Marathi book on Fransalian missionary Fr Jacquier

News published in MISSIONARIES OF St. FRANCIS DE SALES (Fransalians) Pune Provincial website, January 2009

Release of Book on Fr. Jacquier Gurien msfs
30th December 2008, on the day of the Final Profession of 18 of our brothers from Fransalians Seminary a book on Fr. Jacquier Guerin of Ghogargaon was released by Fr. Mario D’souza msfs in the presence Fr. Sebastian Annaikandathil the provincial of Nagpur Province and large number of confreres and guests. Fr. Mario said that normally it would be someone from the Congregation who would write about its history or about its members, but today it is someone who has been touched by the great missionary work done by the congregation who writes about an msfs and about the congregation. It only goes to show the appreciation and the acknowledgment of the good that we as msfs have done, and are doing. Mr. Camil Parkhe a renowned journalist from Pune Sakaal Times expounds the history and the mystery of this great saintly Fransalian Jacquierbaba. He attempts to narrate objectively the spiritual journey of Jacquierbaba from France to Ghogargaon and how he worked untiringly for the up-liftment of the people of Marathawada. This book is certainly a source book of inspiration based on the life and the spirit of Fr. Jacquier Guerin a committed Fransalian Missionary and Visionary. Our Province has sponsored the complete printing and the publication of this book in Marathi as part of our province commitment during this Salesian Year. We thank Mr. Camil Parkhe for his commitment and dedication in bringing out a book on a Fransalian.

Catholic Church's marriage preparation course

GET TUTORED NOW BEFORE TYING THE WEDDING KNOT…
Camil Parkhe
Monday, March 02nd, 2009 AT 11:03 AM
Tags: Christian youths, marry, widding kont, preparation course
Youths attend a marriage preparation course which concluded at Nav Sadhana hall in the city on Sunday. The Catholic Church has made the two-day course mandatory
Pune: Christian youths planning to marry in the next few months this year will have to secure a certificate of having attended a marriage preparation course before they face the altar and say ‘I Do’.
The two-day course for the would-be brides and bridegrooms deals with basic lessons in relationship between husband and wife, intimacy between the two, sex education, responsible parenthood and family planning.
A batch of 80 boys and girls who planned to get married during the next few months attended the course in preparation for their marital life, held at Nav Sadhana Diocesan Pastoral Centre on Tadiwala Road on Saturday and Sunday.
The Catholic Church has made the marriage preparation course as mandatory for marriages solemnised in churches. The Vatican has directed bishops all over the world to organise the courses with the help of experts.
“You may wonder how we celibate priests can guide you about marital life,” said Pune Bishop Valerian D’Souza in his inaugural address on Saturday.
“But many times, people seek our counselling on drug addiction of one of their family members or about some family crisis. We are here to help you to start your married life, so that you are equipped to face the challenges ahead,” he said.
“The Church conducts these courses so that the youths know certain issues, problems and difficulties likely to be faced by newly wed couples and how to face them,” said Fr Roque Alphonso, course coordinator. The Catholic Church does not recognise divorces although it does annul marriages in some rare cases.
“We encourage the would-be husband and wife to attend the course together. The course also involves thought sharing of the two,” said Fr Alphonso. Often the course also provides the first opportunity for the boy and girl to talk to each other, he said.
Except two lectures by the clergy, all the other lectures during the course are given by married couples. Dr Noella Godinho, medical administrator of Sahyadri Hospital in Hadaspsar, guides the youths on sex education, causes of infertility and natural family planning while her husband, Philip, speaks on sexuality, intimacy, the myths and reality of living together.
“The course content is good. It offers insights into many issues related to married life,” said Ajit Waghmare from Sahakarnagar who attended the course along with his fiancée, Pradnya, from Nashik. These courses are held at Navsadhana every two or three months in English, Hindi and Marathi. “The boys and girls come for the course just to secure the mandatory certificate but while going home, they are always happy that they attended it,” says Fr Alphonso.