On 25th, 26th and 27th October 2022, after two years’ gap due to Covid Pandemic, Fatima Charismatic Prayer Group organised a Mega Bible Convent ion and Healing Prayer, at Holy Child School,CIT Road, Kolkata-14. Around 3,000 faithful turned up, from far and near, to listen to the Word of God, praise and worship Him, and participate in Healing Services.Fr George Arackal V.C. -Director,Divine Voice Retreat Centre, Chopra , North Dinajpur was the Chief Preacher . Each day’s programme comprised : Invocation of the Holy Spirit,Reading of short scripture passages, their amplification by Fr Arackal, Holy Eucharist, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On 25th October Bishop Emeritus Salvadore Lobo celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He said every baptized Christian is called upon to preach the Good News. He recalled US President Abraham Lincoln who said that the Bible (the most widely-read book on earth), is the best gift God has given to humans, to understand right from the wrong.
On 26th, Fr Dominic Gomes- Vicar General, Archdiocese of Calcutta spoke on Luke 13:22- 30 where Jesus said: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.... those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” He exhorted the audience to be rock-solid in their faith. On the concluding day’s Eucharist Fr Ramesh Cherian- Director, Auxilium Parish Renewal Centre, said “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24). He felt for Christianity to grow in India more martyrs are needed; and except the Kandhamal (Orissa) carnage, Indian Christians have not faced much persecution as Europe has. Had it been so, Christians in India would have been more than 2.3%now. The gems of wisdom from Fr George Arackal’s engrossing preaching are:
• “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19–20). By praying and reading the Bible we invite His Spirit among us.
• One does not have to be a Christian to follow Christ.Christ is for all.
• We must give up all superstitions – cat crossing the road, ill omen, horse shoe on doorposts for protection.
• To live Christ-centred lives we must forget others’ past faults, and reconcile/renew ourselves to save our souls including those of others, in sync with the Convention’s theme: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isiah 65:17).
• We must cut ourselves off from harmful persons, habits, greed for money, addiction (alcohol, drugs, mobiles, carnal pleasures, etc).
• Jesus served the destitute and the sick irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
• Jesus was totally sinless. Even when the high priests accused Jesus and the mob bayed for his blood, Pontius Pilate declared him faultless. Even then Jesus made the supreme sacrifice by dying on the cross to redeem us from sin – “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).
• Jesus’ mission is to promote Life, not death. On the concluding day, Fr Arackal prayed for the recovery of the sick. He blessed children, students and married couples. Many bore witness that they had recovered from numerous long - standing ailments thanks to Fr Arackal’s powerful intercession. Credit for smoothly organising the event goes to the team work of Fr James - Spiritual Director, Fr Amar Bagh-CSSR Director, Probodh Ray, Richard Gilbert, Subhas Das, Vincent Biswas, Jerome Gomes (Catering In-charge), sisters of Holy Child School for magnanimously offering their school premises and the wonderful choir.
—ByISAACHAROLDGOMES
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