Pune churches to join June 2 prayers to set world record

Pune churches to join June 2 prayers to set world record
- CAMIL PARKHE Saturday, 1 June 2013 - 11:09 AM IST Sakal Times, Pune
Tags: prayer, Bishop, catholics, christian community, Corpus Christi, world record, Pune Camil Parkhe

PUNE: Bishop Thomas Dabre will lead Catholics in Pune diocese in prayers on the feast of Corpus Christi on June 2, as a part of the simultaneous global prayers to be presided over by Pope Francis at the Vatican. The feat is likely to create a world record.

Parishes in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, along with parishes all over the world, are slated to simultaneously hold prayers on that day.

Pope Francis will lead the prayers to mark the feast of the body and blood of Christ at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday evening. In India, churches have been asked to join the prayers on Sunday at 8.30 pm to coincide with the Roman clock (5 pm local time).

Bishop Dabre will celebrate a mass at St Xavier's Church in Pune Camp on June 2 at 5.30 pm, followed by an adoration service at St Anthony's Shrine.

Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) president, Mumbai's Cardinal Oswald Gracias has appealed to Catholics in the country to join in the prayers. The global prayer is also being held to celebrate the ongoing Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council which introduced many reforms in the 2000 year-old church.

The Feast of the Corpus Christi is observed to commemorate Jesus Christ's suffering with bread and wine that symbolise his body and blood.

Apostolic Nuncio, 12 bishops to attend Pune meet

Papal delegate, 12 bishops to attend city meet CAMIL PARKHE Wednesday, August 29, 2012 AT 11:59 AM (IST) Tags: church,   catholic church,   bishops,   conference,   FABC,   christian community,   Pune,   Camil Parkhe To participate in 'Asian conference of new evangelisation' PUNE: In what could be a rare occasion, Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Salvatore Pennacchio, the highest ranking official of the Catholic Church in India, and 12 bishops of various dioceses in the country and Asia, will be in the city next week to attend a conference. The senior members of the church hierarchy will participate in a three-day 'Asian conference of new evangelisation' at the Ishwani Kendra in Vadgaonsheri from September 4 to 6. The apostolic nuncio is also the ex-officio Vatican's ambassador to India. Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC) and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, FABC chairman Thomas Menamparampil and Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre will speak at the inaugural ceremony of the conference on Tuesday morning. The Pune meet is being conducted as an Asian and Indian contribution to the Synod of Bishops which is scheduled to be held in Rome from October 7 to 28, this year. The theme of the synod is 'The new evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith.' The other senior church officials attending the city meet are Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the of Syro-Malabar Church, Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Thottumkal, major archbishop of Catholicos, Syro-Malankara Church, Nagpur archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara, Delhi archbishop Vincent Concessao, Varanasi bishop Raphy Manjaly, Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas, Manila auxiliary bishop Broderick Pabillo. Priests and nuns of various congregations as well as members of the laity will also attend the three-day meet, Fr Joy Thomas, Director of the Ishwani Kendra, has said. The papal delegate will also concelebrate a mass along with the visiting cardinals, archbishops and bishops at St Patrick's Cathedral at 12 noon on September 4. Join Sakal Times on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SakaalTimes

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Comments On 29/08/2012 05:21 PM diago almeida said: Hi Camil It is encourging to see you write in your papers about the imp. events about the Christians and Catholics , I am one of the laity from Pune who will be attending the meet. On 29/08/2012 05:09 PM Fr.Joe Gaikwad,s.j. said: Thanks for the information regarding the conference.

Journey of Fr Gurien Jacquier — a French missionary

Faith and humanity

Sakaal Times

Monday, May 17, 2010 AT 12:00 AM (IST)

Tags: Literature,   book,   Camil Parkhe,   Linda Polman,   missionary

Journalist Camil Parkhe has retraced the journey of Fr Gurien Jacquier — a French missionary, who arrived over a century ago in Ghogargaon, Auranagabad, to sow the first seeds of Christianity there in the book Fr Gurien Jacquier of Ghogargaon. The revered missionary made that place his home and did his best to uplift the downtrodden in the region.

Parkhe offers anecdotes about the missionary’s early life and how his contemporaries portrayed him. There are also chapters on missionaries, like Fr Forel and Archbishop Doering. Along with some rare photographs of the missionaries and places, the book tells us how Fr Jacquier dealt with the prevalent social malaises in Marathwada — the exploitation of the tamasha artistes, and the humiliation of the dalits. In all, it is an interesting book about faith, humanity and a noble soul.

Fr Gurien Jacquier of Ghogargaon

By: Camil Parkhe

Publisher: SFS

Pages: 144

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Comments On 31-05-2010 20:00:50 robert Das said: hi Camil, It's great to hear ab the review on the catholic Missionary. It shows ur love fo the Missionary, and a tribute to ur journalistic talent. I must say that u have matured as a Journalistic with a substance. i am proud of u. Keep it up. waiting to meet and relax with u, or come over to Sangamner. love, robert sj. On 5/31/2010 10:17 AM Joseph Pithekar said: Dear Camil, Congrats. It is a wonderful service. The missionaries were not interested only in converting the masses or the untouchables. They were interested in making them bette human beings. this could be frihgtening for the prejudiced indians. Hope many of the readers will think differently. j m piithekar. On 5/30/2010 6:40 PM Rahul P said: This is books gives very good insight to the christians missionary work in maharasthra - people who have heard the name of Fr Gurien Jacquier but didn't have much information about how he worked in this region being a foriegner &lived with common people. I have been looking for this kind of information for a very long time. I would recommend this to all the readers & my best wishes to the author to come up with many more books.. Thanks Rahul

Khadki's St Ignatius Church set for Vailankanni feast

		Khadki church set for Vailankanni feast CAMIL PARKHE Sakal Times Monday, August 27, 2012 AT 11:10 AM (IST) Tags: church,   St Ignatius Chuch,   Vailankanni feast,   Mother Mary,   Khadki,  Pune,   Camil Parkhe PUNE: St Ignatius Church in Khadki is all set for the 10-day long novena in honour of Our Lady of Vailankanni, commencing on Wednesday. Six bishops from different dioceses are scheduled to concelebrate the masses at the church during the novena and the feast of Mother Mary. A huge pandal accommodating around 5,000 faithfuls has been erected near the 135-year-old church for the novena and the feast. Bishop Emeritus Valerian D'Souza will hoist the flag and concelebrate the mass on the first day of the novena on August 29 at 6.30 pm. Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre will be the main celebrant at the mass in Marathi on August 31 and also at the feast celebrations on September 8. The other bishops concelebrating the evening masses during the novena are Nashik diocese Bishop Lourdes Daniel (Hindi language, September 1), Belgaum diocese Bishop Peter Machado (September 2), Sindhudurg diocese Bishop Alwyn Barreto (Konkani, September 4) and Aurangabad diocese Bishop Edwin Colaco (September 5). Masses will also be held every day at 12 noon, followed by blessing of the sick. This is the 40th year that St Ignatius Church is celebrating the feast of Our lady of Vailankanni, the church's parish priest Fr Clement Raj told Sakal Times. Join Sakal Times on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SakaalTimes

SWaCH, waste pickers body, takes its struggle to citizens

SWaCH takes its struggle to citizens

CAMIL PARKHE

Sakal Times

Saturday, August 25, 2012 AT 05:17 PM (IST)

Tags: PCMC,   SwaCH,   garbage,   waste pickers,   Pimpri,   Camil Parkhe

Launches signature drive to save jobs of wastepickers

PIMPRI: SWaCh, which has terminated its contract of garbage collection within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) jurisdiction citing unfair treatment, has now launched a signature drive. It is approaching citizens to ensure protection of livelihood of its waste picker members.

SWaCh, a cooperative society of waste collectors, was appointed by the PCMC for door-to-door waste collection in A and D wards. The agency issued a notice to terminate the contract alleging that the PCMC was not interested in continuing its eco-friendly garbage collection model. The civic body is now planning to appoint a new agency for the purpose in the two wards.

In an open letter, SWaCH has said that it had taken taken up garbage collection with an understanding that its waste pickers in the remaining B and C wards would be given the jobs after a year.

The agency alleged that the PCMC betrayed it and tendered out the work to another agency, BVG Group, on different terms. Pointing out that the BVG model does not require collection of user fees.

SWaCH says that the civic body has created a situation in which some citizens have to pay for waste collection and others do not.

The PCMC had recently issued notice to SWaCH about giving minimum wages and other benefits to its members.

SWaCH said its struggle is not over after terminating the contract. "We have to feed and clothe our children, we have to educate them. So we need work. We will approach the same officials who have issued us a notice. We will ensure that they protect our livelihood with the new contractor they appoint and ensure they give all the benefits," the letter says.

It has asked citizens to sign the pamphlet, condemning the PCMC's discriminatory approach in garbage collection in two parts of the city and demanding the integration of the displaced waste pickers in any waste collection model introduced by the civic body.

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A slice of Pune’s history Saint Crispin's Church, Karve Road CAMIL PARKHE Sakal Times Wednesday, November 16, 2011 AT 11:56 AM (IST) Tags: PMC,   PMC election,   church,   Saint Crispin's Church,   karve road,  Christian,   Pune,   Camil Parkhe,   sakal times A few metres away from the busy Nal Stop corner on Karve Road stands Saint Crispin's Church, which has been a mute witness to various events that have unfolded in this area over the past 100 years. It is the only church in western parts of the city having over 100 years history. A majority of the century-old churches in the city are based in Pune Camp, Wanowrie and Khadki where the British regime had military establishments. Many new churches have sprung up in eastern parts of the city including Yerwada, Nagar Road, Vadgaonsheri during the past few decades, following shifting of the Christian population from Pune Camp and also migration of Christians from the neighbouring districts to these sub-urban areas. In contrast, there are a few churches in Kothrud and other western parts  of the city as the number of  Christian families is comparatively less in these areas. However this church, named after the 13th century patron saint of cobblers, was built in 1901-02 by the public works department at the behest of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, a religious congregation. It was designed by Comper, a British architect who specialised in the restoration and renovation of old churches. The Society of saint John the Evangelist had raised a subscription of $3,000 for construction of  the church. The structure initially served as the place of worship for nuns belonging to the Convent of Saint Mary the Virgin, having headquarters at Wantage, and priests of  the  Society of Saint John the Evangelist, with headquarters at Oxon in the United Kingdom. Soon after the church was constructed, a plague struck Pune. The Society of Saint John the Evangelist then opened an orphanage for boys, who had lost their parents and relatives in the epidemic. The orphanage was closed later due to shortage of manpower. However, it was reopened in 1940 as a Rescue and Preventive Home for Girls and Women under the Diocesan Council of Bombay. The property of over six acres and 20 guntha of land was handed over to the Convent of Saint Mary the Virgin in 1951.  The facade of the church, its external and as well internal structures are very special.  The church has indeed stood the test of the time. The structure measures about 3,000 square feet and is built in the Gothic architectural styles. The uniqueness of the century-old structure is manifested as soon as one enters the church. At the centre is the sanctuary and six chapels in small appendages along the larger sides. There is also a small gallery from where one can view the sanctuary.  The church's design provides for adequate ventilation and light and the stone construction also makes it cool even during hot summer season. Tichnor Charles, secretary of St Crispin's Home, said that some years ago, a new complex for St. Crispin's Home was constructed near the church. It comprises a residential child care facility, a primary and secondary school and a vocational training centre. UNEXPECTED VISITOR St Crispin’s Church complex was in the news some years back when a leopard strayed into this complex located in one of the busiest areas of the city. The leopard was spotted relaxing on a tree over a room. The wild animal was captured by the forest personnel late in the evening after it was tranquilised and captured. SPEAK TO US Sakal Times has launched a campaign, focussing on various parts of the city to highlight both positive and negative aspects that affect the lives of citizens in these areas. If you would like Sakal Times to pay attention to any particular issue or aspect in your area, please e-mail to reporters@sakaaltimes.com, giving your name and contact number (which will be kept confidential). We will get in touch with you. Alternatively, you can also write to The Editor, Sakal Times, 27 Narveer Tanaji Wadi, Shivajinagar, Pune 411 005. Photo Gallery

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Comments On 18/11/2011 12:28 PM vishwas patole said: Dear Kamil, God bless you & your family, we people are staying in Pune city, but yet we do not know details about it, thanks for good information thanks vishwas patole

Maharashtra is at a standstill

State is at a standstill

CAMIL PARKHE

Sakal Times

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/20120605/5311163883781370098.htm

Tuesday, June 05, 2012 AT 08:13 PM (IST)

Tags: Bihar,   Nitish Kumar

The recent reports that Bihar has recorded the highest, 13 per cent, growth rate among the states needs to be welcomed not only by the people in Bihar but also other states where local politicians have been crying hoarse over the influx of Biharis in their respective states. Bihar has experienced a new lease of life after Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) took over as chief minister, ending the over 15-year-old rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Maharashtra, the leading state in the country, has experienced a strong resentment against the presence of Biharis and people from other northern states after Raj Thackeray broke away from the Shiv Sena and used the issue of "outsiders" to create political space for his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. When Bal Thackeray floated his Shiv Sena in the 1960s, he too had made the south Indians in Mumbai the targets and entrenched himself as the voice of the Marathi people, especially in Mumbai. Today, when Raj Thackeray has been praising the Narendra Modi-led Gujarat model of development and Bihar is progressing fast, Maharashtra is fast losing the race to retain its lea in development.

Almost all parts of the state are facing load shedding for several hours a day. The plight of farmers and entrepreneurs in rural sectors is worse. They face power shutdown when electricity is most needed. The economic growth in these areas has virtually come to a halt and yet there are no sign of measures to mitigate the situation in near future. The power scarcity is expected to create an alarming situation within a few years and the ruling group leaders and those in the opposition are refusing to acknowledge the writing on the wall. Some major cities like Aurangabad receive drinking water after an interval of two days while towns like Shevgaon in Ahmednagar district get water after four days. Shevgaon is not far away from the Jayakawadi reservoir, state’s largest irrigation project. Even then, residents of such towns are considered luckier than people in remote villages, who just do not have any source of clean drinking water. This indeed is a sorry state of affairs for an economically developed state.

What is worse is that none of the political parties and leaders -- ruling or opposition -- has taken up these issues in the interest of the masses or tried to exploit them to their own political advantage. All politicians take up people’s issues and hit the streets only during the state or the civic polls. They return to their cabins in New Delhi or Mumbai as soon as the elections are over, even before counting begins. In the past, leaders like Sharad Pawar, Pramod Mahajan, Gopinath Munde or even Ramdas Athavale had undertaken statewide tours, mobilising public opinion on  people’s issues. This had helped them to be on first-name terms with local leaders and eventually become a leader of the masses. The new breed of politicians has not tried that sort of approach. They have never tried to be with the masses to really get to know their problems. They usually do not know the pulse of the masses.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani recently criticised the UPA government for the various crises faced by the country but lamented that even the BJP work has been disappointing. The same can be said about the Congress-NCP front in Maharashtra. The front has been elected to rule for the third consecutive term only because the opposition parties have miserably failed to expose the ruling group’s failures on economic, industrial and other fronts. The state has not witnessed any major development in power generation, industrial growth or on removal of the regional development imbalance. The ruling politicians have remained steadfastly apathetic to the people’s problems while the opposition leaders have not been much different.

The recent BJP executive meeting saw Gopinath Munde on the dais after long. Although a mass leader in his party, Munde has been keeping a low profile after Nitin Gadkari became the party president three years back. The voices of other opposition leaders, including the Shiv Sena, are heard only when the state legislative session is on, or when elections are round the corner. Their agenda is confined to the protests in the House and statements at media conferences.

Raj Thackeray has rarely moved out of Mumbai to keep himself abreast of the state situation. Nor is he monitoring the affairs of the state legislature and civic bodies, where his party members have been elected. The leaders don't realise that Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee had to toil hard for nearly two decades before they could oust the ruling parties in their states.

The lacklustre performance of all-party politicians is ominous for the future of the state. In the face of intense competition from other states, Maharashtra will have to strive extra hard to attract investment and maintain its lead in development. And everyone must remember that even the basic needs of the entire population are not being met at present.