Mira Road Church Decennial Celebrations Held with Inter Religious Dialogue
News and Pics: Ancy Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 18: St Joseph’s Church, Mira Road held its decennial celebrations in a unique way. To mark this great event it organized an inter-religious dialogue to build peace and harmony among the people of different religions was held in the open grounds of the church premises on Sunday January 17.
Pandit Prahalladacharya R Nagarahalli, Kulapathi of Sarvajna Vidyapeeta at Virar, Maulana Syed Ather Ali, President of All India Ulema Association, member of Muslim Personal Law Board, member of Milli council, general secretary of Darul Uloom Mohammadia, Giani Sardar Satnam Singh, Head Granti at Gurudwara, Guru Nanak Darbar, Borivali, Dr Gilbert D’Lima, professor at St Pius X , Goregaon, member of the CBCI Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue participated.
Dr Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, bishop of Vasai, Fr Archibald Gonsalves, Carmalite Provincial, Dr Dominic Charles Vas, parish priest, Fr Michael Morris Shenoy, first parish priest of the church and also the superior of the community and Francis Araujo, vice-president of the parish pastoral council were also present on the dais.
Hindu Leader Pandit Prahalladacharya R Nagarahalli said that “Hindu religion is for the development of human religion. No religion preaches harm and only promotes harmony of religion. ‘Dharma’ means the process for the development of physical, mental and spiritual development of human being. The one that gives happiness to the simple people and good natured people too is Dharma’. Hence let us love each other and give happiness to our fellow being and work for the security of people of all religion.”
Muslim leader Maulana Syed Ather Ali said that “Islam speaks about peace to humanity. If a religious leader of any religion instructs his follower to harm the person of other religion or criticizes other religion is not the true follower of his religion. Such people misuse their religion. Let the events like 9/11 or 26/11 may not occur anytime anywhere in the world. Every religion speaks of equal respect to all.”
Sikh Giani Sardar Satnam Singh said that “We may be of different religion but the God is one. We may call him in different names but he is one."
Christian leader Dr Gilbert D’Lima said that “God is the loving father. We all are brothers and sisters suppose to live with peace and harmony. We need to share with one other the gift of creation. The kingdom of God is fellowship, service, sacrifice, love and peace that is proclaimed by all religions. Terrorists have no religion. Indian culture is nothing but unity in diversity.”
Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado honoured Dr Sanjeev Ganesh Naik, the elected member of parliament of local Thane constituency, Gilbert Mendonca the first elected member of legislative assembly of Mira-Bhayandar, Merlyn D’Sa, first Catholic parish and woman corporator from Mira road parish on the occasion.
Accepting the honours Dr Sanjeev Ganesh Naik said that “I do not work for the people of particular religion but always work for human being.”
Speaking on the occasion, archbishop Felix Anthony Machado said that “Jesus never considered anyone as his enemy. He went with the people of all religions. Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi always respected people of all religion as brothers and sisters. God created every human being in his images and likeness. Thus not only the people of one religion but the people of all religion are created in his image and likeness. The second Vatican council also instructs all Catholics to respect the people of all religion.”
Releasing the souvenir, Fr Archbald Gonsalves, the Carmelite Provincial said that “Cities like Rome never change. They look the same always. But in just ten years Mira Road is changed a lot. He desired more changes among Mira Road people to spread the message of love and peace in the locality”
Parish priest DrDominic Charles Vas began the programme with the welcome address and the introduction to the programme. “India which was known for its spirit of tolerance and spirit of accommodation is of late slowly becoming divisive on the basis of religious beliefs. A few recent incidents of religious fanaticism and violence which have affected the lives of thousands of people reflect the above facts. Hence the need of the hour is inter-religious dialogue. Dialogue is the best way for mutual understanding and co-operation in human relations as well as for peaceful coexistence among all the people,” he said.
The celebrations started at 4.00 pm with the reception of Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado at the main arch of the church. It is followed by the get-together with the archbishop MP Sanjeev Naik and the parish leaders in the community hall. Then the archbishop along with the MP, parish priest and the provincial inaugurated the newly built Infant Jesus Shrine. It was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and inter-religious dialogue at 7.00 pm.
Narendra Mehta, mayor of Mira Bhayandar Mahanagarpalika, municipal commissioner Shiv Murti Naik, Sr Jessica, superior, Holy Cross Convent, Infant Jesus Shrine and Chapel designer Alphonse, Ram Bhat - architect and engineer of RLB, Peter Almeida, social worker, Ganesham, the contractor, Gilbert Marceline Baptist of Malaika group, Norbert and Violet Mascharenhas, Maxim Mathias, Bhagavati Sharma, NCP corporator, Jayanth Patel, NCP corporator, Raviraj Suvarna, Tulunadu Samaj president, Ashok Karkera, Shanishvara Seva Samiti president, R Shetty, Bunts Sangh president and Prof Fr S M Michael, professor of Indain culture department were honoured.
Assistant Parish priest Fr Ivan R D’Souza gave an impressive powerpoint presentation about the history and the activities of the church. He informed that till now there are 5,80 registered families with the total population of 25,000 people.
Parish clergy Fr Dominic C Vas, parish priest, Fr Michael Shenoy, assistant priest, Fr Deepak K J Thomas, assistant priest Fr John B Pinto, assistant priest Fr Ivan R D’Souza, assistant priest, Br Ajay Nazareth and Parish Pastoral Council vice-president Francis Araujo and secretary Sophia D’Sa among others were also present.
There were splendid dances and mime presentation explaining the need for communal harmony. As part of entertainment programme, students of St Joseph School presented welcome dance, folk dance and Jai Ho number. Natasha and group performed mime act. A unique presentation, the dance symbolizing oath taking was performed by the students of Holy Cross School. The parish choir sang beautifully for the Eucharist and also for the prayer song of the programme.
The programme concluded with all the people lighting candles in their hands and taking oath with the following wards. “We join hands to save the earth and our environment not only for ourselves but also for our posterity. We shall uphold the values that promote justice and equality for all. We will collaborate all movements and efforts towards communal harmony and build peace in our neighbourhood.”
There was a huge gathering that ended with National Anthem. Ronald Vaz compered the programme.