media has provided us the opportunity of living in a global village. Media affect our thinking and doing.They can change the thinking of human beings by playing its positive role.

Bible Day for Christian Teachers

On May 24 - 03, Dar - ul - Kalam arranged a Conference for Christian teachers. 180 teachers from 24 schools of Lahore city participated.

Rev. Fr. Francis Nadeem, vice provincial of Capuchins, presided over the Eucharistic concelebration at which Fr. Nasir Gulfam preached on Jesus as the model teacher. After Bible Poster Exhibition, Rev. Fr. Asi gave a talk about the vital role of teachers in the formation of students. A teacher is a leader who makes leaders and works as animator to achieve educational goals.

The chief guest, Rev. Fr. Francis Nadeem said that our Christian teachers must play an exemplary role in the formation of students. They should be living model for students, he added.

At the end, the programme director of Dar - ul - Kalam, Mr. Yaqoob Dass thanked all the guests and participants. He said that Holy Bible is a book of life which gives life to our lives.

A Double Success

In two areas, Caritas Lahore has made a significant break through:

First, the repatriation of Afghan refugees. In cooperation with UNHCR, Caritas has helped over 400 Afghan families to return home to their motherhood. More families are expected to be sent back in the coming months.

The second success is the opening of a drop- in – centre for drug addicts in Kot Lakhpat. This project is being funded by the British Government.

Congratulations to Mr. Raymond Rozario and the staff for the great achievement which has put Caritas Lahore on the map.

New School in Bagrian

The Archdiocese has purchased a primary school in Bagrian, a village in South Lahore and handed over the administration to the John of God Sisters who have built a convent nearby.

The school, known as St. Andrew’s School, will cater for the poor children in this locality. We welcome this institution and wish the Sisters all success in their apostolate.

Leadership Training

42 young people from 18 parishes took part in Leadership Training workshop at Renewal Centre, Lahore from15- 18 May 2003.The Catholic Youth Ministry Office organized this workshop which was very well conducted by Mr. Javaid William, Executive Secretary of Caritas Pakistan - national office, Lahore.

New Publication

A new Bible for children in Urdu is due to be published in July 2003. It is a special subsidized edition by Pakistan Bible Society and contains over 200 beautiful coloured pictures.



St. Mary’s Computer Centre

On 5th May, St. Mary’s Computer Centre was inaugurated in Gulberg Parish by Rev. Fr. Joseph Shehzad, coordinator for youth ministry.He congratulated Fr. Morris Jalal, parish priest, for this practical and useful project for youth. He said it is a precious opportunity for young people to brighten their future through skill training.

FTL Renewal Seminar

His Grace, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha arranged a Renewal Seminar for Franciscan Tertiary Sisters (FTL) of Lahore Archdiocese on April 25 to 27 at Dar-ul-Kalam, Lahore. Rev. Fr. Zafar Iqbal OP Sr. Raphaela and Sr. Sofia SCJM facilitated various sessions of this seminar.

This was a great event for FTL Sisters because this was a first time they could come together to reflect on their life and mission. It really, helped them to renew their vocation and commitment.

Priests’ Conference

42 priests of Lahore Archdiocese were present at Priests’ Conference on May 26 – 2003 at Renewal Centre - Youhanabad, Lahore.

The various sessions were conducted

by Fr. Abid Habib, Fr. Kamal and Fr.

Emmanuel Asi. The purpose of this conference was to share and talk about the Participatory Church and to promote structures of participation in the Church.

His Grace, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha stressed priests and religious to establish an effective praying community in a parish. This is a vision of the Archdiocesan pastoral council. All priests agreed to discuss this in their circle meetings and actualize this vision in their respective parishes.

Annual Assembly of Jesus Caritas

Rev. Fr. Inayat Bernard, the national responsible of Jesus Caritas fraternity for Priests has announced that the annual national assembly of Jesus Caritas will take place on June 18 to 20 –2003 at National Marian Shrine – Mariamabad.

Transfers

* The principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, Sr. Angelina OP

has been transferred to Faisalabad and Sr. Parveen Rehmat has

replaced her.

* The principal of St. Dominic Convent School - Johar Town, Sr.

Magdalene OP has been transferred to Karachi and Sr. Sabina Joseph

has taken her place in Lahore.

Beatification of founder

The founder of Pauline family Fr. James Alberione has been beatified in Rome on 27th of April 2003. A special Holy Mass was celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, followed by a get-together.

We congratulate the Pauline Sisters on this blissful occasion.

Carmelites in South Africa

Due to visa problems, the Carmelite Sisters left Lahore for Sri Lanka in October 2001. On 13th of May, they moved to their new monastery in South Africa. They have one Pakistani sister, Sr. Juanita. We wish God’s blessings on their new foundation. We hope that they continue to pray for the Pakistani Church.

Condolences

* To Sr. Agnes SCJM on the death of her mother who died on 9th of May

2003 in Gujranwala.

* To Rev. Fr. Joseph louis on the death of his nephew on 22nd of May

2003 in Lahore.

* To Sr. Michelle Tufail FTL on the death of her father on 31st of May

2003 in Lahore.

* To Pat Benbow on the death of his Sister Rita in England.

Official Appointments

* Rev. Fr. Saleem Anjum OFM Cap has been appointed the chairman of

the Catholic Broadcasting Association (CBA). We thank Fr.

Colm Murphy for serving CBA for last five years. A new board

will soon be established.

* Rev. Fr. Robin Bashir has been appointed the director of vocations.

Archbishop’s Engagements

June 2003

1st June …Confirmation: Shahdara
7th June… Meeting: Catholic Board of Education.
8th June …Confirmation: Cathedral.
10th June…Feast of St.Anthony’s Parish, Lahore.
11th June…Meeting: Radio Veritas Board.
14th June…Reception at Daska.
15th June…Confirmation: Narowal.
19th June…Blessing of Chapel in Kot Lakhpat, Lahore.
21st June…Meeting:Ziarat Committee.
22nd June…Confirmation:Kot Lakhpat, Lahore.
27th June…Priestly Ordination of 5 Capuchins.
28th June…Opening: Caritas Drop in Centre, Kot Lakhpat, Lhr.
29th June…1st Profession – DSP.
30th June…National Youth Camp, Ayubia.

July 2003

6th July… Confirmation: Narowal.
9th July… Confirmation:Kot Ladha (Hafizabad)
17th July…Catechists Refresher Course I.
19th July… Final Profession, FTL
20th July… Confirmation: Henrike.
24th July… Catechists Refresher Course II.

Save yourself from heat & enjoy with mangoes







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