Parish Bulletin

All Souls’ Day – A Time of Remembrance (2024)

All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2nd, is a sacred day for us as Christians to remember and pray for the souls of our loved ones who have passed away. It’s a day when we come together to honor their memory and pray for their eternal peace in God’s embrace. The tradition of All Souls’ Day dates back to the early Church, rooted in the belief that the faithful departed, especially those in purgatory, can benefit from our prayers.

Historically, the Church has set aside this day for us to offer prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for the souls of the deceased. The practice of remembering the dead, however, stretches back even further to pre-Christian times. Early Christians adopted and transformed these customs into a powerful way to show our love and support for those who have gone before us. All Souls’ Day complements All Saints’ Day on November 1st, which celebrates the lives of the saints in heaven, by focusing on the souls still in need of our prayers for their full union with God.

On All Souls’ Day, we reflect on the communion of saints — the unity of the Church triumphant (those in heaven), the Church militant (those on earth), and the Church suffering (those in purgatory). Together, we pray for the souls in purgatory, trusting in God’s mercy to lead them into eternal light.

Mass Schedule for All Saints Day and All Souls Day 2024:

1st November 2024 – Friday (All Saints Day)
6:30 AM – Don Bosco
7:00 PM – Church Site

2nd November 2024 – Saturday (All Souls Day)
6:30 AM – Don Bosco
7:30 AM – Church Site
4:30 PM – Church Site

Mass Intentions will be read half an hour before the 4:30 PM Mass at the Church Site.
Please note, the 7:00 PM Mass will be celebrated as Sunday Mass with Sunday’s Liturgy.

Provincial Savio Silveira’s Time with Our Parish

On October 4th, 2024, our parish had the honor of welcoming Provincial Savio Silveira for an evening that will be remembered for years to come. The day began with the Provincial celebrating the 7:00 PM Mass. His warm and personal approach extended after the Mass as he greeted each parishioner individually, taking time to connect with everyone.

Later that evening, a special meeting was arranged with the PPC Members and the youth of the parish. The meeting was an opportunity for us to ask questions, share thoughts, and receive guidance from the Provincial. His insights were both encouraging and thought-provoking, reminding us of the importance of staying rooted in our mission while remaining open to new opportunities for growth. What stood out most was his humor and relatability, which made the gathering feel more like a friendly conversation than a formal meeting. He genuinely connected with the community, offering wisdom that resonated with everyone present.

During the meeting, we were also proud to showcase the different ministries and activities that define our parish. From our vibrant youth group to our committed choir, the Provincial was genuinely impressed by the passion and dedication of our members. He praised our outreach programs and community events, which have helped foster fellowship and support within our parish and beyond.

The visit was not just a formal event but an uplifting experience that reminded us of the strength and unity of our parish. The Provincial’s presence was a reaffirmation of our shared values, and it left us motivated to continue our mission with renewed energy and commitment.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this visit a success. It was a day filled with warmth, inspiration, and joy, and we look forward to many more years of growth and connection in our beloved parish.

Join Us for the Novena in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We are excited to invite you to join us at Mary Help of Christians Church, Naigaon East, as we celebrate the Novena in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This sacred Novena will take place from August 30th to September 8th, 2024, each day highlighting a different aspect of Our Lady’s life and virtues.

Throughout the Novena, various parish groups, including the Sunday School, Senior Citizens, Youth, and different classes, will animate the celebrations, bringing a unique and vibrant spirit to each gathering. Our priests will lead us in solemn Eucharistic celebrations, reflections, and prayers, fostering a deeper connection with our faith and devotion to Mary.

We encourage all parishioners to participate in this spiritual journey, offering thanks and seeking guidance from our Blessed Mother. Below is the detailed schedule for each day’s theme, animation group, choir, and celebrant.

We look forward to coming together as a community in prayer and reflection during this blessed time.

See the schedule below for specific dates and themes.

Celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Our Novena

Feast of St. John Marie Vianney – August 4, 2024

Our parish joyfully celebrated the feast of St. John Marie Vianney on Sunday, August 4, 2024. The day began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, followed by a special program to honor our priests for their unwavering support and selfless service. The event featured heartfelt performances by members of our Sunday School, Senior Citizens, and Youth, who expressed their gratitude and appreciation. It was a beautiful morning filled with love and community, making it a truly memorable occasion.

Gospel Band Event of 2024: The Power Outage That Couldn’t Dim Our Faith

Gathered under the roof of Mary Help of Christians Parish in Naigaon East, the faithful congregated for an evening of spiritual nourishment and communal celebration – the Gospel Band Event of 2024.

Organized by the vibrant youth group known as Y.M.H.C, this event served as a testament to the parish’s commitment to fostering faith, unity, and worship.

The evening commenced with an unforeseen challenge as the power outage threatened to derail the scheduled program. However, the dedicated youth group and the entire band team, exemplified remarkable composure and leadership. Together, they demonstrated unity and resolve, navigating through the challenging situation with patience and unwavering faith, while collectively encouraging everyone to persevere in praising the Lord.

With minimal instruments that could function without electricity, the congregation, undeterred by the darkness, joined forces with the singers, raising their voices in song and prayer, transforming the setback into an opportunity for collective worship. As they improvised with their phone flashlights, the atmosphere became charged with a sense of unity and devotion.

After approximately 40 minutes, the power was restored, prompting a collective sigh of relief from everyone present. With the venue once again illuminated, the Gospel Band took the stage, igniting the atmosphere with their inspiring melodies and heartfelt lyrics that resonated with the praises of the Lord.

A highlight of the evening was the deeply moving testimonies shared by Mrs. Veena Noronha, Bro Raymond, Mrs. Christaline Pinto, Dennis Borges (Youth), and Mr. Beni Menezes from the parish, who had all experienced God’s healing touch during challenging periods in their lives. Through their stories, we are reminded that even in the darkest moments, God is at work, orchestrating miracles and guiding us through the tunnels of struggle. Their journeys inspire us to hold onto faith, knowing that just as they emerged from their challenges into the light, so too shall we find our way through our own trials.

Towards the end of the event, Fr. Dominic Martis shared some heartfelt words with everyone, reminding us of the profound impact of faith and the strength found in unity. He emphasized how the transformative power of music and worship can bring us closer to God, leaving everyone feeling deeply touched by his message.

The Gospel Band, comprising talented singers including Roystern, Olinda, Pooja, Elaine, Rachel, Joslin, Serena, Russell, Lareina, Preeti, Denis, Cyneka, Clara, Jessica, Joshua, Michael, Beni, and Elijah, delivered a captivating performance that uplifted the souls of all in attendance. Their voices, accompanied by the skilled musicianship of Cassin Veigas, Dennis Matta, Bianca Hendricks, Elijah Baretto, and Roystern Dsouza, filled the venue with an atmosphere of reverence and joy.

Adding to the dynamic energy of the event, dancers Gail, Annya, Conception, Joyce, Valeni, and Shalen graced the stage for several songs, infusing the performance with their vibrant movements and spirit.

Behind the scenes, the success of the event was made possible by the tireless efforts of the sound team, led by Michael Pillai and Jonathan Kaikey. Additionally, the unwavering dedication of the core youth team – Kevin, Melroy, Shalen, Jessica, and Beni – played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event.

Special recognition is also extended to Dennis Borges, Amorio, Lourdinha, Viren, Aditya, Ivo, Bhavik, Tushar, Valen, Don and his entire team whose invaluable contributions were instrumental in creating a memorable evening. A heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Jaden, acknowledging the efforts of all involved in making the event a resounding success.

The Gospel Band Event was more than simply an evening of music and testimonies; it was a live example of overpowering the forces of darkness by continuing to glorify God in the face of hardship. As the power outage threatened to overshadow the event, people’s steadfast faith shone through, resulting in power restoration and the continuation of the program. It was truly an evening of spiritual sustenance, social celebration, and a reaffirmation of the parish’s dedication to developing faith, togetherness, and worship.

Written by Cyneka D’sa

Life in the fast lane

It is said that “one run can change your day; many runs can change your life”. This quote can be perfectly said about Mr. Eugene Quadros our very own parishioner of Naigon. Mr. Quadros started training himself in athletics from his childhood. 

His sport teacher encouraged him to take part in the running race in the school there and then he realized the talent within him. Mr. Quadros has won over 50 marathons across the states. Mr.Quadros created a Guinness book of world record in 2016 by climbing the Satara hill marathon which he completed in 44minutes. The very recent record he created in November 2020 by running from Nalasopara to Nariman point this 100km long marathon he completed in 10hrs. 26min. 31sec. beside these major titles he has won many prestigious marathons such as Tata Mumbai marathon, Standard charted marathon, Vasai- Virar Marathon etc. He has not kept himself limited only to Maharashtra but has also participated in Marathon organised in other states such as Gujarat and Goa.

He says that “nothing comes easy in life” he has dedicated his entire life to exercise and continues to inspire many in this field. At times he has to compromise his other commitments in order to complete the daily quota of his exercise, work becomes worship for him. Mr. Quadros is passionate about his exercise and believes in sharing God given talents with the people who are interested in learning. At present he is training couple of students who are aspiring to join the Indian army. His goal in life is to inspire and help others to achieve the great milestone.  

 

Beside his commitment to his exercise he has other hobbies such as listening to music, going for a long drive, collecting stones etc. He has travelled over 22 times from Mumbai to Goa on bike. He has the collection of mineral stones stored at his house. When asked about his advice to young people he says that exercise is as important as essential things in life such as food, drink and sleep. He also added that people realize the importance of exercise very late in their life.

The secret to his achievements is “practice makes a man perfect” that is what he has done in the past and wishes to do in the future. Winston Churchill once said “success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts”. And I think Mr. Quadros lives by this principle. He wishes to keep the same commitment and dedication till his last breath. Even today at the age of 64 he runs like a youngster or may be better than them, this is the greatest compliment one can ever get. Today if you search his name on Google you get see the image of Mr. Eugene Quadros. Even Google has taken the note of his success. We wish him all the more success, good health and wait to see him reaching even greater heights in the near future.

 

 

All the best Mr. Eugene for your upcoming marathons!!!!!