January 29th was a red-letter day for the Indian and Sri Lankan community, as we gathered together at St. John the Baptist Parish to celebrate the beginning of 2017as the “Year of St. Joseph Vaz” which was declared recently in Sri Lanka.The Eucharist was organized by the Bay Area Joseph NaikVaz Institute, Berkeley, USA. It was a privileged moment for me to take part, share and witness this celebration among many others. The heroic, angelic and saintly life of our beloved founder Raymond F.C. Mascarenhas inspired the faithful. The celebration was intended to recall and relive the exemplary life of our Indian and Shri Lankan candidates for the sainthood, namely Indian Ven. Fr. Agnelo de Souza, SFX, The Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas, the Sri Lankan “Martyrs of Mannar,” and Thomas Cardinal Cooray, OMI.
The Mass was presided by Fr. Joseph Thang Nguyen, CSSR, and concelebrated by Rev. Shantharaj Thomas S. J. and Rev. Francis Fernandes S. J.Fr. Shantharaja doctoral student of Jesuit School of Theology, preached an inspiring and thought-provokinghomily based on the day’s readings, with a special focus on the “Beatitudes.” In his preaching, heexpounded the deeper meaning of beatitudes connecting the life, mission, and faith dimension of these saints and the life of our beloved founder. He called upon the gathered community to draw inspiration from these saintly persons, who lived these beatitudes in their lives and to attain holiness in life. After the mass, many people stopped by and said many appreciative words about our founder, especially about his interest in educating the girl child, work among the poor and the present ministry in the field of pastoral, educational, medical, social and ecclesial fields across Asia, Africa and Europe.
During the mass, the gathered community stormed heaven to intercede for the speedy recovery of Rahul Pinto from a brain injury and operation through the intercession of St. Joseph Vaz,Ven. Fr. Agnelo and Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas. The joy of this celebration culminated with asumptuous meal at Indo-Nephali “Aangan” Restaurant.
-Sr. Shalet Mendonca BS
Berkeley, USA
