BIS # 3447 RESURRECTION CHURCH GOES ON A PILGRIM WAY OF THE CROSS

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3447

RESURRECTION CHURCH GOES ON A PILGRIM WAY OF THE CROSS

 

By Parishioner

 

VIRAR (E)-MUMBAI, MARCH 15, 2013:  In Keeping with the Lenten tradition of undertaking the Pilgrim way of the Cross a large number of parishioners of the Resurrection Church Virar (E), under the spiritual direction of Rev. Fr. Osborn Furtado, SDB, visited the Mission Churches of the Vasai Diocese, on the March 10, 2013.

 

Fr. Osborn celebrated the holy Eucharist for the faithful at Sacred Heart Church, Varkhanda, our first stop, wherein he invited the Parish Priest to give us a brief history of the Parish. Besides receiving the privilege of the Plenary Indulgence gained by the prayerful participation, the faithful were requested to pray for the forthcoming Conclave of Cardinals and for the specific needs of our Parish.

 

We then visited a hospital at Vadoli, and witnessed the exemplary selfless service being provided especially, to the leprosy patients by the Canossian Sisters. We continued with the Stations of the Cross in a beautiful Chapel within the hospital premises, where each of us experienced a deep sense of tranquility.

 

Next, we headed for Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Talasari, where the Jesuits are running schools and hostels for the Adivasis of the surrounding areas.

 

The remaining Stations of the Cross were completed at 'Param – Pita' (God the Father) Church, Gangangaon and Our Lady of Lourdes Church Bahare, both under the Vasai Diocese.

 

Our pilgrim journey to these areas was a truly enriching experience as each one of us was touched by the humanitarian service being undertaken by the religious in the remote interior areas of our country.

 

Each of the Churches/Mass centers we visited was a simple edifice, devoid of ornamentation  and luxury but a tangible witness of the dedicated missionary service, rooted in Christ's challenging words (Mat 25:40) "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me."

 

Our gratitude to the Parish team for providing us an opportunity to witness and experience the missionary spirit in action.  Although the road journey was a little arduous, we returned home with a spirit of gratitude to God for his many blessings on us which we often take for granted and a prayer on our lips for those men and women silently spreading His kingdom on earth. In grateful awe, we bless you with the words, "we thank our God, each time we think of you, and when we pray for you, we pray with joy."

 

God bless you all.