AMAR # 339 SJTC celebrates UNITY OCTAVE WITH A DIFFERENCE

The Sisters and Candidates in SJTC, Lonavla celebrated a ‘Week of Prayer for Unity 2018’ from 18 to 25 January 2018.

Theme: “Father, may they all be one” Jn.17:10

Besides traditional prayers for unity among all the denominations of Christians, we prayed specially for unity among all Indian citizens of different faiths and cultures.

On 18^th January the Candidates along with Sr. Kavita Noronha the candidates participated in the Eucharist celebrated in Syro Malabar rite in St. Mary’s Church Lonavla. This gave a practical knowledge to the candidates about the different rites of the celebration of liturgy.

18-20 January 2018: ‘Diverse Beliefs – We are One’: Candidates in twos made a study of different religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Bahai, Zorastrianism and Sikhism; and they gave a talk on them. Thus they enlightened the community about their beliefs, founders, holy books and the main teachings. We prayed for unity among all the religions in our nation.

On the 20^th we also had Holy Eucharist for Unity celebrated by Fr. Valerian Pereira sdb. In his homily he said that Unity has become a challenge today because we have forgotten God’s love, that he sent His Son Jesus to us out of love, and that the Holy Spirit unites us in love.

21-23 January 2018: ‘Diverse Cultures – We are One’: Candidates in groups cooked the traditional food of different regions such as bhakar, payasam, panpole, puranpoli and the like. They also gave the community some knowledge of a few traditional celebrations of their places.

In SJTC we belong to the same faith, our traditions and culture are different. But we are One.