BIS #1552 THE HOLY CROSS - A SIGN OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH


Ivan Rodrigues sdb
AHMEDNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009:
The people of Mathani celebrated their annual feast of the Holy Cross with simple lifestyle and much devotion. The principal celebrant of the feast Fr. Michael Bansode highlighted the importance of the Cross giving them a historical touch. He sighted examples of Sant Tukaram and Narayan Waman Tilak to draw home the message of the Cross as the sign of deeper Christian faith. The catechist R. Jagtap animated the liturgy and prepared the people to be more generous towards the church. After a short felicitation the community shared the common meal.

There are six families in the village; of which some have migrated to the urban areas in search of employment, others work in their own field, and the remaining are engaged in some labour in and around the village.

Christianity as religion came to them when they faced endless struggle in their lives but they still have to understand it as a Way of Life. The Salesians at St. John’s Parish have been trying to make this “way of life” very meaningful to them. The catechist visits the village once a week and twice a month the Eucharist is celebrated for the people.

The village chapel is dedicated to the Holy Cross which was blessed in 2004. The annual feast helps them to realise their responsibility to towards their church. They are made aware of the contribution to build up the community.